Chiropractic Improves Quality of Life in a Child with a Multitude of Heath Issues

The third quarter 2025 issue of the Asian Pacific Chiropractic Journal published a case study documenting chiropractic helping a child who was suffering with balance issues, behavioral issues, and respiratory function problems. Complicating this case, the child was also suffering with ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder are considered separate neurodevelopmental conditions that can occur together. These two health issues are continuing to grow in numbers and in the focus of healthcare. According to the Ehlers-Danlos Society, "The Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) are a group of 13 heritable connective tissue disorders. The conditions are caused by genetic changes that affect connective tissue. Some features are seen across all types of EDS, including joint hypermobility, skin hyperextensibility, and tissue fragility."

In this case, an 11-year-old boy with a relatively sedentary lifestyle and a complex history of multiple medical diagnoses was brought in for Chiropractic care for the first time. He had been medically diagnosed with level 2 Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, and anxiety disorder. Additionally, the boy was undergoing testing to confirm a diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome which caused all his joints, including his spine, to be excessively movable, a.k.a. hypermobile.

The boy's mother described her son's symptoms as including problems with his balance and coordination. She noted he was always dropping things and had poor posture. She also noted that her son was tired and sleepy all the time. The boy suffered with generalized musculoskeletal pain and had difficulties with everyday tasks including feeding and eating.

A detailed chiropractic examination was performed and modified chiropractic care was started. The chiropractic care had to be modified due to the boy having fragile skin and hypermobile joints from his Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

The study reports that after his first chiropractic adjustment visit, the boy noticed immediate improvement in his breathing. As care continued, the boy's posture also began to improve. His parents began to notice significant improvements in his abilities to perform daily activities. The study also records that the boy was able to sit through most of the day at school, was more stable and less prone to falling. It was also recorded that the boy was more active, had better balance, had more energy and was overall happier.

This study included a comment made by the boy's mother as to his progress under chiropractic care. "When I brought him to a Chiropractor, I didn't have high hopes. I figured anything that could improve his quality of life, which is better than what he has now. I was always so worried about him. The wind could knock him over, and he couldn't stay upright when sitting for longer than about one minute, whereas he can now sit for most of the day with standing breaks before he gets tired. The biggest thing was after the first appointment and adjustment, he sat in the car and looked at me and said 閃um, I can breathe. I can take a full breath and breathe'."