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Is your child’s anxiety holding them back from experiencing their absolute best life? As a parent, you want nothing more than for your child to be happy, healthy, and confident, especially as they navigate grade school and teenage years. However, the reality is that there is a growing mental health crisis of anxiety in our schools and families, which was further exacerbated by the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the CDC, about 10% of US kids are currently struggling with anxiety, but various sites and studies suggest even higher rates, particularly among teenagers. What’s even more alarming is that we are witnessing anxiety affecting children younger than ever. In the past, anxiety was commonly seen in high school, but now we encounter preschoolers and kindergartners grappling with anxiety and sensory issues so severe that it hinders their daily functioning.

If you are a parent whose child is struggling with anxiety, and more importantly, if you are seeking drug-free options and solutions that target the root causes of your child’s anxiety, this is for you. We understand your desire to see your child thrive, so we are here to empower you with knowledge and resources to address your child’s anxiety head-on.

The Science Behind Anxiety

Anxiety is an intense feeling of worry or fear about the future. While it’s normal for your child to experience anxiety in specific situations, such as before a test or an important event, persistent anxiety that affects their daily activities is a cause for concern.

You may have noticed signs of anxiety in your child, such as nervousness, restlessness, increased heart rate, trouble concentrating, difficulty sleeping, and gastrointestinal problems, often referred to as a “nervous stomach.”  These challenges are heartbreaking to watch and can be difficult to navigate when you only want to take these anxious feelings away but have no idea how to help them. 

Something else you should be aware of is that anxiety often coexists with other neurological conditions in children, such as sensory processing disorder, autism, and ADHD. Understanding these connections can help you develop a comprehensive approach to managing your child’s anxiety.

Root Causes of Anxiety and the Neurological Approach

Based on clinical experience and the latest scientific research, we believe anxiety is not solely caused by genetics or chemical imbalances. Instead, it is triggered by continual exposure to stress and toxins in your child’s environment, especially during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and early childhood. This “Perfect Storm” creates a cycle of stress and anxiety that becomes deeply ingrained in your child’s nervous system.

One often overlooked aspect of anxiety is the role that birth interventions and birth trauma play. Common interventions like C-Sections, forceps, vacuum extraction, and inductions can trigger a fight-or-flight response within your child’s nervous system from an early age, leading to long-term dysregulation.

As a result, subluxation and dysautonomia occur when the nervous system remains stuck in a sympathetic overdrive, suppressing the parasympathetic and vagus nerve’s calming functions.

Our drug-free approach to care involves using cutting-edge neurological examination using tools like INSiGHT scans and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) to assess the degree of sympathetic nervous system activation and the functionality of the vagus nerve (often called the “rest and digest” nerve).

Our Neurologically-focused Chiropractors at Impact Chiropractic aim to improve the quality of life for your child and any individuals struggling with anxiety. Instead of treating symptoms or attempting to cure anxiety, our focus lies in stimulating and activating the vagus nerve to restore a calmer and more regulated state to your child’s autonomic nervous system.

Take the first step today in taking control of your child’s anxiety. We’d love to help! If you aren’t local to us in Myrtle Beach, please visit our directory to find a trained and ready-to-serve PX Doc local to you. There is hope, answers, and drug-free help available for your child. Let us empower you with knowledge and resources that can make a difference in your child’s life.

Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. By sharing this message with other parents who could benefit, you contribute to a community of support and empowerment. Together, we can help our children overcome anxiety and thrive.

The end of summer transitioning into a new school year can be a bit of a hectic time for families. As parents, all year long, you strive to prioritize the health and well-being of your children. You go to great lengths to create a nurturing environment and make choices that support their physical and emotional development. However, amidst the challenges and uncertainties, you may be seeking answers to ensure your child’s success, particularly as they head back to school. 

You may wonder about the best approaches, the use of medications, sleep routines, and dietary considerations. If you’ve ever experienced this internal struggle, rest assured that you are not alone. In this blog, we will explore a simple solution that empowers you to take control of your child’s health naturally and achieve remarkable results.

If you are searching for drug-free and effective strategies to support your child’s health, this is for you. Whether you’ve encountered sleep issues, digestive problems, behavioral challenges, or anxiety, this will provide valuable insights and actionable steps to help your child thrive.

The Four Health Pillars:

To lay a strong foundation for your child’s health, we need to focus on four essential pillars: Sleep, Exercise and Play, Clean, Healthy Foods, and a Healthy, Adaptable Nervous System. These pillars are crucial for your child’s overall well-being and will set them up for success.

1. Sleep

We all understand the impact of insufficient sleep on our mood, focus, and physical health. Similarly, consistent, poor sleep in children can contribute to various health concerns such as digestive issues, immune system problems, anxiety, and depression. Sleep acts as a catalyst for maintaining overall health, including physical growth and development, cognitive development, emotional regulation, mental health, behavioral and social interactions, etc. Sleep should be a huge priority for your child. For tips on how to improve your child’s sleep routine, check out this article on Natural Sleep Remedies for Kids.

2. Exercise and Play

In contrast to the past, when children spent more time engaged in outdoor activities and physical play, today’s children seem to have fewer opportunities for movement. Exercise and play are not only beneficial for physical health but also promote brain development, learning, focus, social skills, and immune response. Encourage your child to engage in regular physical activities to support their overall well-being.  Bonus if these activities are done outside in the fresh air!

3. Eat Clean, Healthy Foods

Nutrition plays a vital role in your child’s health.  Eating healthy, clean foods will provide your child with the necessary nutrients for growth, development, cognitive function, and a strong immune system.  Focus on nutrient-dense foods, hydration, and reducing processed sugars and unhealthy fats. While perfection is challenging, aim for a balance of 80/20, where consistency and long-term commitment to healthy eating habits yield significant benefits.

4. A Healthy, Adaptable Nervous System with Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care

Since the Autonomic Nervous System controls and modulates every single cell, tissue, and organ in your child’s body, especially the immune and emotional systems, the benefits of chiropractic care are so far-reaching. By ensuring a healthy nervous system, chiropractic care supports optimal communication between the brain and body. When this communication is disrupted, which is a condition we call dysautonomia, various symptoms can arise, impacting behavior, immunity, digestion, and emotions.  

The Central and Autonomic Nervous System is the “air traffic controller” of the entire body, so since chiropractic focuses on the nervous system, it acts as a catalyst for improved signaling and adaptability for your child.

Impact Chiropractic  is trained in Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care and ready to serve your child and entire family. If you aren’t local to us in Myrtle Beach, check out our directory today to find an incredible PX Doc in our network near you.

Helping Your Child Reach Their Full Potential to Thrive

These four health pillars serve as the foundation for your child’s well-being. By prioritizing sleep, exercise, nutrition, and a healthy nervous system, you provide them with the best opportunity to thrive. While supplements and natural remedies can be valuable, their effectiveness is maximized when the foundational pillars are in place. 

Remember that simplicity often holds the most significant impact. 

As parents, you have the power to shape your child’s health and set them up for success, especially heading into a new school year, helping them reach their full potential and creating a solid base for further growth and development. Share this empowering message with other parents and caregivers who can benefit from these valuable insights. 

For more information, check out this Raising Healthy Kids Naturally Playbook. Together, let’s prioritize the foundational health pillars and unleash the extraordinary potential within our children.

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.

The understanding and facts behind this topic are so clear and have been for so long, that it’s hard to believe every parent isn’t told the full truth about this all-too-common ‘Perfect Storm’ story. 

What am I talking about? I’m talking about the clear, and all too commonly seen path from childhood ear infections to lifelong asthma and immune challenges.

It starts with the way we birth and deliver babies in today’s traditional medical system. 

For thousands of years, kids were brought into this world WITHOUT the need for “intervention and induction” and also WITH the help of gravity. Was every birth perfect and non-complicated? Nope. But 30-40% or more of them didn’t end with anesthesia, surgical tools, and a baby being pulled out by their head and neck either.

I’m starting off talking about the birth process because it’s where the most common injury to the upper neck, brainstem, and cranial areas occurs. It’s the first “kink” that occurs, and it sets the stage for the rest of the path to develop. As you’ll see, one problem leads to another, and it just keeps going.

When there is physical strain, tension, pulling, and stress placed on the child’s head and neck during the birth process, it very commonly leads to something called a subluxation. I like to explain subluxation as having three parts – misalignment, fixation (“stuck”), and neurological interference/irritation. All three of those components are at play in this situation.

The greater the amount of intervention during the birth process (induction, forceps, vacuum, C-section, etc.), the greater the likelihood of a significant subluxation to the upper neck and brain stem area. Is it an ‘absolute’ situation? No, few things are… but in my 7 years of clinical experience, I can tell you it’s a very, very strong correlation.

How Childbirth Relates to Ear Infections

As we move forward, those three components of the subluxation lead to two main problems that cause and contribute to ear infections:

1. Poor “plumbing” or drainage
2. Lowered (weakened) neuro-immune function

When there is physical trauma to the neck in-utero, during birth, or from a fall early in life it creates that “kink” in close proximity to the “drain pipes” coming from the ears, sinuses, and head. Specifically, the top two vertebrae share a lot of nerve supply, muscles, and structures with the inner ear and sinuses.

If you “kink” those vertebrae you start to “clog” the drainage of the surrounding structures. In this case, that includes not just the ear, nose, and throat regions… but the lymphatics that drain the head and neck as well.

You see, pediatricians still today give the ‘explanation’ to parents that “early in life the Eustachian tubes are just more horizontal, and for some kids, that’s worse than others” and so on and so forth. Well, they are right… sort of. Those tubes are more horizontal early in life, but that’s because they were designed that way!

Gravity plays far less of a role in actually draining the fluid from our ears than does one other major factor – MOVEMENT.

You see, when those two ‘physical’ components of the subluxation occur, misalignment and fixation, not only does it “clog” up the actual physical space in the ears and sinuses and lymphatics… but it’s the FIXATION part that really messes things up. When those vertebrae get jammed and “stuck” from that early physical trauma, now they don’t move around as easily or as much… and therefore, they don’t do their job in helping move fluid out of the ear and sinuses.

So finally, the longer that fluid is allowed to sit in the inner ear, the greater the chance that “bad guys” like viruses (most of them) and bacteria set up shop, replicate, and cause an infection.

And on top of all that, because that region of the brainstem and spinal cord house and protect a very important “hard drive” and “operating system” for our immune system… when we have a subluxation there, we can have compromised neuro-immune function.

So if you have bad plumbing and poor immune function, you have ear infections.

The Role of Antibiotics

But alas, that’s why we have a Walgreens and CVS on every corner filled with antibiotics of all shapes, colors, and sizes right!? All a parent needs to do is go to their local pediatrician, urgent or immediate care, ER, or minute clinic and talk for a few minutes, grab the prescription, and head out. And all is good then, right?

Not so much.

We’ve had plenty of research since about the 1980s that first off, antibiotics don’t work very well for ear, sinus, and respiratory infections. And second, they don’t come without side effects. Not only are there short-term side effects such as stomach pain and diarrhea in a lot of kids, but the long-term ones are even worse.

Many studies have shown that if a child is given antibiotics early in life, especially within the first 12-24 months, it increases their risk of other long-standing inflammatory and autoimmune type issues like asthma later in life. 

But the problem doesn’t stop there with over prescribing antibiotics. Read an excerpt from another study that spells it out plain as day: 

“Antibiotics are not recommended for either diagnosis, as most of these infections are viral, but antibiotics are frequently prescribed to children with these diagnoses. Reducing unnecasssary antibiotic use is important: antibiotics are the leading cause of emergency department (ED) visits for pediatric adverse drug events and contribute to antibiotic resistance.” 

Even the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) recommends a watch and wait approach. “Updated American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) clinical practice guidelines address the diagnosis and management of uncomplicated acute otitis media (AOM) in children aged 6 months to 12 years. The new recommendations, which offer more rigorous diagnostic criteria to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use, were published online on February 25 and in the March issue of Pediatrics.”

So if they’re known to not work well, known to have short and long-term side effects, and known to contribute to what is now a major public health crisis (antibiotic-resistant strains or “superbugs”)… then why do they still get prescribed left and right by pediatricians and doctors of all sorts? Good question.

My guess is that since most pediatricians still lack the level of education and understanding in natural health remedies and neurologically-focused options such as chiropractic, but yet care deeply and want the child and parent to receive some relief… they turn to the only thing they have in their ‘tool kit’ and still provide antibiotics.

Before we wrap up this blog post, let’s circle back to the birth trauma and poor plumbing discussion. Is that the only negative health effect our kids may face after significant birth intervention or trauma? Unfortunately, no. That is just where things get started. 

In case history after case history we see the following Perfect Storm pathway play out: 

• Tons of mental + emotional stress during the fertility period and pregnancy 
• Birth intervention leading to physical trauma to the brainstem and neurospinal system 
• Difficulty nursing, latching, soothing, and bonding 
• Colic, reflux, and constipation 
• Chronic and recurrent ear infections, cough, croup, RSV, and other respiratory illnesses 
  • Antibiotics, steroids, and other medications frequently then frequently provided 
• Altered motor development and delayed developmental milestones such as sitting up, crawling, walking, talking, social engagement, speech, etc. 
• Diagnosis of things such as apraxia of speech, sensory processing disorder, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, etc. . 

But before we finish up this blog post, let’s explore the neurophysiological connections to asthma and how the next level of medical treatment, ear tubes surgery, may be at play. 

While just like the guidelines for when to prescribe antibiotics are not necessarily set in stone, neither are the ones that help doctors know when to recommend ear tubes. Most of the time it looks something like this: 

• 3 or more ear infections within 6 months 
• 4-6 ear infections within 12 months 

We’ve certainly seen many case histories of patients who’ve well surpassed that mark, and we’ve also taken plenty of case histories of kids who’ve received two or even three different ear tubes surgeries over the years. That likely comes from the reality that while the ear tubes and surgery “force” an improved drainage system for a short time period, as the child grows and the root cause of the buildup and poor plumbing is still not addressed… the body pushes out the original tubes and goes right back to the same Perfect Storm it has always been stuck in. 

Just like ear infections and upper respiratory challenges are the #1 reason for a visit to the pediatrician, this is the most common surgery (myringotomy or tympanostomy) in kids and is performed over 700,000 times in the United States each year, costing $1.8 billion dollars. 

So Where Does All That Stuck, Virus-Filled Fluid Go Next?

Many parents report immediate relief from the eustachian tubes surgery, but sadly a few weeks or months later, they start to notice that at night especially their child appears to be talking and breathing a differently. Their voice changes a bit and they become a bit more hoarse, unclear, and labored in their breathing… seemingly having to “work harder” at it than before. 

This time the pediatrician isn’t as concerned with the ears, but now says that the tonsils and adenoids are “swollen” and the kiddo has a strep infection. But hey, don’t worry! This one is actually bacterial a lot of the time, so you guessed it! MORE ANTIBIOTICS!

Well, as time progresses the snoring gets worse, the sinuses and throat more jammed up, the breathing more labored, and the strep infections more frequent. So finally that same pediatrician says to go back to the ENT and see about having his tonsils and adenoids removed.

For most kids, this means the same doctor, same hospital, and same surgical routine. After previously drilling some holes in one body part, they just altogether take out a few more. 

Like building a coffee table you bought at IKEA, who needs all those extra body parts right? I’m sure they were just “extra” and not really needed for good, long term immune health. 

(Sorry for the satire, it’s heartbreaking when you know what’s really going on and know that parents are told the whole story and given ALL of their options.) 

So, back to the hospital. More surgery, more ice cream. And, more dispersal of the fluid into other places within the body. 

In my Iowa farmer terms, the fluid keeps moving “south” and starts to set up shop now in the lungs and upper airway. It’s simply the next stop on the anatomical map, and where the ear, nose, throat, and lymphatics were all supposed to be draining into naturally and easily this whole time before the birth trauma or other trauma set up that subluxation and “kink” in the plumbing system.

Asthma & Allergies Set in for the Long Haul

Essentially now this child becomes sick every single day of their life… Advair, Flovent, Singulair, etc.  They can’t run without challenges, they can’t go outside without challenges. Spring and fall are nightmares for them due to “allergies” as they’re now called.

Basically, what started out as a short-term, acute problem that could’ve been fixed for good with some improved plumbing and by restoring neuro-immune function is now a lifelong chronic illness and immune dysfunction. What was once a kid who struggled for a night or two with pain and discomfort, is now a kid who struggles every single day of their life.

It’s an absolute “Perfect Storm” all on its own. 

These kids don’t need more antibiotics and they don’t need more surgeries. They need more facts. They need more doctors and pediatricians who will tell them the actual truth that antibiotics are not only mostly ineffective for all these challenges, they’re dangerous. 

They need doctors who will tell them to seek out chiropractic care and all the natural health options for ear infections, before sending them down this perfect storm road of antibiotics, surgeries, allergies, and asthma. 

If you have a kiddo who is suffering, or if you know someone who does, please get them checked by a Pediatric Chiropractor to find out if they are subluxated. If there was extra stress during the pregnancy or intervention and trauma during the birth process, the chances are high that they indeed are. 

But that can mean good news for your family! Because that can mean a better chance of finding answers and relief through chiropractic care and natural health! 

I believe that every child with ADHD has so much potential. They possess a unique brain and drive that when properly harnessed, can be a superpower.

The world needs more raging bulls. But for those kids who are always on the go, it’s important that they have the ability to slow down and take corners more smoothly when needed. 

Chiropractic care is a drug-free option that addresses the root cause of your child’s ADHD. By activating their brake pedal system and regulating their central nervous system, we can also regulate their chemistry, physiology, and overall body function. It’s a transformative approach that can help children of any age and severity.

I encourage you to learn more about this approach by checking out our PX Docs website, where we have an informative article that goes deep into ADHD. Additionally, we offer an ADHD test using a piece of technology called the INSiGHT scans, which can measure the amount of gas pedal versus brake pedal and provide insight into your child’s unique challenges.

It’s frustrating that traditional medicine often lacks a complete understanding of the chemical theory behind ADHD and doesn’t offer a test for it. At our office, we believe in providing measurable results, and our ADHD test does just that.

Parents, if you have a child struggling with ADHD, whether they’re diagnosed or not, whether they’re on medication or not, please know that you are not alone. ADHD affects 6 million kids in the United States, and over 4 million of them are on medication that can have harmful short-term and long-term side effects. 

So, I want to delve into the root causes of ADHD, including the neurology, chemistry, and physiology behind it, in a way that is easy to understand. This is specifically for parents who do not want to use medications to help their child with ADHD challenges. We nickname our ADHD kiddos “Raging Bulls” because they have a lot of energy and drive, and we absolutely love their personalities. If you resonate with this, then this is perfect for you.

We’ll explore the causes of ADHD and how it can be turned into a superpower for your child. We’ll also talk about the struggles that come with ADHD, such as difficulty with sleep. However, the most important message is that you can turn your child’s ADHD into a superpower without medication.

I want to debunk the outdated medical theories surrounding ADHD and get to the root of the neurology that is causing it. It’s important for parents to understand that once you know what’s really behind ADHD, you can start working on drug-free solutions to balance your child’s nervous system and help them thrive.

The Genetic and Chemical Imbalance Theories

It’s alarming that there is no medical test for ADHD, and yet 6 million children have been diagnosed with it, and 4 million are taking dangerous medications based on two scientific theories that both lack evidence. The first theory is the genetic theory, which suggests that ADHD is purely genetic. The second is the chemical imbalance theory, which proposes that certain chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and epinephrine are out of order, and medications are required for life to correct this imbalance.

This is where Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic comes in. Many people seek out chiropractic care for physical ailments, such as chronic neck or back pain. They may not even know they have ADHD, but will soon discover that a lot of times neurological challenges actually stem from these physical ailments.

Contrary to popular belief, the number one cause of ADHD is not bad genetics or bad chemistry. It’s actually imbalanced neurology.

The True Root Cause – Imbalanced Neurology

Our nervous system has two sides – the gas pedal fight or flight side and the brake pedal parasympathetic side. When the fight or flight side is overstimulated, it can lead to ADHD symptoms such as impulsivity, hyperactivity, and emotional dysregulation. This is because ADHD is a subtype that is impulsive or hyperactive in nature. 

However, the other side of the nervous system called the parasympathetic side, is also known as the “brake pedal.” This side of the nervous system is responsible for rest, relaxation, focus, following directions, and emotional control. Unfortunately, for children with ADHD, this side of the nervous system is underactive, and their gas pedal side is overactive.

Early Stressors Affect Neurology

So why does this happen? During the first few years of life, the brain is highly plastic and moldable. If a child experiences a lot of stress during this critical period, it can wreak havoc on the brainstem and nervous system. This stress can begin all the way back to pregnancy, labor, delivery, and birth interventions resulting in birth trauma. Furthermore, if a child experiences early-life stressors such as a lot of antibiotics or challenges, it can shift the neurology and hardwire the brain to be excessively in sympathetic overdrive.

When the nervous system is in this overdrive state, it creates an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain. Neurotransmitters are responsible for transmitting messages within the nervous system. This imbalance leads to the classic symptoms of ADHD. 

I have had the opportunity to discuss the real neurological differences between the gas and brake pedals of the brain with traditional medical doctors. This phenomenon is not merely a theory but a scientifically-backed explanation for ADHD, anxiety, sensory processing disorders, and other related conditions. 

While chemical imbalances are present in these cases, they are not the root cause but rather a secondary effect. The chemicals involved are meant to regulate the nervous system, which in turn responds to stimuli with either a fight or flight response. In the case of individuals with ADHD, their nervous system is wired to respond with an excessive urge to move, talk, or engage in risky behaviors. This is where the neurotransmitters come into play – responding to the nervous system’s signals. 

Therefore, while the chemical imbalance theory is not inaccurate, it is incomplete as it fails to address the underlying neurological differences that lead to these behaviors.

Air Traffic Control – The Autonomic Nervous System

There is something deeper, the true root cause of these chemical imbalances in children lies in an imbalance in the central or autonomic nervous system, which is often caused by early stressors a child experiences. While genetics may play a small role, the stressful and toxic environment we live in today affects our children earlier than ever before, leading to what we call the Perfect Storm theory.

But here’s the good news: by rebalancing and restoring function to the nervous system, we can address the true root cause of these imbalances using neurologically-focused chiropractic care. By focusing on the central nervous system, we can reactivate and wake up the “brake pedal” side of the nervous system, which is responsible for calming and regulating the body.

In PX Doc offices all across the world, we have developed a unique set of care protocols for children with neurological challenges, regardless of their specific diagnosis. We are not interested in simply treating or curing ADHD; our focus is on addressing the cause of the symptoms. We do this by using an adjusting protocol system that activates the parasympathetic side of the nervous system, which can help with concentration and calming.

The length and frequency of our neurologically focused chiropractic care plan depends on the severity and duration of a child’s nervous system challenges. We work with each family to create a customized care plan that will help their child achieve optimal nervous system function.

In order for your child’s brain and nervous system to calm down and function at their best, this care plan is necessary. It is commonly known as neurologically focused restoration chiropractic care. If your child is struggling in school with failing grades, a fried brain, and an inability to concentrate or sleep, and ADHD seems to be getting the better of them – there is HOPE. Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic care can turn their ADHD into a superpower. 

I believe that every child with ADHD has so much potential. They possess a unique brain and drive that when properly harnessed, can be a superpower.

The world needs more raging bulls. But for those kids who are always on the go, it’s important that they have the ability to slow down and take corners more smoothly when needed. 

Chiropractic care is a drug-free option that addresses the root cause of your child’s ADHD. By activating their brake pedal system and regulating their central nervous system, we can also regulate their chemistry, physiology, and overall body function. It’s a transformative approach that can help children of any age and severity.

I encourage you to learn more about this approach by checking out our PX Docs website, where we have an informative article that goes deep into ADHD. Additionally, we offer an ADHD test using a piece of technology called the INSiGHT scans, which can measure the amount of gas pedal versus brake pedal and provide insight into your child’s unique challenges.

It’s frustrating that traditional medicine often lacks a complete understanding of the chemical theory behind ADHD and doesn’t offer a test for it. At our office, we believe in providing measurable results, and our ADHD test does just that.

Welcome, dads! There is no doubt a lot of hustle and grind of being a busy dad. So, I want to talk about the common tendency to accept poor health as just a part of being a dad. It’s not. We need to take care of ourselves so we can set a good example for our kids.

It’s easy to make jokes and accept the “dad bod” and all the health challenges that come with it. But ignoring these issues and relying on prescription drugs to treat them is not the answer.  

We want to break the cycle of accepting poor health as normal because you’re stressed and worn out. 

We know that our kids don’t always listen to what we say, but they definitely emulate our actions and habits. The truth is, if we don’t prioritize our health, we’re setting a bad example for them. When it comes to our health, our kids can either follow our bad habits or learn from our good ones. We want to help you set a good example for your family by taking care of yourself. That’s why Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care is so important.

The Ripple Effect

I know some of you may be skeptical of chiropractic care, but I can assure you that it is backed up by science and clinical experience. Chances are you’re feeling burnt out, in pain, and exhausted all the time. You know what you should be doing to take care of yourself, but you just can’t seem to find the energy to do it. 

I don’t need to come in and try to be a mindset coach, nutritionist or exercise coach. But I do need to be real with you. The truth is, when we’re stressed and exhausted, our brain shifts into protective mode, making it difficult to make good decisions for our health.

In today’s fast-paced world, our nervous system is often caught in a loop of anxiety and ADHD. Our brain, as the master controller of our body, determines our ability to make sound decisions and take action. However, when we lack the energy to exercise or engage in healthy activities, our brains tend to opt for instant gratification like indulging in sugary treats and lounging on the couch. This can create a Perfect Storm for dads who find themselves increasingly burdened by their health.

As dads, we often get buried under the weight of our responsibilities and neglect our own health in the process. But the good news is that getting healthy is actually much simpler for men than it is for the amazing people that really run our lives, moms. By taking things in the right order and doing things in the right sequence, you can get healthy way easier than you think.

When dads prioritize their health, it has a ripple effect on the entire family. Studies show that when dads are active, fit, and healthy, it changes everything for the family. Your children will see the importance of taking care of their health and follow your lead.

The Role of Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic

So, where do you start? The first step is actually getting adjusted. I know what you might be thinking, “Of course you’re going to say that, you’re a chiropractor!” But let me explain the science behind it by explaining a dad scan to you.

Before we begin chiropractic care with any of our patients, including dads, we start by getting a baseline test called an INSiGHT scan. This measures the health of your nervous system and gives us an exact blueprint as to why you may be experiencing constant pain or exhaustion. It’s like a cheat code to get you healthy.

The EMG Scan

I want to dive into a recent dad scan from our practice. There are three main things to notice. The first is the colors on the EMG, which measures neuromuscular tension or physical tension and exhaustion. The first thing you’ll see is that nearly all dads have way too much tension stuck in their neck, shoulders, and low back. This is why they often complain of neck pain, headaches at the base of their skull, or low back issues.

Problem number two on the EMG scan is the yellow, which is the opposite of red, and means weak core. If you’re like most dads today, you probably have a desk job that keeps you sitting for hours on end. This sedentary lifestyle can wreak havoc on your nervous system, particularly in the mid-thoracic area. This area of the spine is where your adrenals are located – the stress and protective glands of your body.

Dads are actually designed by God to be in charge of protection, so by nature are supposed to have extra energy. They’re supposed to have this extra drive, fortitude, neuromuscular, get after it and handle stuff for their family.

But when your nervous system becomes exhausted in this area, it can lead to adrenal exhaustion, leaving you feeling burnt out. Your neuromuscular system plays a crucial role in your ability to exercise effectively. If your nervous system is stressed out and worn out, as is often the case for busy dads, you’re going to have a hard time finding the energy, flexibility, and mobility you need to work out safely and consistently. In fact, pushing yourself too hard in this state can lead to injury and setbacks.

That’s where chiropractic care comes in. 

By focusing on the health of your nervous system, chiropractors can help you lay a strong foundation for better fitness, nutrition, and mental health. 

During the first 30 to 90 days of chiropractic care, your chiropractor will work to make adjustments that reduce tension, activate your core, and energize your nervous system. 

All you need to do is show up for your appointments and let them do the rest. Chiropractic care is the ultimate health hack for dads because it takes the pressure off of you to do everything on your own. 

The HRV Scan

The second scan we look at is the HRV scan. The little white dot on the scan represents the dad’s stress level, and as you move towards the lower left, it indicates increasing levels of stress and exhaustion. This constant tension in the shoulders, low back, core, and adrenals can cause exhaustion throughout the body and nervous system. While exercise, supplements, and diet can help alleviate some symptoms, chiropractic care is the only solution that addresses the root cause of stress.

My goal is to let you know that there is a way out of the vicious cycle of stress, exhaustion, and feeling like crap. Getting healthy and active is possible with chiropractic care, which is a part of the family health system. It is the most effective solution for dads who want to regain their energy and get healthy.

Give Us a Call – Today! 

If you’re not sure where to start, begin by giving us a call to set up your baseline scan. If you aren’t local to us, find a PX doctor’s office near you that uses similar technology. Many dads make two mistakes when it comes to their health. They either don’t start at all or try to take on everything at once. 

At our office, we’ll work with you to create a customized plan based on your scan and consultation to get you healthy step by step. The first step is getting your energy or mojo back through chiropractic care. 

We believe that every dad deserves to feel healthy, vibrant, and full of energy. By simply getting connected, receiving a consultation, and getting a scan, you can begin to transform your health and become the energetic dad that you’ve always wanted to be.

It’s easy to get stuck in a rut and feel exhausted all the time. But you don’t have to be that dad anymore. You can take charge of your health and create a better future for yourself and your family. We’re here to support you every step of the way.

So, dads, let’s get after it and prioritize our health this summer. Together, we can create a healthier and happier future for ourselves and our families.

Hey parents, I want to talk about sleep today… or should I say lack of sleep. Let’s discuss the importance of sleep for your child’s health and well-being. Sleep is crucial for the immune, digestive, and cognitive systems of children. It impacts their social-emotional maturation and development. It is alarming to know that almost 50% of kids have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Not enough people are talking about this! 

Lack of sleep causes irritability, difficulty focusing, and decreased energy levels. These challenges are even more severe for children as their brain is still developing and learning to regulate emotions, focus, and behavior.

Did you know that the brain builds more neurons and connections during sleep in the first couple of years of life than later in life? 

During sleep, the brain repairs, recharges, and prepares for the next day. It’s essential for brain development and learning. Unfortunately, it’s common to see parents and children struggling with exhaustion, leading to unhealthy habits like excessive caffeine consumption in adults and behavior struggles in kids..

As a neurologically-focused pediatric chiropractor, I prioritize improving the sleep quality of my patients. We must address sleep as a primary concern. That’s why the popular tagline, “America runs on Dunkin,” is concerning. It’s exposing a significant problem with our culture’s addiction to caffeine, Starbucks, and energy drinks because we aren’t getting enough sleep!

We need to prioritize healthy sleep habits for our children and teenagers, as they need it most during this time of brain development and learning.

So what I want to do is help you get to the root cause of your child’s sleep challenges and sleep disorders. This information is relevant to families with infants, little ones, grade schoolers, teenagers, and even for you, mom and dad, if your sleep is not great either. If you have tried everything from magnesium, melatonin, essential oils, diffusers, lavender, probiotics, every white noise machine, and blackout curtains and are still not able to get your child to sleep, I promise you that this one thing I’m about to dive into is the missing link.

The Correlation Between Neurological Disorders and Sleep

I am an expert in pediatric chiropractic care with experience in helping sleep challenges in kiddos. Our practice specializes in treating colic, indigestion, neurological disorders such as epilepsy, Autism, TBI, anxiety, ADHD, sensory, and other spectrum disorders. We have found that the very first thing that we need to address in the case history of those kiddos is their struggle with sleep.

Whether we are working with brand new little babies or older kiddos struggling with some very serious life-affecting challenges, the very first thing we need to work on is sleep. As pediatric chiropractors, we focus on the root cause rather than just treating symptoms. Our obsession is to help your child get a good night’s sleep and, in turn, help them improve their motor planning, speech, behavior, and emotional well-being.

The Root Cause of Sleep Challenges

Lean in with me because I want to explain what may be causing your child’s sleep challenges and what we can do to help. This may get a bit deep into neurology, but I will keep it simple. Falling asleep and staying asleep both come from the same problem – an overactive, overstressed, overstimulated sympathetic fight or flight nervous system. During the day, it’s normal for our bodies to be on the gas pedal, with the nervous system being a little bit more fight or flighty as we go through our daily activities.

However, as nighttime approaches, our body’s central and autonomic nervous system senses our circadian rhythms and starts to activate what’s called the parasympathetic system. This is nicknamed the rest, sleep, and digestion side of the nervous system, and it’s the opposite of the fight or flight system. The parasympathetic nervous system helps us wind down and prepare for restful sleep.

Unfortunately, when children experience early life stressors such as birth interventions like forceps, vacuum extraction, C-sections, or induction, they may experience physical trauma to the nerves and muscles in the brainstem and upper cervical spine. This area of the body houses and protects a very important nerve called the vagus nerve, which is in charge of rest and digest functions.

The vagus nerve branches from the brainstem area, makes its way through the neck and into the thorax, and helps calm our heart rate and respiration, as well as activate digestion. It also goes into our social, emotional, and cognitive functions, slowing the brain down when it’s activated. If the vagus nerve is not functioning properly, children may struggle to shut their brains and bodies down, causing restlessness and difficulty sleeping.

This is a sign of vagus nerve dysfunction, also known as subluxation, which is simply our chiropractic term for stress stuck on the brake pedal with the vagus nerve shut down. We frequently see this in children who have suffered physical trauma to the upper neck at birth or in accidents, as well as those who experience constant pressure and tension on their neck and shoulders due to activities such as looking down at their phone or working on a computer for extended periods of time.

This issue, commonly referred to as “tech neck,” is a major contributing factor to why children’s nervous systems may become stuck on sympathetic fight or flight overdrive, preventing the brake pedal (parasympathetic nervous system) from functioning properly.

How Can Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Help?

As pediatric chiropractors focused on neurological care, we prioritize the consultation and case history to understand your child’s challenges better. From colic to sleep issues to sensory and behavioral challenges, we recognize that these issues often stem from an overactive sympathetic fight or flight system and a vagus nerve brake pedal shutdown. 

These issues can lead to cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and brain-based challenges.

At the core of our care is our unique approach to adjustments, called neuro-tonal adjustments, that activate the vagus nerve and the rest and digest system. Our goal in the first week, month, and 100 days of chronic issues is to activate the vagus nerve and restore basic building blocks of health, like sleep.

Our approach to care has led to regular and common improvements in sleep and overall health, as reported by 65% of our patients within the first month. Improvements in sleep lead to improved mood, cognition, gut health, and more. This is especially true for older children with neurological challenges. These results are as common as they come in our PX Docs offices.

We recognize that healing happens in the order in which children get sick and that issues with sleep, digestion, and immunity are all under the control of the nervous system and the vagus nerve. By addressing the sympathetic fight or flight subluxation and reducing stress and noise, we can restore the function of the vagus nerve and the rest and digest system.

If you’ve tried other approaches without success, we believe that neurologically focused chiropractic care may be the missing link for your child’s health. We invite you to learn more about our approach and how it can benefit your child’s health.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s sleep, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. 

If your child has experienced physical trauma during birth or has had a difficult start, they may be stuck in a fight or flight mode. Our INSiGHT neurological testing can measure the amount of stress on your child’s nervous system and determine if their vagus nerve is dysfunctional or shut down. This will give you the answers you need to help your child get the restful sleep they need.

I know it’s common for parents and kids to be exhausted and emotional, but it’s not normal. 

Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care is the best solution for sleep challenges in children, more effective than other natural remedies like magnesium or melatonin. If you’ve tried everything and are still struggling with sleep issues, we encourage you to reach out to our office today.

Getting your child the sleep they need is essential for their overall health and well-being. Once your child is sleeping well, the whole family will benefit from better sleep and improved mood. Please share this information with other families who may be struggling with sleep challenges. We are here to provide hope, answers, and drug-free help