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Explore our blog that focuses on holistic care for any and all ages - pediatric well-being, pre/post-natal health, and adult vitality.
THE BLOG
As a parent, watching your once full-of-life teenager transform into someone withdrawn, constantly overwhelmed, and struggling with anxiety or depression can be heart-wrenching. You’ve likely consulted various healthcare providers, tried different approaches, and perhaps even considered medication—yet your teen’s struggles continue.
What if we told you that the root cause might not be the “chemical imbalance” that most conventional doctors continue to blame these rapidly increasing teen challenges on?
The Crisis Our Teens Are Facing
The United States is facing an unprecedented mental health crisis among adolescents. According to recent CDC data, 44% of American high school students report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Even more alarming, nearly one in three teenage girls report having seriously contemplated suicide—twice the rate of boys.
What’s particularly interesting is that during this same period of rising mental health challenges, we’ve seen some positive trends for young people. Including reduced alcohol consumption and fewer teen pregnancies. Yet anxiety and depression have continued to surge across all demographics.
Beyond the Chemical Imbalance Theory
While traditional medicine typically addresses these challenges with medications aimed at correcting presumed chemical imbalances, many parents find these approaches merely mask the symptoms rather than address underlying causes.
The truth is, the ‘chemical imbalance’ theory behind anxiety and depression isn’t as scientific or proven as most people believe.
What’s really happening? Our teens’ nervous systems are stuck in ‘fight or flight’ — constantly dysregulated, exhausted, and overwhelmed. They’re trapped in stress mode 24/7, often chasing constant stimulation just to cope.
Understanding the Neurological Foundation
From a neurological perspective, anxiety and depression are often connected to imbalances in the autonomic nervous system. Specifically between the sympathetic “fight or flight” response and the parasympathetic “rest and digest” functions.
This neurological imbalance, called dysautonomia, represents a crucial but often overlooked root cause that can leave teens stuck in a persistent state of stress and emotional dysregulation.
The Critical Role of the Vagus Nerve
The vagus nerve is the primary component of the parasympathetic nervous system and plays a crucial role in emotional regulation, stress recovery, and social connection.
This “wandering nerve” connects the brain to vital organs and helps regulate heart rate, breathing, digestion, inflammation, and emotional states.
Research shows that lower vagal tone is significantly linked to challenges in managing emotions and a heightened sensitivity to stress. Exactly what we see in teens with anxiety and depression.
When vagus nerve function is compromised due to subluxation and nervous system stress, it affects your teen’s ability to calm themselves, process emotions, and maintain balanced mood states.
The “Perfect Storm” Leading to Teen Mental Health Issues
This neurological dysfunction often begins early in life, what we call “The Perfect Storm”:
- Maternal stress during pregnancy can affect the developing fetal nervous system through stress hormones that cross the placental barrier.
- Birth interventions like forceps deliveries or C-sections can cause subtle injuries to the upper neck and brainstem regions. Potentially affecting the vagus nerve and leading to subluxation.
- Early childhood factors continue building the foundation for later challenges, including repeated infections, frequent antibiotic use, disrupting the gut-brain axis, environmental toxins, and physical injuries.
- Modern lifestyle factors significantly amplify these neurological imbalances. Including digital technology, sleep disruption, decreased physical activity, and poor nutrition affecting the gut microbiome and vagal function.
Many researchers have noted that the sharp rise in teen mental health issues coincided with the widespread adoption of smartphones around 2012, pointing to digital technology as a significant factor—but the full picture is much more complex and begins much earlier in life.
Recognizing Signs of Nervous System Dysfunction in Your Teen
If your teen is struggling, look for these signs that may indicate neurological imbalance:
- Physical signs like sleep disturbances, appetite changes, digestive issues, continually getting sick, fatigue + exhaustion, and restlessness often reflect an underlying neurological imbalance.
- Emotional indicators such as persistent sadness, excessive worry, irritability, and loss of interest stem from an autonomic nervous system stuck in sympathetic dominance.
- Behavioral changes including social withdrawal, declining academic performance, and increased sensitivity to criticism frequently signal nervous system dysregulation rather than just “typical teen behavior.”
There Is Hope: Finding the Root Cause
Simply put – it’s NOT easy being a teen in today’s crazy world.
Thankfully, teens have a remarkable ability to bounce back and become resilient, adaptable, and joyful once again! The teen brain and nervous system are going through so many changes all at once, and once we get the stuck sympathetic stress, tension, subluxation, and exhaustion out of the way for them – it’s programmed for healing + recovery!
At RCW, we use advanced technology, called INSiGHT Scans, which can help us identify specific areas of dysregulation and dysautonomia and provide critical insights into your teen’s autonomic function.
Based on these assessments, we can then create personalized care plans, including specialized approaches designed to release excessive sympathetic “fight or flight” activity while stimulating the vagus nerve and parasympathetic function.
By addressing these neurological imbalances, we help restore proper communication pathways between the brain and body, creating the physiological foundation for improved emotional health and mood regulation.
Renewed Hope for Parents
Parents often tell us they feel renewed hope after learning about this nervous system-focused approach to healing! They’re relieved to discover there’s a different path they can take. One that doesn’t rely on potentially dangerous medications with long-term side effects, but instead focuses on restoring proper function to the systems that naturally regulate mood, stress, and emotional well-being.
If your teen is struggling with anxiety or depression, it’s likely their nervous system is imbalanced and dysregulated – and there is hope for healing. The teen brain is remarkably resilient when given the right support. So please don’t wait to reach out to RCW to schedule a consultation today!
Your teen’s story isn’t over. There’s so much healing ahead. Let’s take the first step together.
Have you ever noticed how your baby seems perfectly content in your arms, but the moment someone else holds them, the waterworks begin? Or how does your little one somehow sense when you’re stressed and respond in kind? Or why healthcare providers prioritize skin-to-skin contact right after birth?
It’s not a coincidence—it’s co-regulation. And it might just be the most powerful tool in your parenting toolkit.
We want to share with you the absolute best hack when it comes to soothing a colicky baby, bringing down a fever naturally, and even boosting your milk supply. Would you believe it’s all the same approach?
What Is Co-Regulation (And Why It’s Your Parenting Superpower)
Let us let you in on a little secret: your nervous system controls everything, and your baby’s nervous system is deliberately underdeveloped at birth. This isn’t a design flaw—it’s by design! Babies need their parents to help regulate, calm, and nurture them.
Your calm presence isn’t just emotionally comforting—it actually provides the neurological pattern your baby’s developing brain needs to learn regulation. When you hold your baby close, their heart rate, breathing patterns, and stress hormone levels literally synchronize with yours. It’s a beautiful biological dance that sets the foundation for lifelong health and emotional well-being.
The first three years of life represent a critical period for brain development, with more than 1 million new neural connections formed every second. Studies clearly show that babies receiving regular skin-to-skin contact have better temperature regulation, improved breastfeeding success, and significantly less crying.
This is all called co-regulation, and it truly is the best “hack” when it comes to anything baby-related!
Understanding the Nervous System Connection
Think of your nervous system like a car:
- Your sympathetic system is the gas pedal—revving up your heart rate and stress hormones when you perceive danger or stress.
- Your parasympathetic system (primarily activated by the vagus nerve) is the brake pedal—slowing things down and promoting relaxation.
Your baby is remarkably aware of your nervous system state. They’re not reading your words or even your intentions—they’re picking up on subtle cues through your facial expressions, voice tone, heart rate, breathing pattern, and the quality of your touch.
When you’re stressed, your baby often becomes stressed too. When you’re calm, your baby can borrow your calmness until they develop their own regulation skills.
Why Co-Regulation Doesn’t Always Come Naturally
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, co-regulation doesn’t seem to work. Your baby remains fussy despite your cuddles, or you find yourself struggling to maintain the calm your baby needs.
This isn’t your fault! Several factors can create a “perfect storm” that affects co-regulation:
- Fertility struggles and the stress they bring
- High maternal stress during pregnancy (which floods the developing baby with stress hormones through the umbilical cord)
- Birth interventions like C-sections, forceps, and vacuum extraction that can create physical tension in the delicate neurospinal structures of both mother and baby
This physical tension can cause subluxation—areas of neurological dysfunction that interfere with proper nerve communication. Particularly affecting the vagus nerve and autonomic balance.
Without addressing these root neurological issues, babies don’t simply “grow out” of regulation challenges. They often “grow into” other health challenges like sensory issues, digestive problems, and emotional regulation difficulties.
How Neurologically-Focused Care Can Help
When co-regulation isn’t happening naturally, Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care can help restore balance to both your nervous systems:
- Comprehensive neurological scans (INSiGHT Scans) can objectively measure nervous system function in both mother and baby
- Gentle adjustments address areas of subluxation and restore proper neurological function
- As neurological function improves and vagus nerve function is restored, dramatic improvements often follow in sleep patterns, feeding behaviors, emotional regulation, and overall contentment
The Journey Forward
The journey of motherhood is absolutely amazing and such a blessing… but that doesn’t mean it isn’t hard sometimes! You’re not meant to do this alone, and seeking support isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of wisdom.
Co-regulation isn’t just a parenting technique; it’s a biological necessity for your baby’s developing nervous system. By understanding and nurturing this connection, you’re giving your child the neurological foundation for lifelong health and emotional well-being.
At RCW, we understand that your ability to co-regulate improves when your whole family’s nervous systems are functioning optimally. When everyone is regulated, the ripple effect creates a harmonious environment where your baby can thrive.
If you’re ready to take the first step and schedule a consultation, please don’t wait and reach out to us today!
You already have everything you need to be the calming force in your baby’s life. Trust your instincts, honor the power of your connection, and remember that in those moments when your baby finds peace in your arms, you’re not just soothing them—you’re literally shaping their developing brain in the most beautiful way possible.
Now that’s a superpower worth celebrating!
As a brand new parent, you want to give your newborn the absolute best start in life. You’re carefully selecting the safest car seat, researching the most nutritious feeding options, and creating the perfect sleep environment. But what many parents don’t realize is that even the most “normal” birth process puts tremendous physical stress on your baby’s delicate body. Particularly their brainstem, neck, and nervous system.
Birth Is More Physically Demanding Than We Realize
In the United States, nearly 1 in 3 deliveries now end in C-sections. Beyond that, many births involve other interventions like induction, forceps or vacuum delivery, and various forms of manual assistance. The numbers are quite staggering once you look closely at what’s happening in labor and delivery rooms across developed countries.
But it’s not just birth interventions that can cause concern. Even in natural, intervention-free births, the physical stress of labor and delivery places significant pressure on an infant’s spine and delicate nervous system. This pressure can lead to subtle birth trauma and neurological interference caused by misalignments, also known as subluxation, which may impact your child’s development, nervous system regulation, and overall health from the very beginning.
Understanding Those Challenging First Weeks
Those first few weeks with your newborn can be challenging if you are dealing with constant crying, difficulty nursing, sleep struggles, reflux, or colic. While conventional medicine often dismisses these as “normal baby problems” that they’ll eventually outgrow, these signs may actually be indicating underlying neurological dysfunction that can be addressed.
In a study from the American Osteopathic Association, subluxation or “somatic dysfunction” was found in 99% of healthy newborns. The severity and incidence of these biomechanical challenges within the spine and cranial system increase with longer labor times and the use of birth interventions.
This statistic may seem staggering, especially considering that conventional pediatricians typically have no training in identifying or addressing these issues. Even children born naturally without intervention can benefit massively from an early life chiropractic check-up that looks for subluxation and nervous system dysfunction.
Why Early Detection Matters
The reason it can be beneficial to find subluxation early is that it not only can cause immediate issues with latching, nursing, digestion, sleeping, and soothing—but they are NOT something your child will simply “grow out of.” Due to their location within the nervous system and brainstem regions, they commonly begin to affect various aspects of growth and development as time goes on—most notably interfering with gross motor development, fine motor skills, speech, and other developmental milestones.
The Science Behind Birth-Related Subluxation
Infants Cannot Protect Their Delicate Spine
What makes birth trauma particularly concerning is that newborns have no motor or muscular control developed yet, so they can’t protect themselves during the birth process. This significantly increases the likelihood and severity of neck and brainstem injuries from birth intervention.
Understanding Subluxation in Newborns
Subluxation in your baby’s neurospinal system has three key components:
- Misalignment within the neurospinal system, which can lead to issues like difficulty latching, torticollis (neck tightness), and plagiocephaly (flat spots on the head).
- Fixation and restricted motion. Movement is essential for a developing infant as it provides the brain with proprioception—when subluxation creates fixation, it reduces this vital input to the brain.
- Neurological interference and imbalance, which disrupts proper communication between the brain and body.
The Critical Role of the Brainstem and Upper Neck
All motor tone and development for the entire body is controlled and coordinated by the cerebellum, brainstem, and upper cervical region of the spinal cord. It functions like an “air traffic control” center. When the nerves and muscles of the upper neck and spine are compromised in the first moments of life, all motor development downstream is negatively affected.
And remember—motor development equals brain development in infants.
The Vagus Nerve Connection
The upper neck and brainstem region, the area most affected by birth trauma, houses the vagus nerve—the primary controller of your baby’s parasympathetic “rest, digest, and regulate” nervous system.
When birth trauma creates subluxation in this area, it can significantly disrupt vagus nerve function, leading to dysautonomia (imbalance in the autonomic nervous system). This disruption can affect virtually every major system in your baby’s body: digestive function (colic, reflux, constipation), sleep regulation, immune response, emotional regulation, and developmental milestones.
Common “Normal Baby Problems” That Signal Neurological Dysfunction
What if those common challenges aren’t just phases to endure but actual signs of a nervous system under stress?
- Colic and excessive crying aren’t just “phases” but often manifestations of a stressed nervous system struggling to regulate itself.
- Breastfeeding difficulties frequently stem from upper cervical subluxation affecting the cranial nerves that control sucking, swallowing, and other precise movements.
- Reflux and digestive issues often occur when vagus nerve dysfunction disrupts normal digestive motility.
- Sleep disturbances happen when a subluxated nervous system stuck in sympathetic dominance makes it difficult for babies to relax into deep, restorative sleep.
- Early developmental delays can occur when subluxation restricts normal movement patterns that stimulate proper neurological development.
The Gentle Approach of Pediatric Chiropractic Care
Unlike the adjustments you might picture for adults, newborn adjustments are incredibly gentle—using no more pressure than you would to test the ripeness of a tomato or press on your closed eyelid.
These precise, gentle techniques are specifically designed to release tension patterns and restore proper nervous system communication, allowing your baby’s body to function optimally.
We use advanced technology like INSiGHT Scans to identify precise areas of nervous system stress, allowing for highly specific and individualized care plans tailored to your baby’s unique needs.
Setting the Foundation for Lifelong Health
The first year of your baby’s life represents an extraordinary period of development. During this time, their brain will more than double in size and form more than a million new neural connections every second. These early patterns establish the foundation that will influence their health and development for years to come.
By ensuring that your baby’s nervous system is functioning optimally from the very beginning, you’re not just addressing immediate challenges like colic, reflux, or sleep issues—you’re setting them up for a lifetime of improved health, stronger immunity, better regulation, and optimal development.
Taking Proactive Action
Don’t wait until those “normal baby problems” become chronic issues. You can take a proactive approach to your child’s health by scheduling consultation at RCW with one of our neurologically-focused pediatric chiropractors as soon as possible after birth.
A comprehensive assessment will include a detailed health history, gentle physical examination, and advanced neurological scans to identify areas of nervous system stress.
We know that taking care of your newborn baby can be the most exciting AND nerve-racking time of your life! By considering neurologically-focused chiropractic care, you’re taking an important step toward giving your baby the best possible start—one where their nervous system can function optimally from day one, allowing them to grow, develop, and thrive as nature intended.
Let us guess… your child doesn’t just have one speed.
One moment, they’re bouncing off the walls — shouting, spinning, climbing on furniture, and melting down when something doesn’t go their way.
The next moment? They’re completely zoned out and disconnected. Blank stare. Can’t follow instructions. It’s like they’re in the room… but not really there.
You’ve tried the parenting books, the behavior and reward charts, maybe even medications — and still, you’re left asking – Why is my child like this?
And more importantly… How do I actually help them?
Looking Beyond the Labels to Find Real Answers
Here’s the truth that most traditional approaches miss: what we label as ADHD or ADD is often just the tip of the iceberg. Underneath those labels are two very different nervous system patterns – what we call “stuck on the gas pedal” and “stuck on the brake pedal.”
Understanding these patterns helps us make sense of not just the symptoms and everyday challenges, but most importantly, the nervous system dysregulation that’s actually causing them.
Two Sides of the Same Coin
The “Gas Pedal” ADHD Type
This child is stuck in “on” mode – flooded with energy, impulsivity, and big emotions that can’t be controlled. They’re constantly moving, talking, fidgeting, and struggling to slow down. Traditional approaches often focus solely on “managing” these behaviors rather than understanding why they’re happening.
The “Brake Pedal” ADD Type
This child is often shut down, exhausted, foggy, slow to process, and overwhelmed by everything around them. They may appear “lazy” or unmotivated when in reality, their nervous system is struggling to engage properly. This type was formerly known as ADD but is now classified as predominantly inattentive ADHD in modern diagnostic terms.
What’s fascinating – and what many parents don’t realize – is how often these patterns evolve into each other over time. The hyperactive child can develop attention issues as they become frustrated with academic challenges, while the inattentive child can become hyperactive from the built-up stress and anxiety of constantly struggling.
The Concerning Reality of Current Approaches
According to the CDC, an estimated 7 million children in the United States have been diagnosed with ADHD. Approximately 3.5 million of these children (about 69%) are currently prescribed medication for the condition.
While medications work for some children, they often come with concerning side effects:
- Sleep problems and insomnia
- Appetite suppression
- Emotional dysregulation and irritability
- Anxiety and nervousness
- Tics or involuntary movements
- Persistent headaches
- Stomach pain and nausea
- Increased blood pressure and heart rate
- Social withdrawal or “zombie-like” behavior
Most importantly, these medications do not address the root cause — which is often a stressed, dysregulated nervous system. This can lead to a cycle of chasing symptoms, adjusting dosages, or adding more medications to address side effects.
Understanding the True Neurological Roots
At the core of both ADHD presentations lies a complex interplay of neurological factors that impact a child’s ability to regulate attention, behavior, and emotions.
The three key elements we find most often are:
- Subluxation & Sympathetic Dominance: Misalignments, tension, and restricted mobility within the neurospinal system that interfere with how the brain and body communicate. These physical disruptions, often stemming from birth trauma or early injuries, create “noise” in the nervous system.
- Nervous System Dysregulation & Dysautonomia: When subluxation persists, it throws the autonomic nervous system out of balance, often leaving children stuck in a heightened “fight or flight” response that makes calm focus nearly impossible.
- Vagus Nerve Dysfunction: The vagus nerve is essential for activating the “rest and regulate” parasympathetic response. When it’s not functioning properly, children struggle to regulate emotions, attention, and behavior.
Hope, Healing, and Transformation Are Possible
Your child isn’t broken. They don’t need more labels. They need answers. They need understanding. And they need a care plan that finally gets it right.
The best part? We can actually measure what’s happening in your child’s nervous system using specialized scans. These Neurological INSiGHT Scans don’t just label — they measure and map out what’s causing the chaos, so a customized, drug-free care plan can be created to help your child calm their brain, regain focus, and thrive.
From Struggle to Superpower
Here’s what every parent needs to know:
Millions of kids today are either struggling with undiagnosed ADHD — or have a diagnosis but are still stuck in the same cycle of symptoms, side effects, and little to no progress.
That’s because most ADHD tests and treatment plans stop at surface-level symptoms. They label the child… but don’t look deeper into the real root cause.
True ADHD struggles begin in the brain and nervous system. And unless we measure what’s happening under the surface, we miss the most important part.
When your child is locked in stress mode neurologically, no amount of behavior charts, medications, or consequences can bring lasting change. But when we help restore balance to the nervous system? Focus can improve. Meltdowns can decrease. Sleep stabilizes. And what was once seen as a disorder can become a superpower.
Taking the Next Step
If you’re tired of guessing… tired of medications that don’t work… or tired of watching your child struggle without answers — it’s time to look deeper. It’s time to turn your child’s struggle into their greatest strength.
At RCW, we take the time to find the root cause that can help your child heal safely and naturally.
Remember: Understanding which kind of pedal your child’s brain is stuck on is the first step in finding the right solution. With the right approach, your child’s unique brain can become their greatest asset rather than their biggest challenge.
Keep reading to learn the key differences between standard chiropractic care, integrated or functional therapies, and truly specialized neurologically-focused Pediatric chiropractic care.
The Truth About Pediatric Chiropractic Care
Not all chiropractors are equipped to help children—especially those with complex neurological challenges like sensory processing issues, ADHD, or chronic health concerns.
Let us share a story about a young patient named Henry. He came to our practice after trying traditional chiropractic care without success. Henry struggled with intense sensory processing challenges—running full speed into walls for sensory input, having extreme reactions to clothing textures, and struggling with impulse control.
His previous chiropractor provided care, but without a neurological focus and proper frequency, Henry’s underlying issues weren’t being addressed. After just one month of specialized, neurologically-focused care, his mother noticed profound changes they hadn’t seen before. His sensory-seeking behaviors became less intense and more manageable, and his overall regulation improved dramatically.
So what makes the difference? There are core components that determine whether your child is getting the right care. They may seem simple, but they make all the difference.
The 5 Critical Elements That Make Pediatric Chiropractic Care Effective
1. Advanced Education and Training
Most chiropractors have advanced training in spinal care, back pain, neck pain, etc. But taking care of kids requires specialized pediatric training that goes far beyond basic chiropractic education.
Today’s children face what we call “The Perfect Storm“—unfortunately high levels of stress and toxicity building up early in their lives, contributing to the fact that over 50% of kids today are chronically ill or struggling with complex health conditions.
Advanced pediatric training includes a deep understanding of:
- Developmental milestones
- Nervous system function
- Brain development
- The gut-brain connection
- Neuroinflammation
- And much more
When your child’s care provider has this specialized training, they’re better equipped to address the root causes of your child’s challenges rather than just treating symptoms.
2. Experience with Pediatric Cases
While many chiropractic practices may have “Family” in their name and see a few kids here and there, you’re really looking for someone who is FULLY focused on Pediatric and Family Care and has extensive experience with complex cases.
An experienced pediatric chiropractor should have a track record of successfully working with children who have:
- Sensory processing challenges
- ADHD
- Autism
- Chronic conditions like ear infections or constipation
- And even more complex conditions like seizures or special needs
You’re also looking for an office that is fully focused on kids in terms of the environment, layout, and approach—a place where your child feels comfortable and welcomed.
3. Advanced Technology and Neurological Testing
In 2025, it’s essential that your child’s chiropractor uses advanced technology like INSiGHT Scans to properly assess nervous system function.
These non-invasive scans take just 15-20 minutes yet provide more information on the real root cause of your child’s condition than many other forms of testing. They allow practitioners to find nervous system dysfunction, dysregulation, and subluxation with precision.
Most importantly, these scans should be performed throughout care to track progress and ensure that real neurological change, healing, and restoration is happening.
4. Multiple Adjusting Techniques
Each child’s case is unique and requires a personalized approach. Using one singular technique often limits results in complex cases.
Different adjusting techniques address various aspects of nervous system dysfunction. A one-size-fits-all approach simply won’t address complex pediatric needs.
The right pediatric chiropractor should be well-versed in multiple techniques and able to adapt their approach to your child’s specific needs and comfort level.
5. Appropriate Care Planning
Today’s children often need more intensive care plans than previous generations due to the increased neurological challenges they face.
A proper pediatric care plan should include:
- Frequency and duration based on neurological assessment, not just a standard “one-size-fits-all” approach
- Adaptability as your child progresses
- Regular reassessment to ensure optimal results
- Clear communication with parents about expectations and progress
Finding the Right Care for Your Child
If you’re feeling frustrated with your child’s current chiropractic care, or if you’re just starting to explore options for your child’s health, now is the time to make a change.
The right care can make all the difference—just ask Henry’s mom, who saw transformation in her son after finding the right provider.
Your child deserves care that’s specifically designed for their unique needs. With the right chiropractic care, you can give them the support they need to reach their full potential.
Remember, it’s not that chiropractic doesn’t work for children—it’s that not all chiropractors are equally prepared to work with children, especially those with complex neurological challenges.
Taking the Next Step
If you’re ready to explore this type of neurologically-focused pediatric chiropractic care for your child, reach out to RCW today! We specialize in this specialized form of neurologically-focused care and are here to make both you and your child feel comfortable, heard, and hopeful. If you are not local to us, check out the PX Docs directory to find a PX Docs office near you.
Your child’s health journey deserves the best possible support. With the right care, we can help your child thrive—neurologically, physically, and emotionally.
If you’re a parent wondering why children today seem to face more health challenges than ever before, you’re not alone. The statistics are truly alarming. The CDC admits that an astonishing 40% of American children are currently struggling with at least one chronic illness. While other research and medical experts put this number even higher at 50% or beyond.
As parents, we have to ask ourselves: Why are our children struggling more than ever with chronic health issues?
It doesn’t matter which path we look down – from chronic digestive disorders to inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, to neurological conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder, anxiety, epilepsy, and depression – millions of children and families are suffering.
Beyond Conventional Explanations
While conventional medicine often blames genetics and bad luck, rushing to prescribe medications that only mask symptoms (and potentially create new problems), there’s a deeper truth.
Even many holistic-minded, natural health, and functional medicine providers may miss this critical piece of the puzzle.
The truth is that chronic illness in children is almost always multi-factorial. The root cause isn’t just genetics, and we can’t simply blame toxins and poor nutrition either.
What if we need to look even deeper than genetics, gluten, and environmental toxins? What if all those factors do play a role, along with overuse of medications, antibiotics, and other interventions… but there’s still more to the story?
What if the most pervasive and persistent cause of chronic illness in our kids is something hiding right in plain sight?
For Parents Who Have Tried Everything
This information is especially for you if you feel frustrated and disappointed by conventional healthcare, but also feel like you’ve exhausted every natural and holistic treatment available.
If you’ve tried medications, supplements, detoxification protocols, and maybe even approaches like hyperbaric oxygen therapy or treatments targeting neuroinflammation – but still feel that something fundamental is missing – trust that intuition.
The Perfect Storm: Understanding Early Life Stressors
Let’s break down what we call “The Perfect Storm” of early life stressors that can lead to chronic illness. This complex health crisis begins with three primary factors that create the perfect conditions for disruption in our children’s developing nervous systems:
- High levels of maternal stress during pregnancy and/or fertility challenges.
The mother’s physiological state and stress levels during pregnancy directly impact the developing baby’s nervous system. - Birth interventions and trauma.
C-sections, forceps deliveries, vacuum extraction, induction, cord complications, and other birth interventions can create physical stress on the infant’s delicate neurological system. - Early exposure to medications, antibiotics, toxins, and environmental stressors.
These exposures can disrupt the developing nervous and immune systems at critical developmental windows.
Today, we must also recognize the additional stress that technology, screen time, and social media exposure places on our children’s nervous systems. Often long before they’re developmentally ready to handle this type of sensory and emotional input.
Nervous System Dysregulation: The Missing Link
When a child’s developing brain and nervous system are exposed to these stressors early and often, it causes their autonomic nervous system to shift into a sustained “fight-or-flight” response. This means their sympathetic nervous system gets stuck in overdrive and is constantly “switched on.”
This neurological dysregulation manifests differently at various developmental stages:
- In infants, it looks like colic, reflux, and excessive fussiness
- In toddlers and young children, it appears as meltdowns, tantrums, and trouble with transitions
- In school-age children, we see impulsivity, behavior issues, and focus or concentration challenges
- In teenagers and young adults, it often “grows into” anxiety, ADHD, and other diagnosed conditions
This state of constant neurological stress prevents children from being in their natural “growth and development” mode, throwing them off track developmentally.
Early warning signs like colic, reflux, constipation, chronic ear infections, and developmental delays aren’t just isolated issues that children will “grow out of.” They’re actually red flags signaling deeper neurological dysfunction and the beginnings of “The Perfect Storm.”
The Cascade Effect on Body Systems
Once the nervous system is thrown into sympathetic overdrive and becomes dysregulated (a condition known as dysautonomia), it begins to “shut down” the function of other core bodily systems:
The Gut + Digestive System
When the nervous system is constantly stuck in fight-or-flight mode, it diverts energy away from digestion. This shuts down digestive motility, absorption, assimilation, and elimination. Leading to limited detoxification pathways and leaving the body more prone to the buildup of toxins and harmful microorganisms.
The Respiratory-Immune System
Sustained sympathetic stress leaves the immune system in a hypersensitive, pro-inflammatory state. Neurological inflammation is now implicated in nearly every chronic childhood condition, from autism to autoimmune conditions.
The Sensori-Motor System
Nervous system dysfunction significantly alters motor tone, coordination, and sensory processing. Leading to sensory challenges, gross and fine motor delays, speech delays, and more.
Why Most Approaches Fall Short
Here’s where both conventional and alternative approaches often miss the mark. The conventional medical system chases symptoms and works on “individual systems” rather than addressing the whole body and nervous system.
Similarly, even functional or natural medicine practitioners often work on specific symptoms with supplements or detox protocols instead of addressing the foundational nervous system dysregulation directly.
The critical issue is that nervous system dysregulation, dysfunction, and dysautonomia typically don’t show up on standard medical testing, lab work, or blood work. These foundational root cause issues can only be identified through specialized assessments like INSiGHT Scanning Technology, which evaluates the function of the autonomic nervous system.
The Path to Healing and Recovery
The good news is that your child’s health challenges aren’t simply genetic destiny or bad luck. By addressing the root cause – nervous system dysfunction and dysregulation – we can help restore balance and function naturally to the brain and body. Without relying on endless medications and interventions.
Neurologically-focused chiropractic care, particularly through specific, gentle chiropractic adjustments, can directly address these nervous system imbalances and help restore proper function.
Signs of Healing
We know children are on the right path to healing when what we call the “neurological soft signs” of recovery begin to emerge:
- Improved sleep
- Better digestion
- Enhanced immune function
- Improved motor tone and coordination
- Better ability to handle transitions and make decisions
As care progresses and we begin to see momentum building with these improvements, we can be confident that a child is on the path to optimal health and wellness.
Taking the Next Step
While it can feel overwhelming to learn about these complex factors affecting our children’s health, understanding the root cause is the first step toward true healing.
Trust your parental intuition. If you feel there’s more to your child’s health challenges than what you’ve been told, you’re probably right. The nervous system connection is often that missing piece of the puzzle.
If you’re ready to discover the real root cause of your child’s health struggles and learn about natural, drug-free solutions, reach out to RCW today to schedule a consultation for your child. We specialize in Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care and understand the critical connection between nervous system function and overall health.
Your child deserves to thrive, not just survive. And understanding this missing link could be the key that unlocks their full health potential.
