Chiropractic Support for ADD/ADHD in Macomb, MI
Learning that your child has ADHD—or realizing you may have ADHD yourself—can raise a lot of questions. While the challenges are real, Dr. Pavel Bence, DC, CCWP believes ADHD should never define a person’s future. With the right understanding, guidance, and support, many children and adults discover that what once felt like a limitation can become one of their greatest strengths.
At Bence Chiropractic Wellness Center in Macomb, Dr. Bence approaches ADD/ADHD from a strengths-based perspective. Through years of specialized continuing education and additional training, he has developed a special interest in helping children, adults, and families better understand ADHD while providing chiropractic care that supports overall nervous system health as part of a comprehensive care plan.
“One of the most rewarding parts of working with families affected by ADHD is watching them begin to recognize strengths they may never have seen before. My goal is to help people understand that ADHD doesn’t define who they are—it simply changes how they learn, grow, and experience the world.” — Dr. Pavel Bence, DC, CCWP
Whether you’re searching for answers for your child or yourself, Dr. Bence believes education is the first step toward confidence.
Below are some of the questions he hears most often from families visiting our office.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ADD and ADHD?
ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) is an older term that is no longer used as an official medical diagnosis. Today, all forms are classified as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Some individuals primarily struggle with inattention, while others experience hyperactivity and impulsivity, or a combination of both. Many people still use the term ADD because it remains familiar, particularly when describing someone who is inattentive without being hyperactive.
How is ADHD diagnosed?
There is no single blood test or brain scan that diagnoses ADHD. A qualified healthcare professional evaluates medical history, developmental history, behavioral patterns, and how symptoms affect everyday life at home, school, or work. An accurate diagnosis is the foundation for developing an effective treatment plan.
Can adults have ADHD?
Yes. Many adults are diagnosed years after childhood when lifelong patterns of difficulty with focus, organization, time management, or impulsivity become more apparent. An adult diagnosis often helps explain challenges that have existed for years and opens the door to appropriate support and treatment.
Can chiropractic care help someone with ADHD?
Chiropractic care is not considered a primary treatment for ADHD, and Dr. Bence won’t suggest otherwise. However, some families choose chiropractic care as part of a comprehensive wellness approach. When appropriate, chiropractic care may help support overall nervous system health alongside medical care, behavioral therapy, educational support, and other evidence-based treatments. Care at Bence Chiropractic Wellness Center begins with a thorough evaluation to determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate for your individual needs.
What is the SHINE Program?
The SHINE Program is a strengths-based approach to ADHD inspired by the work of Dr. Edward (Ned) Hallowell, MD. Rather than focusing only on the challenges associated with ADHD, it encourages individuals and families to recognize natural abilities, build confidence, and develop practical strategies for long-term success. Dr. Bence has incorporated these principles into the family-centered care he provides at Bence Chiropractic Wellness Center.
Dr. Bence Explains: ADHD Is More Than a Diagnosis
For many years, ADHD was viewed primarily through the lens of deficits—difficulty paying attention, impulsive behavior, disorganization, or hyperactivity. While those challenges are real, Dr. Bence believes they tell only part of the story.
Many individuals with ADHD are remarkably creative, energetic, curious, intuitive, and capable of thinking in ways that others cannot. The goal isn’t to ignore the challenges. It’s to recognize unique qualities while developing practical strategies to help those abilities flourish.
“I don’t want children growing up believing there’s something wrong with them. I want them to understand how their minds work, discover what they’re naturally good at, and develop the confidence to build on those unique qualities.” — Dr. Pavel Bence, DC, CCWP
That philosophy has guided Dr. Bence’s continuing education in ADHD and ultimately led him to the work of one of the world’s leading authorities on the condition.
What Is ADHD?
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, focus, organization, impulse control, and, for some individuals, activity level. It affects both children and adults, although symptoms often change over time.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ADHD generally falls into one of three presentations:
Predominantly Inattentive
People with this presentation often have difficulty staying organized, completing tasks, following conversations, or paying close attention to details. They may become easily distracted or frequently forget everyday responsibilities.
Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive
This presentation is characterized by excessive movement, restlessness, impulsive behavior, and difficulty remaining still. Children often appear constantly in motion, while adults may describe feeling internally restless or driven.
Combined Presentation
Many individuals experience characteristics of both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity. Every person’s experience is unique, which is why understanding individual abilities and challenges is an important part of developing an effective plan.
One of the most recognizable descriptions of ADHD comes from Dr. Ned Hallowell, who compares it to having “the engine of a Ferrari with the brakes of a bicycle.” The potential is already there. The challenge is learning how to better direct that remarkable ability.
Understanding how ADHD works is only part of the journey. Dr. Bence believes it’s equally important to understand how families can build on the talents that often accompany ADHD—and that’s where the SHINE philosophy comes in.
What Is the SHINE Program?
Dr. Pavel Bence, DC, CCWP believes one of the most important things a family can learn about ADHD is that a diagnosis should never define a person’s potential. That conviction led him to pursue specialized continuing education in ADHD and to adopt the SHINE philosophy developed by Dr. Edward (Ned) Hallowell, MD, one of the world’s leading authorities on ADHD.
Rather than viewing ADHD primarily as a collection of deficits to be managed, SHINE encourages families to recognize each person’s unique abilities while developing practical strategies to address the challenges that come with the condition. Dr. Bence believes this strengths-based perspective helps children and adults build confidence, improve self-esteem, and better understand how they learn, grow, and interact with the world.
For Dr. Bence, SHINE is more than a program—it’s the philosophy that guides the way he works with children, adults, and families affected by ADHD. Rather than beginning with the question, “What’s wrong?” he begins with, “What abilities are already there, and how can we help them grow?”
That simple shift in perspective can change the way families approach ADHD. When children recognize their own abilities—and parents learn to nurture those abilities alongside addressing challenges—they often develop greater confidence, resilience, and hope for the future.
How Bence Chiropractic Implements SHINE
At Bence Chiropractic Wellness Center, the SHINE philosophy shapes every stage of Dr. Bence’s approach to ADHD care.
By combining Dr. Hallowell’s strengths-based approach with chiropractic care and whole-family education, Dr. Bence strives to create an environment where patients discover what they’re capable of rather than focusing solely on what they find difficult.
Parents are encouraged to become active participants in the process, learning practical strategies that can be applied at home, at school, and throughout everyday life. Lasting success often comes from supporting the entire family, not simply addressing one person’s challenges.
Depending on your family’s needs, the SHINE program may include:
- Orientation to the SHINE program
- One-on-one consultation with a licensed SHINE doctor
- Parent education and support
- Weekly chiropractic care
- Nutritional guidance and targeted supplementation
- A letter for your child’s teachers explaining participation in the program
- Neurologically based exercises designed to improve brain balance and coordination
- Advanced nervous system scans using the INSiGHT™ Subluxation Station, including thermal imaging, surface EMG, and heart rate variability assessments
Additional details about the program are discussed during your orientation visit so recommendations can be tailored to your family’s goals.
Dr. Bence’s Approach to Supporting Children and Families
Every person with ADHD is different. Some children struggle primarily with focus and organization. Others are highly energetic, impulsive, or easily overwhelmed. Adults may experience challenges with time management, follow-through, or maintaining attention at work or home.
For that reason, Dr. Pavel Bence, DC, CCWP believes there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
Care begins with listening. During your first visit, Dr. Bence takes time to understand your concerns, health history, lifestyle, and goals before recommending whether chiropractic care has a place in your overall wellness plan.
“Before I can recommend any treatment, I want to understand the whole person—not just the diagnosis. Every child, every adult, and every family has a different story.” — Dr. Pavel Bence, DC, CCWP
Chiropractic Care
The nervous system controls communication throughout the body. Chiropractic care focuses on the relationship between the spine and nervous system, with the goal of improving spinal function and supporting overall health.
While chiropractic care is not a cure for ADHD, many families choose to include it as one part of a comprehensive wellness plan alongside medical care, behavioral therapy, educational support, nutrition, and healthy lifestyle habits.
Following a thorough examination, Dr. Bence will explain whether chiropractic care is appropriate for your individual situation and answer any questions you may have about treatment.
Family Education
Parents often tell Dr. Bence they feel overwhelmed after an ADHD diagnosis.
Understanding the condition is one of the most valuable tools a family can have.
Throughout the SHINE program, Dr. Bence helps families better understand how ADHD affects learning, behavior, relationships, and daily routines while providing practical strategies that encourage confidence instead of frustration.
When parents understand why certain behaviors occur, they’re often better equipped to respond with patience, consistency, and encouragement.
Nutrition and Healthy Habits
Good nutrition, quality sleep, regular physical activity, and consistent daily routines play an important role in overall health for every child and adult.
When appropriate, Dr. Bence discusses nutritional habits and lifestyle factors that may support general health as part of a comprehensive wellness plan. Individual recommendations are based on each patient’s needs and are intended to complement—not replace—the care provided by your primary healthcare providers.
Neurological Exercises
As part of the SHINE program, Dr. Bence may recommend neurologically based exercises designed to improve balance, coordination, body awareness, and overall nervous system function.
These activities are selected according to each patient’s age, abilities, and goals, becoming one more tool that can support healthy development while encouraging confidence and independence.
Meet the Experts Behind Our Approach
Dr. Edward (Ned) Hallowell, MD
Dr. Edward Hallowell is an internationally recognized psychiatrist, bestselling author, and one of the world’s leading authorities on ADHD. His work has helped transform the conversation surrounding ADHD by encouraging families and professionals to recognize both the challenges and the extraordinary abilities commonly associated with the condition.
His strengths-based philosophy—and the SHINE framework built upon it—has influenced educators, physicians, parents, and mental health professionals around the world. Dr. Bence’s ADHD training incorporates many of these principles because they align closely with his own belief that understanding a person’s strengths is just as important as addressing their challenges.
Dr. Pavel Bence, DC, CCWP
For more than 40 years, Dr. Pavel Bence has helped children and families improve their health through compassionate, patient-centered chiropractic care. His additional education in ADHD reflects a long-standing commitment to helping families better understand the condition and discover practical ways to help children thrive.
Rather than viewing ADHD through a deficit-based model, Dr. Bence encourages families to recognize each child’s unique abilities while developing strategies that support learning, confidence, and long-term success.
By combining chiropractic care with the strengths-based principles of the SHINE program, he strives to provide care that supports the whole person—not simply a diagnosis.
“Every child has gifts worth discovering. Sometimes our greatest responsibility is helping families recognize those gifts and giving them the confidence to build upon them.” — Dr. Pavel Bence, DC, CCWP
What Dr. Bence Wants Every Family to Remember
Receiving an ADHD diagnosis can feel overwhelming at first, but it doesn’t define who you or your child will become. With understanding, encouragement, and the right support, many children and adults with ADHD go on to excel in school, build successful careers, develop meaningful relationships, and make extraordinary contributions to their communities.
Dr. Pavel Bence, DC, CCWP believes the conversation should begin with possibilities rather than limitations. Every individual has unique strengths, talents, and abilities waiting to be discovered. The goal isn’t to change who someone is—it’s to help them better understand how they learn, think, and succeed.
“I’ve never met a child whose future could be predicted by an ADHD diagnosis. I’ve met creative thinkers, natural leaders, gifted problem-solvers, and compassionate individuals who simply needed someone to recognize their potential and help them build on it.” — Dr. Pavel Bence, DC, CCWP
Whether you’re seeking answers for your child or yourself, you don’t have to navigate ADHD alone. Dr. Bence takes time to listen, answer your questions, and help you determine whether chiropractic care has a place in your family’s overall wellness plan.
If you’re looking for a strengths-based approach to ADHD in Macomb, Sterling Heights, Shelby Township, Clinton Township, Utica, or a surrounding community, we invite you to contact Bence Chiropractic Wellness Center to schedule a consultation.
Walk-in appointments are always welcome.
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