There’s a saying that genetics loads the gun, but the environment pulls the trigger. Whether or not you have a family history of Tourette syndrome or related tic disorders, there are several approaches you can take to prevent and treat symptoms.
Doctors often tell people with Tourettes that there is nothing they can do to besides reducing stress: “The tics wax and wane—they come and go on their own.” Some even refer to the process as a “mystery.” Families are apparently expected to just sit back and watch the ups and downs take place. This attitude makes about as much sense as telling people with allergies that their symptoms will “wax and wane,” without explaining which allergens may affect a person’s symptoms.
Of course, doctors would tell their patients why vocal and muscle tics wax and wane—if they knew. But there has been an appalling lack of interest in the role of the environment by leaders in the field. In fact, for the last 18 years, our organization is the only group that has been vigorously exploring a range of factors that can aggravate tics, such as toxic exposures; food sensitivities and food allergy; heavy metals; nutrient imbalances; infection, allergens, and immune system issues.
Our book Natural Treatments for Tics and Tourettes: A Patient and Family Guide gives a comprehensive explanation of non-toxic prevention and treatment options with a review of behavioral approaches, acupuncture and biofeedback; hypnosis may also be helpful.
Families can learn more with our article Finding Triggers for Tics: A Must Read. An integrative physician can assist in determining underlying biological causes of symptoms. While the standard treatment for tics focuses on strong medications that many seek to avoid, ACN Latitudes offers valuable options to patients and families.
Related articles are shown below. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, you can search using the box at the upper right of the page or browse our forums.
MARY ANN BLOCK, DO, PA Dr. Mary Ann Block is Medical Director of The Block Center, an international clinic for the treatment of chronic health problems in children and adults. She is an expert on the treatment of […]
Sheila Rogers DeMare, Director Association for Comprehensive NeuroTherapy The TSA and our organization had a liaison relationship for a few years. This made it seem the TSA was interested in integrative therapies. However, far from […]
Sheila Rogers DeMare, Director Association for Comprehensive NeuroTherapy The TAA/TSA medical board ignored the findings of the Alternative Therapy Network for Tourette syndrome even while TSA staff referred families to it and success stories with […]
Whether you’re dealing with Tourette syndrome, a chronic tic disorder, or obsessive compulsive disorder, the ideal goal is to get to the root of the problem. What underlying imbalances might be causing the symptoms of […]
Sheila Rogers DeMare, Director ACN The TSA ignored the work of Dr. Doris Rapp, who confirmed an immune link to Tourette syndrome on national television 25 years ago. Best-selling author Doris Rapp, MD, is arguably the […]
If you’re like most people, you read an article but may not go back to check out the comments that later come in from others. We don’t want you to miss out on some of […]
Excited families sent a new article from Science Daily to us this week. It sounds great and readers assumed they could sign up for brain training exercises and “overcome” tics: ‘Brain training’ overcomes tics in […]
A mechanism in the brain that controls tics in children with Tourette Syndrome (TS) has been discovered by scientists at The University of Nottingham, UK. The study, published in the British Psychological Society’s Journal of […]