BRAIN IMBALANCE SYNDROME LINKED TO RANGE OF DISORDERS NEW ZEALAND CHIROPRACTORS TOLD


Attention deficit hyperactivity, autism, dyslexia and a range of other neurobehavioral and developmental disorders may be due to an imbalance between the two hemispheres of the brain, the national conference of the New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association was told yesterday (19th May).
Speaking at the association’s meeting in Auckland, Dr. Robert Melillo, chiropractor and former chairman of the American Board of Chiropractic Neurology told the meeting: `Traditionally clinicians have viewed these disorders as separate entities, however advancements in evaluative capabilities and diagnostic imaging have revealed striking similarities so that these disorders may be considered points on a common spectrum of Neurobehavioral/Developmental Disorders.’

Dr Melillo, author of the best-selling books Disconnected Kids and Reconnected Kids explains: `These conditions all have in common an underlying functional imbalance or under-connectivity of electrical (brain) activity within and between the right and left sides of the brain. As a result, the brain literally becomes desynchronized or “out of rhythm‟. Where the child falls on the spectrum is dependent on the severity of the imbalance and the specific regions effected within the brain, which may result in many, if not all, of the common symptoms of these disorders.’

Dr Melillo an internationally known lecturer, author, educator, researcher and clinician in the areas of neurology, rehabilitation, neuropsychology and neurobehavioral disorders in children who founded the Brain Balance Programme with over 20 centres across the USA believes that chiropractic along with other therapies has an important role to play in restoring brain synchronicity through improving motor skills and posture.

He says: `Along with other treatment programmes a series of simple exercises can be taught which can be done at home to stimulate one side of the brain more than the other. Differences in muscle tone can be improved by gentle manipulation of the spine.’

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