by Dr. Greg Steiner D.C., C.Ac, Dr. David Zhang, O.M.D., D.C., L.Ac. and Dr. Robert Louder, D.C. C.Ac.

With Allergy season in full swing, your child’s behavior and academic performance could be affected. The following case study provides an interesting look into this issue.

“Tiffany” was smart enough – her intelligence wasn’t the issue. She played soccer and had a big interest in animals, but she was in real danger of repeating the 3rd grade. The endless cough, congestion and itching had been much worse this year. When her first doctor had diagnosed her as “having allergies” the family’s fear had been confirmed, and so far none of the usual interventions helped all that much. Tiffany’s parents felt powerless and afraid for her; they could see the developing pattern of not finishing things, “zoning out,” and too many absences that could predict failure in school and at work. Tiffany’s parents needed other approaches to help their daughter.

Her Exam
During her exam we learned that like many allergic children “Tiffany” showed signs of food allergies; she showed high sensitivity to sugars, yet not to the common food dyes that affect other allergic children. A number of hypersensitivities to things in her daily environment also tested positive. The shape of her head showed something unusual as well; when looked at from the top, an expert eye could notice that Tiffany’s head looked “twisted” and that her right ear was set unusually far forward compared to her left ear. Examination with painless acupuncture showed a pattern of excess and deficiency in several of her energy channels. From these findings and others we prepared Tiffany’s treatment plan.  We worked with Tiffany’s parents to prescribe some simple but necessary homework. We all confidently got to work, and hoped for the best….

Results
By the end of the second week of care, Tiffany’s parents noticed two key things: she was calmer around the house and expressed a greater interest in playing outside. Her food sensitivities had become much less of an issue and the results of her care and homework were becoming clear. By the end of the fourth week, Tiffany was demonstrating much better study habits and longer periods of concentration on topics that had formerly bored her. Her parents were also relieved not to have the school nurse calling with concerns about Tiffany’s health! Later on, Tiffany was able to go on a long family vacation without coughing and itching, and becoming disruptive; her progress in school and at home continues.

Key symptoms of allergies and hypersensitivities include:

• Repeated infections
• Unusually short attention span
• Unusual amount of hyperactivity
• Difficulty breathing
• Emotional issues

The Approach
The approach we use is to combine Eastern and Western methods in a special way of evaluation and treatment. Techniques are painless and gentle and parents are with children at all times. Most parents come to us with the goals of improving health, attitude and behavior while reducing the need for medication. Treatment focuses on meeting these needs. If you have any questions about your children’s allergies, please call Dr. Steiner and Dr. Zhang at the Allen Office at 972-747-0928 or Dr. Zhang and Dr Louder at the Dallas Clinic at 972-931-6736.