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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, it’s natural to feel concerned and confused when your child experiences gross motor delays. You may have tried everything. From countless physical therapy and occupational therapy sessions to diligently following through with home exercises. Only to see little to no progress. If your child struggles to sit up, crawl, or walk despite months of traditional therapy. Or fatigues easily, slouches constantly, and avoids physical activities altogether, you’re not alone. Many parents find themselves in the same situation, wondering why their child’s gross motor development seems to have plateaued.
But what if we told you that the root cause of your child’s challenges might be something that’s often overlooked? The real issue behind gross motor delays in kids goes way beyond low muscle tone and a weak core.
The Importance of Gross Motor Skills
Gross motor skills are crucial for a child’s overall development and daily activities. These skills involve movements that require the entire body. They primarily utilize the large muscle groups like the arms, legs, and core. However, there’s a set of nerves and muscles that are often left out of the conversation when discussing gross motor skills and development: those of the neck and neurospinal system.
Gross motor development follows a predictable sequence, starting with head and neck control for latching and nursing. As your child grows, they begin to develop trunk control through tummy time and learning to roll over. Next, they start activating their core muscles to sit up independently. From there, your child progresses to army crawling and regular crawling, which are essential for brain development. Finally, they learn to furniture cruise and take their first steps.
The Missing Piece: The Role of the Neurospinal System
While traditional therapies focus on strengthening muscles and improving coordination, they often overlook the critical role of the nervous system. Particularly the neurospinal system in gross motor function. If we want to get to the root cause of any neuromuscular or gross motor challenge, we must first address the “neuro” part. This is where meurologicaly-focused chiropractic care comes in. It can access and improve central nervous system function in a way that PT and OT cannot.
Subluxation and sympathetic dominance, or increased tone, often set up shop in the neck and neurospinal system. These issues are most commonly caused by breech positioning or birth interventions like forceps, vacuum, induction, or c-section. The resulting hyper or high tone will remain stuck in those regions until adjusted and cleared out of the way. In other words, the original cause of “low tone” or a “weak core” is actually tension and subluxation in the neck and neurospinal system.
A Real-Life Example: Joseph’s Story
Let’s talk about Joseph, a 12-year-old boy who sought help with his daily challenges associated with autism, ataxia, and chronic constipation. What caught his doctor’s attention immediately were his significant gross motor delays and struggles.
Joseph’s mom shared, “He will always find a way to slouch, no matter what we do.” Joseph struggled to sit up straight, stand tall, and move around without exhaustion. His body was simultaneously “wound up and worn out”. Leading him to seek additional movement stimulation through constant stimming and other behaviors. As a result, they had stopped all PT and OT and pretty much “given up” that his gross motor function and posture would ever get back to normal.
However, within the very first week of getting neurologically-focused chiropractic care, Joseph’s gross motor function and endurance took off like a rocket. He was asking to go to the gym, work out, hit the treadmill, and go to the park to play! Mom was ecstatic, and so was his doctor.
The Path Forward: Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care
If your child has been struggling with gross motor delays and you feel like you’ve tried everything without lasting results, it’s time to look deeper. Subluxation, excessive sympathetic tone, and the lasting effects of birth trauma could still be at play.
At RCW, we can help you find out how your child’s gross motor function is doing down to the very core by using Neurological INSiGHT Scans, especially the EMG. Once we have the results of these scans, our doctors can create a customized and fully tailored adjusting care plan made just for your child. This approach can help your little one finally get past that plateau or stuck point and get back on track with their gross motor development.
Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. By addressing the root cause of your child’s gross motor delays, you can help them unlock their full potential and thrive. Don’t give up hope – there are solutions available that can make a significant difference in your child’s life and can help your child overcome their gross motor challenges and achieve the milestones they deserve.
Are you a parent who feels like you’ve exhausted all options when it comes to your child’s health? Have you tried conventional medicine only to be disappointed by its focus on symptoms alone rather than causes? Or perhaps you’ve tried numerous natural remedies yet still find something lacking? If any of this resonates with you, please know you’re not alone.
Millions of families share your frustration, seeking answers while feeling trapped in a cycle of doctor visits, therapies, and medications. But what if we told you there’s a really important piece missing from the puzzle? A crucial system in your child’s body that most is often overlooked. One that holds the key to your child’s health and wellness.
So, if you are tired of bandaid solutions and are eager to learn about the underlying causes of your child’s health challenges, read on to learn about the most crucial system in the body – the brain and the central nervous system.
Neurologically-focused pediatric chiropractic care is the key to getting your child’s health back on track. So keep reading to learn all about The Perfect Storm affecting our child’s health and how our drug-free approach aims to reverse it.
Understanding the Nervous System: The Foundation of Health
We go way beyond surface symptoms and dig down to the root cause of each child’s unique challenges. At the center of our approach is the nervous system— a complex network of nerves and cells that serves as the body’s master controller. The nervous system is responsible for coordinating every function, from breathing and digestion to movement and emotional regulation. When this system experiences stress or imbalance, it can present in your child as a multitude of health challenges.
Picture a car stuck in overdrive, revving at full throttle without pause. This is similar to what happens when a child’s nervous system gets stuck in a state of constant stress, known as sympathetic dominance. This prolonged activation of the fight-or-flight response can wreak havoc on your child’s body. Affecting every other system in their body, including:
- Digestive and gut health
- Immune health
- Gross and fine motor development
- Focus, cognition, behavior, and emotional regulation
This non-stop stress mode is what we call subluxation, dysautonomia, and nervous system dysregulation. All of which mean an overstressed and imbalanced nervous system. This overwhelming stress and neurological dysfunction can lead to a wide range of health challenges. Such as colic, ear infections, asthma, allergies, sensory processing disorder, ADHD, and so much more.
Identifying the Triggers
Understanding the triggers that contribute to sympathetic overdrive is important for getting to the root causes of your child’s health challenges. The three most common “Perfect Storm” triggers are:
- Prenatal Stress: high levels of stress, anxiety, and complications during pregnancy
- Birth Trauma: interventions such as forceps, vacuum, induction, and c-section
- Environmental Factors: early exposure to toxins, chemicals, and medications like antibiotics
While genetics, gut health, and nutrition are all essential to your child’s health, addressing the underlying neurological dysfunction is key when addressing chronic health challenges. We need to assess and measure the health and function of the nervous system first and foremost, and that is exactly what we do as neurologically-focused chiropractors.
The Power of INSiGHT Scans and Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care
We use technology called INSiGHT Scans to detect and measure the presence and level of subluxation and dysautonomia in every patient. These noninvasive scans help us find out if subluxation and nervous system dysregulation is present in your child. They also help to measure it and determine its severity and where the tension and imbalance is within the neurospinal system.
Once we have this information, we can create a personalized and individualized care plan for your child tailored to their unique needs. By addressing the root cause, restoring proper nervous system function, and improving regulation, your child can experience lasting improvements in their health and well-being.
At RCW, we specialize in this drug-free, neurologically focused approach to healthcare for the entire family. To learn more about our practice and how we can support your family’s well-being, please reach out to us today!
We are here to help you take charge of your family’s health and prioritize neurological health. Setting the stage for a lifetime of resilience in your children!
Are you exhausted from the endless cycle of trying to solve yours or your child’s health issues? You’ve tried every remedy, seen countless specialists, and put in place diet changes with little lasting effect. It’s an emotional rollercoaster struggling with chronic inflammation, gut problems, sensory overload, or mood swings. Each specialist offers a piece of the puzzle, but none seem to connect the dots completely. You’re left feeling like you’re trying to piece things together on your own, desperately seeking a solution that ties everything together.
But here’s a silver lining you may not know about: The Vagus Nerve. Often overlooked, holds the key to many of these challenges. It’s the controller of all bodily functions, from nervous system regulation to digestion and immunity. By enabling its function, you can start down a path to better health for your child.
In this blog, we’ll explore the vagus nerve, offering hope for families struggling with chronic health struggles. If you’ve felt dismissed by conventional approaches, if you’re tired of the medication merry-go-round, and if you’re desperate for answers, this is for you. We’re here to empower you with knowledge that goes beyond surface treatments, focusing instead on addressing the root cause of your challenges.
Through safe, non-invasive techniques and neurologically-focused chiropractic care, we’ll equip you with the tools to stimulate the vagus nerve and unlock your full health potential.
Anatomy and Function of the Vagus Nerve
The vagus nerve serves as the vital communication link between the brain and essential organs that are crucial for health. From regulating heart and lung function to influencing gut health, immunity, motor coordination, and social-emotional regulation, the vagus nerve is truly a powerhouse.
Often referred to as “The Wandering Nerve” and “The Great Protector,” it coordinates the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system. Guiding the body into its restorative and healing mode. Originating from the brainstem and extending down through the neck into the thorax and abdomen, its reach is extensive.
Vagus Nerve Dysfunction
The consequences of vagus nerve dysfunction are profound, impacting various aspects of well-being. Disruptions in communication between the brain and organ systems can lead to early digestive issues like colic and constipation, skin conditions like eczema, and a weakened immune system prone to inflammation and illness.
Moreover, vagus nerve dysfunction affects motor coordination, endocrine function, and neurotransmitter balance. Contributing to social and emotional challenges such as stress, anxiety, and behavioral issues.
Several factors can compromise the function of the vagus nerve. Starting from prenatal stress and complications during birth, or birth trauma, which strain the delicate brainstem and neck region housing the nerve. Additionally, exposure to stress hormones, frequent antibiotics, toxins, and nutritional deficiencies can worsen dysfunction, leading to serious health issues.
Challenges like colic, reflux, chronic ear infections, eczema, constipation, and sensory processing difficulties hint at underlying vagus nerve dysfunction. Stressing the need for neurologically-focused Chiropractic Care.
Getting The Vagus Nerve Back Online
Thankfully, advancements in technology offer hope for identifying and addressing vagus nerve dysfunction. Through Heart Rate Variability (HRV) scans, we gain insights into your or your child’s vagal tone.
At RCW, we utilize scans to tailor chiropractic adjustments that stimulate and activate the vagus nerve and parasympathetic nervous system. By getting to the root of the issue and promoting natural healing processes, we get things back online and healing naturally once again.
Natural methods like deep breathing, meditation, and spending time in nature offer valuable support for vagus nerve function. As well as addressing gut-immune inflammation issues. However, nothing is quite as direct in repairing and restoring vagus nerve and nervous system dysfunction as chiropractic adjustments.
It’s important to distinguish between nervous system support and genuine neurological healing. To truly tackle vagus nerve dysfunction and address the underlying causes of chronic health challenges, we need to fully restore the vagus nerve’s function with targeted adjustments and care plans.
So don’t wait to reach out to RCW today to kickstart your journey toward natural healing and full vagus nerve function!
When your child struggles with sensory issues – daily meltdowns, refusal to wear certain clothes or eat specific foods, difficulty sleeping – it can be exhausting and isolating. Each sensory-related tantrum or meltdown in public can make you feel the weight of judgmental stares from people unaware of the neurological root causing your family’s daily struggles.
As parents, there’s nothing we cherish more than our children. Witnessing them struggle with overwhelming situations like large crowds, loud noises, or certain textures is not just frustrating but heart-wrenching. Many mistakenly believe sensory issues in kids are mere phases, dismissing them as “boys being boys” or the “terrible twos.” However, these issues don’t resolve on their own and can escalate into significant challenges later in life.
So, if you are a parent who is seeking to fully understand sensory issues in your child and better explore natural solutions because traditional therapies and avoidance tactics are falling short, this is for you. We want to help you discover the nature of sensory issues. Their manifestations, impact on children’s lives, and underlying root causes like subluxation and vagus nerve dysfunction. We’ll dive into drug-free care options such as neurologically-focused chiropractic care, calming techniques, and more.
The Science Behind Sensory Issues
Sadly, the prevalence of sensory issues in kids has skyrocketed over the past few generations. Estimates today showing rates as high as 1 in 6 children. Despite this surge, providers often fail to recognize a child’s struggles and their true root causes Leaving parents feeling isolated and lost.
Sensory issues in children can be alarming for parents. Often, they’re linked to conditions like Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and ADHD. Imagine a scenario where your child’s brain is bombarded with constant “noise” and confusion due to sensory overload. It disrupts their focus, cognition, and emotional regulation, making everyday tasks seem daunting.
Sensory Issues and the Brain-Body Connection
These sensory challenges often stem from disruptions in the body-to-brain connection. The brain and body are intricately linked through sensory nerves. So, when the digestive system, muscles, or immune system falter, it sends ripples of tension and inflammation to the brain, worsening sensory issues.
Two vital pathways play a crucial role in sensory processing. The proprioceptive movement-based pathway, and the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is the number one most intricate and important sensory processing nerve in the entire body. These two sensory pathways are designed to calm, relax, and regulate the brain, which is exactly what kids with sensory issues struggle to do.
When disruptions occur in these pathways, leading to what we term subluxation, sensory issues can arise early and frequently for the child. The primary triggers for such disruptions include birth interventions such as forceps, vacuum extraction, induction, or c-section deliveries. These can cause interference to the brainstem, vagus nerve, and proprioception. These disturbances can significantly impact the child’s sensory development and overall well-being.
Parents often seek Occupational Therapy (OT) as the initial solution for addressing sensory issues. OT professionals put together plans that include exercises, integrative activities, and therapeutic tools to improve fine motor and sensory skills. Despite these efforts, movement-based therapies fail to address the deeper underlying issues. Such as subluxation, altered proprioception, and vagus nerve dysfunction originating from the brainstem, upper neck, and neurospinal system.
Sensory Issues and Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care
So, if your child is struggling with sensory meltdowns and you’ve exhausted traditional approaches without success, it’s likely that deeper neurological and vagus nerve dysfunctions need attention. This is where neurologically-focused pediatric chiropractic care steps in. A specialized form of care we provide at RCW.
In our office, we utilize INSiGHT Scans. These scans directly measure the location and severity of subluxation within your child’s nervous system. Armed with this information, we can formulate a customized care plan to address the root cause of their sensory struggles.
As we address this subluxation and neurological dysfunction over time, your child’s nervous system can better calm, relax, and regulate. This often results in better sleep, smoother transitions, fewer meltdowns, and an overall improved quality of life for your child.
By addressing the true root cause of sensory issues, we hope to offer relief and improvements that positively impact your child’s day-to-day experiences. Please reach out to RCW today! We’re here to support you every step of the way.
As parents, we all envision a future where our children are not just surviving, but thriving. Where they’re full of endless possibilities. However, for some families, this dream seems so far in the distance.
If you are a mom or dad whose child is struggling daily with a myriad of issues: mood disorders, gastrointestinal disturbances, chronic pain, unexplained weakness, and a host of other perplexing symptoms, please know you’re not alone. If they are still suffering despite countless medical consultations and treatments, and the root cause of your child’s suffering remains elusive, it’s heartbreaking and frustrating.
It’s natural for you to ask yourself: could there be an underlying cause behind these relentless challenges? Is there a way to uncover the source of these struggles and help your child truly heal?
The truth is, amidst all of the uncertainty, there lies a significant yet often overlooked condition: dysautonomia.
In this blog, we want to help demystify dysautonomia and empower you to take charge of your child’s health. We’ll dive into the depths of this condition, exploring its origins and why it frequently eludes conventional diagnosis. Moreover, we’ll uncover the role that neurologically-focused chiropractic care can play in restoring balance to the nervous system and offering hope to families navigating the complexities of dysautonomia.
Francesca’s Story of Hope
Meet Francesca, a spirited 13-year-old whose childhood was overshadowed by health struggles. At the age of 7, Francesca began experiencing seizures, a harrowing ordeal for any child and parent alike. As she transitioned through puberty, her challenges only intensified – fatigue, anxiety, and chronic constipation occurred on her way to adolescence. Despite tireless efforts and countless consultations, doctors found themselves perplexed by Francesca’s array of symptoms. It seemed as though they were merely addressing individual issues in isolation, rather than finding the underlying root cause.
However, Francesca’s amazing mother’s chance encounter with a friend changed everything. In a conversation about health concerns, dysautonomia came up. A term unfamiliar to so many, but emerged as a beacon of hope. With newfound determination, Francesca’s family sought the expertise of a specialized chiropractor, starting a new chapter in her health journey.
The Science Behind Dysautonomia
Dysautonomia, at its core, signifies a breakdown within the autonomic nervous system. The intricate network that governs virtually every organ and function in the body. From digestion and immunity to breathing and blood pressure regulation, the autonomic nervous system is in control of so many physiological processes essential for well-being. When this system falters, communication between the brain and the body becomes disrupted. This gives rise to a myriad of symptoms that vary depending on the affected organs.
Though dysautonomia manifests in various forms, common triggers in pediatric cases include prenatal stress, birth trauma (like c-sections, vacuum/forceps), recurrent infections, gut issues, and anxiety. These stressors instigate a cascade of events where the overlooked nervous system struggles to maintain equilibrium, perpetuating the cycle of dysautonomia.
Regrettably, conventional medical practices often overlook nervous system imbalance as a root cause, resorting instead to symptomatic management through medications. This approach, while possibly providing temporary relief, fails to address the underlying dysfunction, leaving children trapped in a cycle of recurring symptoms and frustration.
Enter neurologically-focused chiropractic – the beacon of hope for families like Francesca’s. We utilize advanced INSiGHT Scanning technology to access nervous system function. As well as precise neurological adjustments to alleviate neuroppinal tension (subluxation). RCW offers a tailored approach to restoring balance and harmony to the autonomic nervous system.
Helping the nervous system heal naturally has to happen in the same “order” or sequence that optimal neurological development is supposed to occur. At RCW, we know that before we can expect improvements in brain-based challenges such as seizures and anxiety, we must first get to work on the patient’s digestion, sleep, immune function, and motor system.
In Francesca’s case, once we started to get her sleep, digestion, and immune system back online and healthy again, it was only a matter of time before her brain-based challenges started to improve.
Hope Through Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic
If your child’s health journey has been marred by unexplained symptoms and relentless challenges, dysautonomia could hold the key to understanding their struggles. Take the first step towards clarity and healing by scheduling a consultation at RCW today! Our innovative INSiGHT scans help us identify neurological dysfunction, and tailor a unique care plan. Using non-invasive, gentle adjustments to your child’s specific needs, we pave the way for restoration.
With answers within reach, there is no need for your child to endure another day of suffering. The journey towards healing begins now!
The moment those two lines appear on the pregnancy test, the most joyful journey begins for expectant mothers. It’s a time filled with wonder, excitement, and, undoubtedly, a touch of anxiety about your baby’s health and future.
As your little one grows within the womb, you might find yourself thinking about the effects of your stress and any potential disruptions that could happen during childbirth. It’s common to wonder if your emotional state could influence your baby’s neurological development.
Fortunately, advancements in research and technology now offer mothers a remarkable opportunity to play an active role in shaping their baby’s neural health from the earliest stages of pregnancy. Heart rate variability tracking emerges as a cutting-edge insight among these innovations.
So, if you’re curious about how your emotional well-being impacts your baby’s well-being and resilience, this is for you. Together, we’ll dive into the science behind proactive measures for nurturing your baby’s nervous system. We want to help mothers eager to nurture nervous system growth in their developing baby by moderating stress. You’ll learn about the direct impact of maternal distress and anxiety on babies in the womb, affecting their neurological development.
Alex’s Story of Hope
Before welcoming their beautiful baby Boden, Alex and Griffin prioritized preparing Alex’s body for pregnancy with neurologically-focused chiropractic care. Their journey began with preconception chiropractic sessions aimed at optimizing Alex’s health.
After conceiving, Alex continued chiropractic care throughout her pregnancy, ensuring her body was well-prepared for labor and delivery. When Boden arrived, they welcomed him into the world with ease, a testament to Alex’s proactive approach to wellness.
At just 3 days old, Boden received his first chiropractic adjustment, setting the stage for a healthy start to life. From improving latch to addressing newborn discomforts, chiropractic care has played a crucial role in Boden’s early development.
Through their journey, Alex and Griffin have witnessed the profound impact of chiropractic care on Boden’s health and happiness. Their story serves as a reminder of the importance of proactive care in the journey from preconception to parenthood.
Understanding the Science: Nurturing Your Baby’s Development
Alex and Boden’s journey is truly inspiring. To understand how maternal health impacts your baby’s development in the womb, let’s look into the crucial role of the nervous system during pregnancy.
The autonomic nervous system, anchored by the vagus nerve, orchestrates vital functions supporting fetal growth and regulating conditions in the womb. This intricate “command center” ensures your baby receives oxygen and nutrients and maintains a healthy heartbeat and development.
Your nervous system serves as the “mission control,” driving the proper development of your baby’s brain, organs, and tissues. Remarkably, your baby’s nervous system remains connected to yours via the umbilical cord. Sharing not just DNA, but also stress signals.
Research reveals that maternal anxiety and distress can activate fight-or-flight responses in your baby, impacting developmental milestones. Chronic tension can interfere with emotional regulation and sensory processing even before birth, potentially leading to birth complications.
Emerging prenatal assessments, like heart rate variability (HRV) tracking, offer insights into nervous system health. HRV scans measure variability between beats, providing clues about your baby’s neurological growth and stress resilience.
Advanced HRV tracking now offers insights into nervous system patterns in pregnant women. Higher readings indicate balanced signaling that benefit the baby’s growth. While lower readings are associated with pregnancy, birth, and future challenges.
With this knowledge, expectant mothers can implement tailored interventions like, most importantly, consistent neurologically-focused chiropractic care. Also breathing exercises, mindfulness training, and stress relief regimens to benefit both mother and baby.
Learn More About HRV Technology
So, if you’re intrigued by how HRV technology can empower you as an expectant mother, please reach out to RCW today!
