Monthly Archives: July 2023

Hey parents! You may have heard some buzz about Pediatric Chiropractic and the Perfect Storm, and you might be wondering what it’s all about. First and foremost, it can absolutely help you take control of your child’s health journey.

You may find yourself asking questions like, “What the heck is a pediatric chiropractor, and what do they do?” and “What IS the Perfect Storm?” 

We want you to know that we are on a mission to spread awareness about pediatric chiropractic and our specialized approach to healthcare, and what is known as the Perfect Storm. Put simply the Perfect Storm is meant to give you 3 wildly important and impactful things: 

1. Hope – when your child struggles with chronic health challenges and you feel like you’ve tried it all, it’s easy to start to lose hope. We work first to give that back to you like never before! 
2. Answers – you’ll learn about the true root cause of health challenges in kids, and once you have the answers as to what’s causing them to get sick and struggle, the answers and action steps (next one) become super clear 
3. Action Steps – this is our favorite and most exciting part, where we move things forward and can now form an effective action plan to restore your child’s health and help them reach their full potential! 

What Is the Perfect Storm?

The Perfect Storm refers to the incredible impact and transformative changes that pediatric chiropractic care can have on your family’s life, especially if your child is facing chronic challenges like autism, ADHD, epilepsy, or autoimmune conditions affecting their gut, immune system, and related conditions like PANDAS and Pots.

Through the Perfect Storm, we dive deep into the underlying causes of the challenges your kiddo faces. We explore when these issues really began to brew in your child’s body, brain, and developing nervous system, making sure we go far enough back in time to address the real root cause of their challenges and not just try and treat the symptoms. 

We know because of the incredible parents you are, you’ve already done absolutely everything you can to help your child. But it’s important to note that you won’t hear about the Perfect Storm in your pediatrician’s office or any standard medical specialist. Honestly, it’s not something you’ll even be able to learn about entirely from those in our preferred natural + holistic health space, as it’s something very specific to our approach as Neurologically-Focused Pediatric Chiropractors. 

Our focus is on identifying and addressing the root cause of these challenges, not just treating the symptoms or providing temporary relief. You see, the traditional medical approach excels in crisis and emergency intervention care. But when it comes to restoring and rebuilding health and well-being for your child, that’s where the field of medicine falls short. When your child is grappling with chronic health issues, you need an expert to work side by side with you that can help rebuild their health from the ground up.

Think about it like a house rehab or remodeling project. A skilled remodeler or rehabber starts by stripping everything down to the studs, reaching the foundation, and then rebuilding from there. That’s exactly what the Perfect Storm does. 

It teaches parents about the foundational challenges and initial stressors that contribute to sensory processing disorders, seizures, autism, and a wide range of conditions that occur long before the diagnosis is made.

Understanding the Perfect Storm empowers you, parents, to grasp the underlying issues affecting your child’s well-being. It offers a path to address these challenges at their core, allowing for comprehensive healing and restoration. And that’s what we’re going to dive deeper into – the components of the Perfect Storm and valuable insights and strategies to support your child’s health journey.

Digging Way Back Into Your Child’s History

So let’s talk about the Perfect Storm in a nutshell. One critical aspect we, as pediatric chiropractors, address is the impact of early stress on children’s development. Surprisingly, around 60% to 70% of children with neurological challenges have experienced significant stress on their nervous system. This stress can start to build up during pregnancy and affect the baby’s well-being. The umbilical cord acts as the neurological power cord, transmitting stress from the mom to the baby’s developing system. 

Unfortunately, our modern society often fails to provide adequate support and empowerment to expectant mothers. That’s where prenatal chiropractic care comes in and plays a vital role as well.

The stress experienced by mothers during pregnancy can have a profound impact on the baby’s brain development. It triggers an early adaptation towards a sympathetic fight or flight response, even during the prenatal stages. This early shift sets the stage for future struggles faced by these children. 

From there, birth interventions become major contributing factors in what we call the “Perfect Storm” of challenges. Common medical interventions like C-sections, forceps, vacuum, and induction are prevalent during labor and delivery. Unfortunately, these interventions can be traumatic for the brainstem, the vagus nerve, and the delicate areas of the skull and upper neck.

When these regions experience injuries during birth trauma, the corresponding part of the nervous system shifts into a fight or flight response dominated by sympathetic activity. This creates additional stress during the child’s crucially formative developmental stages, impacting both their brain and nervous system. Essentially, these early experiences shape the brain’s hard wiring and its responses in the future.

This can explain why your baby may have exhibited challenges such as colic, fussiness, nursing difficulties, reflux, and constipation. And as they grow older, around four to six months, maybe they began getting recurring ear infections, croup, or RSV. We know it is excruciating to watch your sweet baby suffer with these challenges, and that’s why the ultimate goal of our office is to be a part of the child’s care team right from the beginning so we can help handle these issues drug-free and hold off neurosensory challenges later on in life as well.

As you know and have most likely experienced firsthand, conventional medicine often resorts to antibiotics, corticosteroids, and other medications to address these issues. And as a parent, when you want to help your baby who is struggling, you’ll try anything!  

But here’s the thing – the use of such medications, especially in the first few years of a child’s life, significantly increases the risk of autoimmune disorders and gut issues later on. We must understand that the nervous system, brain, spinal cord, gut, and immune system are all interconnected and work together for our child’s development.

Breaking Free of The Perfect Storm

To break free from the Perfect Storm and address these challenges head-on, we need to identify two key factors. First, we must determine if your child experienced early stressors. And if they did, we need to assess whether their nervous system has become stuck in sympathetic fight or flight overdrive, hindering their rest, digestion, and overall development.

During a consultation, we thoroughly examine your child’s case history, taking into account factors such as pregnancy stress and birth trauma. By delving into these details, we gain valuable insights into our child’s condition. 

We also utilize remarkable technology called the INSiGHT Scans that allows us to measure, quantify, and locate the stress on your child’s brain, body, and nervous system. 

Once we have gathered all the necessary information, we move on to the next crucial step. Our dedicated team of PX Docs specializes in creating drug-free, customized care plans tailored to your child’s unique situation. We take the time to sit down with you, understand your concerns, and envision the future you desire for your child. 

This personalized care plan incorporates neurologically focused chiropractic adjustments, which effectively release stress and restore balance to the nervous system. Seeing the positive impact these adjustments have on children is the highlight of our work!

So if you feel like you’ve exhausted all other avenues and are still seeking answers for your child, we hope you give us a call to help support you on this journey with your child. 

May your journey with your child be blessed. Remember, you know your child better than anyone and have the power to make the biggest difference in your child’s life. You are amazing parents, and together, we can navigate the Perfect Storm and make it to the other side stronger than ever!

One of the most talked about topics concerning infants’ and babies’ health is tongue ties. It is becoming increasingly blamed for numerous pediatric health conditions. If you are wondering if your child has a tongue tie and if it is the reason behind their struggles with latching, uncomfortable nursing, weight gain, colic, reflux, and overall comfort, we want to help you sort that out!

We want to delve into the science behind tongue ties in babies with you, going beyond their potential impact on breastfeeding, speech, and neurodevelopment. We will explore why tongue ties are prevalent today and uncover the true root cause behind these troubles.  By understanding the condition and its implications, you can make informed decisions about what to do next.

Naturally, as a loving parent, any difficulties with breastfeeding, latching, or discomfort can immediately put you on high alert. It’s common to receive suggestions from friends, relatives, or pediatricians, with one of the first mentions being, “Could it be a tongue tie?” Suddenly, you find yourself thrust into a topic that presents a multitude of opinions and options, and is often overwhelming to navigate.

Tongue Tie: What Is It, and What Are the Symptoms?

Tongue tie is a condition that affects newborns, where the strip of tissue that anchors the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too short, restricting movement and function of the tongue. Breastfeeding can become challenging for babies with tongue ties, as they may struggle to latch properly and nurse effectively. Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs), including discussion of the frenulum and other connective tissues of the mouth and jaw, is a term often used to describe this condition.

Some common difficulties experienced by babies with tongue ties include:

1. Difficulty attaching to the breast or staying attached for a full feed.
2. Being unsettled and seeming hungry all the time.
3. Slow weight gain compared to expectations.
4. Making a “clicking” sound during feeding.

Many signs and symptoms of tongue ties overlap with general colic and neuro-gastric distress in infants, which can make it challenging for you to differentiate between the two and determine the root cause of your baby’s nursing and sleep challenges.

Is It a Tongue Tie Causing the Struggles or Another Factor At Play?

To answer this question, we must explore the causes of tongue ties. While traditional medical explanations attribute tongue ties to genetics, we know there is more to the story. Some natural health practitioners connect tongue ties to mutations in MTHFR genes, which affect folate absorption. Studies even suggest that increased folic acid intake, as in prenatal vitamins, may play a role.

As Pediatric Chiropractors specializing in neurology and neurodevelopment, we go beyond traditional approaches by looking at the nervous system and considering factors such as soft tissues. The nervous system’s tone influences the tone of muscles and soft tissues. If both the mother’s and baby’s nervous systems are stuck in fight-or-flight mode, it can affect the frenulum, mouth, and jaw. 

While physiology and chemistry matter, true health, and development start with the nervous system. 

Tongue ties, like many conditions, often result from a combination of factors, creating a “Perfect Storm.”

What is the Connection Between Prenatal Stress, Birth Trauma, and Tongue Ties?

This “Perfect Storm” frequently begins during the prenatal stage due to the emotional fight-or-flight response of the mother and baby. It becomes compounded during the birth process or delivery, where physically stressful births commonly involve misalignment and fixation of the vertebrae, which have biomechanical and musculoskeletal effects. 

Combined with in-utero stress, a neurological component arises during key developmental periods. In fact, a study found that 99 out of 100 healthy newborns experienced somatic dysfunction (misalignment and fixation stress) during the birth process. This adds further pressure to the already compromised cranial and oral system, impacting the baby’s neuro-oral movements.

Care Options for Tongue Ties:

Many parents opt for tongue-tie revision surgery performed by a pediatric holistic dentist. You may consider making this decision based on concerns regarding nutrition, neurological development, and emotional bonding with your baby. However, like any medical procedure, certain factors should be considered first before making this decision.

If your baby experienced stress in utero, abnormal fetal positioning, or birth trauma, the increased tension and thickness of the soft tissues may be a protective response to the entire neurological system. The key is to address the underlying tension and consult with a Neurologically-Focused Pediatric Chiropractor before considering surgical revision. By doing this, we can work together with surgical revision to achieve the best short-term and long-term outcomes for your baby.

Navigating tongue ties or potential tongue ties can be complicated and complex. We are here to help! We so often find that a baby’s tongue tie is associated with moderate to severe tension and stress in the nervous system. The INSiGHT scan, a gentle and non-invasive thermography-based scan, can provide insights into the neurological struggles your baby may be experiencing. 

Remember, as parents, you are not alone in this journey. But we want you to have access to the complete narrative, encompassing the underlying factors behind tongue ties and exploring comprehensive care options, enabling you to make well-informed decisions for your baby’s health and well-being.  This approach will greatly contribute to you and your baby’s prosperous journey during the nursing period and throughout infancy, something every parent and baby deserves!

One of the most challenging issues faced by older children is bedwetting, also known as Enuresis. This condition can be embarrassing, emotionally distressing and significantly impact your child’s quality of life.  When your little one is struggling with bedwetting, it breaks your heart and can be challenging to find a solution.

If you have tried various methods such as sleep studies, nighttime alarms, water restriction before bedtime, and waking your child up to use the bathroom but still haven’t found answers or resolutions, please know this, you are not alone.  There are steps you can take to empower your child and address their bedwetting. It is time to delve deeper and explore the role of the brain and nervous system in Enuresis.

Understanding Enuresis

Enuresis occurs when involuntary urination happens during sleep, after the age when staying dry can reasonably be expected. It’s important to remember that bedwetting is not your child’s fault and is entirely beyond their control. Enuresis can disrupt your child’s sleep, leading to daytime sleepiness, irritability, and difficulty concentrating in school, which just intensifies this struggle.

As parents, we have the power to take charge of our child’s health. While traditional medical approaches may recommend waiting it out or managing symptoms, there are things you can do to seek out solutions that address the root cause. 

The Power of Neurologically-Focused Pediatric Chiropractic Care

Neurologically-Focused Pediatric Chiropractic Care is a specialized form of chiropractic care that offers a personalized approach to achieve lasting results. We focus on restoring and optimizing the function of the nervous system, which plays a vital role in overall health, including bladder function.  It regulates the communication between your child’s brain and bladder, ensuring proper coordination and control.

When there is a disruption in the neurological communication between the brain and the bladder, or when the nervous system remains in a sympathetic fight-or-flight mode, the bladder may not function properly during sleep.

Numerous complex factors can contribute to a dysregulated nervous system and disrupted communication pathways. Emotional stress, developmental challenges, sensory processing disorder, inflammation, and even difficult or traumatic birth experiences can all play a role.

After being stuck in an excessive fight-or-flight sympathetic response throughout the day, the brain and nervous system “overreact” at night. This overreaction leads to an excessive parasympathetic response, causing the muscles of the bladder to relax excessively during sleep, resulting in bedwetting.

This is where Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care comes in. We can make a significant difference in your child’s health journey using advanced technology called INSiGHT scans, which can detect subluxation in your child’s nervous system. Releasing tension and restoring communication within the nervous system can help your child regain control of their bladder function. 

Don’t Wait, Empower Your Child Today!

If your child is struggling with bedwetting or any form of Enuresis, it’s time to take action. Don’t wait for them to outgrow it or settle for temporary solutions. Give us a call today to schedule a consultation with our team. We can’t wait to help! 

Your child deserves to live their best life, free from embarrassment and frustration, and achieve optimal growth and natural healing.  We are here to work side by side with you to make sure that happens!

Parents, did you know that food intolerance affects up to 20% of the population, as reported by “Medical News Today”? It’s not just limited to gluten and dairy intolerance anymore. Wheat, barley, milk, cheese, bananas, avocados, and more can all be culprits. Is your child included in this 20%?  

Food intolerances can manifest differently in children, and the symptoms can vary in severity. If you are a parent whose child has a food intolerance and you’ve watched them suffer from bloating, upset stomachs, constipation, behavioral changes, eczema, sleep issues, or migraines, this is for you. 

We want to delve into the world of food intolerances and empower you to take charge and manage your child’s struggles. If you’ve tried elimination diets and supplements without success, we are here to help. Let’s explore the root causes, focusing on the incredible vagus verve, which plays a significant role in your child’s brain-gut communication.

Understanding Food Intolerance

Food intolerance, sometimes referred to as food sensitivity, occurs when the digestive system has difficulty breaking down certain foods. The gut becomes sensitive to specific foods and struggles to tolerate them. When a child with a food intolerance consumes these problematic foods, they may experience uncomfortable symptoms such as gas, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

The traditional medical approach to food intolerances often attributes them to insufficient enzyme production in the digestive system. However, this explanation fails to address the underlying reasons behind the biochemical reactions to certain foods. Furthermore, you may have gotten a referral to a gastroenterologist that led to eliminating problematic foods, which can be helpful by alleviating the symptoms… but difficult in today’s world to do for your child, and it completely misses the root cause. We need to understand why your child’s gut and digestive system are so sensitive and impacted.

Vagus Nerve Dysfunction

To truly comprehend the root cause of your child’s food intolerance, we must examine the communication between the brain and gut, which is driven by the vagus nerve. This massive sensory nerve extends from the brainstem to the digestive system, with various stops in between. The vagus nerve can play a crucial role in many of your child’s health challenges, especially digestive issues.

Moreover, due to the strong connection between the gut and the brain through the vagus nerve, food intolerances can have negative effects on your child’s sleep, behavior, emotions, and mood regulation – which further intensifies this struggle for you and your child. 

The Impact of Birth Trauma

When we start to dig deeper, we may find that in your child’s case, some sort of birth trauma, such as prolonged labor, forceps, vacuum, or C-section, may have played a role. Any of these types of interventions can cause physical trauma leading to subluxation and a stress response in the nervous system. Specifically, the upper neck and brainstem region, where the vagus nerve originates and communicates from, can be affected.

This imbalance in the vagus nerve can adversely impact the gut’s functioning, leading to problems with absorption, digestion, and elimination of foods and toxins.

Altered signaling to the gut can result in increased inflammation and susceptibility to common foods, transforming minor sensitivities into full-blown intolerances. This also explains why your child who struggles with food intolerances may have started with reflux, colic, or immune issues like ear infections or asthma.

The Role of Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care

As Neurologically-Focused Pediatric Chiropractors, we believe in starting at the very beginning and providing a personalized care plan to each child’s unique needs. So, if your child is struggling with food intolerance and cannot consume certain foods, please seek guidance from a neurologically focused, trained Pediatric Chiropractor in our PX Docs network. 

They will delve into your child’s case history and identify the exact triggers and root causes using an innovative technology called INSiGHT scans. These scans help locate subluxations within your child’s nervous system, providing valuable information to determine the necessary adjustments to restore your child’s nervous system to its full potential.

By understanding the role of the Vagus Nerve and seeking neurologically focused chiropractic care, you can empower yourself as a parent and take charge of your child’s health, and we are here to help you every step of the way.

We aim to provide you with the freedom to reintroduce the foods your child previously couldn’t tolerate without having to worry that they are going to come back from a birthday party nauseous or have an emotional meltdown because of something they ate.