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Neurological healing is no easy task. Nor is it normally a linear, straightforward path. In fact, it’s most commonly quite the opposite, going through multiple stages and phases on its way to optimal healing and outcomes.
The first challenge parents and patients face when trying to determine whether or not things are moving in the right direction with neurological healing is that the process is the stark contrast opposite of traditional medical treatment. Every single component of the medical system is designed not with healing in mind, but with suppressing, stopping, and shutting things down as the ultimate goal.
Have an infection? Kill it off with an antibiotic (which literally means anti-life).
Have a fever? Shut it off with a fever suppressor.
Have inflammation? Shut it down with steroid-based medications.
Have hyperactivity and impulsivity? Suppress it with stimulant medications.
Have anxiety? Cover it up and suppress it with drugs.
The medical way is one that is supposed to “work” fast and, therefore, be readily apparent. Unfortunately, parents today especially know that what we discussed is very true – the vast majority of the time, drugs and medications are doing nothing to address the actual root cause, create any actual healing, and they also come with a whole host of unwanted side effects.
So, what other options do we have? Well, if you’re reading this, then it’s likely that you’ve already begun to take the root cause of yours or your child’s challenges head on with neurologically-focused chiropractic care, or you’re strongly considering it and wondering exactly how that process works.
To make this super simple to understand, we’ll be breaking things down into three parts. First, the healing phases we’ll discuss are:
The first phase of neurological healing + restoration is often the bumpiest. The longer you have been subluxated and stuck in sympathetic dominance (dysautonomia), the deeper those stress patterns and dysfunctions set in. The body is doing all it can to adapt, but in the toughest of cases (Perfect Storm + Neuro Intensive ones especially), we generally find that the nervous system is just flat out worn out and exhausted.
Therefore, when you release those deep subluxation patterns in the first two (2) weeks to two (2) months of care, oftentimes, patients will experience some form of “neuro detox” where certain signs and symptoms may get a bit worse.
This is really no different than what happens when you get a fever, diarrhea, or traditional immune response – the body is actually getting “sick” to get well again.
So, in the vast majority of these neurological detoxes that occur way early in care, it’s actually a “good” sign that healing is happening. We’re getting the nervous system unstuck from the long-standing stuck, stressed, and exhausted subluxation patterns it’s been in.
This is an exciting phase of care, and it’s really rooted in the science of something called neuroplasticity. Which honestly is what all of neurologically-focused chiropractic care is based upon.
Neuroplasticity, also known as neural plasticity or brain plasticity, is the ability of neural networks in the brain to change through growth and reorganization. It is when the brain is rewired to function in some way that differs from how it previously functioned.
Subluxation, dysautonomia, and the “Perfect Storm” are all what stop neuroplasticity, growth, and optimal development dead in its tracks and throw things off course. Therefore, when we hit this stage of care, and we start to see growth and reorganization happening again and a child getting back on track with their milestones and development – oh man, is it exciting!
What does rebuilding + reorganization look like practically? Check out the following list to spot the signs of this stage in progress:
By no means does a child or patient need to experience everything on that list to be in this phase of neurological healing, as healing is unique to each individual. However, even observing and having just a couple of them means things are progressing and on the right track to optimal healing and neurological restoration!
This phase of care is the ultimate goal of our initial care plans, but honestly, it’s just the beginning of the best part – the child or patient is now experiencing a high quality of LIFE once again!
We feel strongly that we are designed to be strong, healthy, resilient, and happy, and therefore live a high quality of life as a result! This stage of care is when kids and patients really have had transformative changes with their health and day-to-day experience a quality of life far greater than what they had prior to starting chiropractic care.
This stage then sets the stage for wellness, but the work is not all the way done. In this stage, we want to stay on the job of neurological healing and continue to deploy neuroplastic healing principles in order to put “slack” and “stability” in the system.
This third state of neurological healing is essential for one reason – life goes on. Meaning kids are still going to have growth spurts, falls and injuries, colds and sickness to get through, social and emotional challenges, school, sports, seasonal changes, and so much more they still need to stay ahead of and adapt to. Adults are right there with them with work stressors, seasonal allergies, social engagements, and other physical stressors.
By completing this final stage of the neurological restoration care plan, we can then transition into lifetime wellness care with a strong, resilient, and more stable nervous system. A more stable nervous system can better withstand various regular life stressors and stay healthy and strong through them!
That is the ultimate goal we have for our patients – to not just get healthy for a season, but stay there for good! To do that, this third phase and achieving restoration is essential.
While every single one of us, from the parent team to the provider team, wants to see massive changes and achievement of the big goals happen right away… science and clinical experience let us know that, typically, that is not the case.
So often, and so rightfully so, some of the most common examples parents have for BIG goals for their children’s care include things like starting to walk or talk, eliminating seizures or autism spectrum related challenges, improving focus and behavior, lessening anxiety and depression, and so forth. For the purpose of this article, we’ll refer to these functions as “brain-based” or “higher level” functions.
In contrast, more primary and basic neurophysiological functions that are essential to health are things like eating, sleeping, digestion (pooping), motor planning, respiratory + immune health, and so forth. These core health functions could also be called more primal or foundational components of health, and what many parents and providers don’t know is it’s these things that get offline and off track first, which then leads to the bigger “brain based” problems down the road as neurological function and development is compromised.
Therefore, on the road to optimal neurological healing, we often need to see changes with these “soft signs” (and scans), and the more basic physiological functions first.
So often for parents, not seeing the big changes happen instantly with chiropractic care can be frustrating and, if we’re being honest, even disheartening. But when we can point out these incredibly important changes on their INSiGHT Scans and with their neurological “soft signs,” we can rebuild that hope and let you know we’re heading in the right direction!
If you have any questions at all about what phase of care your child is in (or yourself), do not hesitate to ask and really dig in with your doctor at the next visit. We love talking through this stuff with our patients, and always do our best to stay ahead of it, making sure you know what to look for and what to track as care progresses through each and every phase of care!
You’ve tried everything.
Special diets. Gut-healing supplements. Medications. Endless therapies. And yet… your child is still struggling.
Digestive issues that won’t go away. Anxiety that keeps them (and you) up at night. Focus and behavioral challenges that make everyday life feel like a battle.
It’s not your fault. You’ve done everything right.
But there’s a critical piece of the puzzle that nearly every doctor – even natural and holistic ones – continues to overlook.
Right now, we’re living in the middle of a massive pediatric health crisis. Autism now affects 1 in 31 children, and over a million new ADHD diagnoses were added in just the last few years. But here’s what no one is talking about…
Behind so many of these skyrocketing struggles is a single, powerful, often-ignored nerve – the vagus nerve.
When this master nerve pathway gets stuck in stress mode and stops functioning properly, it throws your child’s entire nervous system – and their health – into chaos.
This message is specifically for you – the exhausted, overwhelmed parent who’s out of options. You’ve gone down every rabbit hole, searched every blog, tried every diet and detox, and still haven’t found answers that actually lead to healing.
What you’re about to discover could change everything.
The statistics surrounding children’s health today are truly concerning. Beyond the 1 in 31 autism rate, chronic health conditions now affect approximately 40% of children in the United States, according to CDC data.
What we’re seeing is a generation of children whose nervous systems are chronically stuck in “fight or flight” mode. Their little bodies are in a constant state of stress response, which severely impacts the function of the vagus nerve – the primary pathway of the parasympathetic “rest, digest, and heal” nervous system.
When this critical nerve doesn’t function properly, it creates a cascade of effects throughout the body. From compromised digestion and immune function to difficulties with emotional regulation and behavior.
What frustrates parents the most is realizing that conventional doctors rarely even look at vagus nerve function. Instead, they hand out a different prescription for every symptom and condition, never addressing the one root cause that ties them all together.
The vagus nerve is the longest, most complex, and most important of the 12 cranial nerves. It extends from the brainstem through the neck and into the chest and abdomen. Connecting your child’s brain to vital organs, including the heart, lungs, liver, digestive system, immune system, and so much more.
Think of it as your child’s internal superhighway – the main communication pathway between their brain and body. It’s the primary component of the parasympathetic nervous system, often called the “rest, regulate, and digest” system. Which counterbalances the sympathetic “fight or flight” system that many children today get stuck in.
Because the vagus nerve is such a key component of nervous system regulation, and the nervous system controls and coordinates every other system in the body, vagus nerve dysfunction can lead to a wide range of problems:
Digestive Issues: Impaired digestive motility, disrupted gut function, indigestion, constipation, and countless other gut issues. This includes wreaking havoc on the crucial gut-brain connection that affects everything from mood to immunity.
Immune System Suppression: When the vagus nerve isn’t working properly, it can’t effectively control and regulate inflammation throughout the body. When inflammation runs unchecked, it contributes to all sorts of chronic health challenges.
Social-Emotional and Behavioral Challenges: Vagal nerve tone directly controls social-emotional and behavioral well-being. When it’s disrupted and dysfunctional, behavioral problems, anxiety, and other mental-emotional difficulties can set in. Through its impact on heart rate variability and respiratory patterns, vagus nerve dysfunction can affect your child’s ability to calm themselves and regulate their response to stress. This can manifest as anxiety, panic attacks, or emotional outbursts.
Understanding how vagus nerve problems develop can help you see that this isn’t something you caused – it’s often a result of multiple factors coming together:
Vagus nerve dysfunction often begins during pregnancy when maternal stress hormones cross the placenta and affect the developing nervous system. Suppressing and altering the development of the vagus nerve and parasympathetic nervous system before the child is even born.
Birth interventions like C-sections, forceps delivery, and vacuum extraction can create physical trauma to the delicate upper neck and brainstem regions where the vagus nerve originates. Directly impacting its function.
Early childhood stressors – including antibiotics, environmental toxins, emotional trauma, and even excessive screen time – can compound these effects. Overwhelming the developing nervous system and further compromising vagal function.
When these factors combine, they create neurological dysfunction and subluxation in the upper neck and brainstem regions. Disrupting the critical communication between the brain, vagus nerve, and the rest of the body.
The encouraging news is that vagus nerve function can be measured and restored naturally, without drugs or invasive interventions.
Advanced neurological scanning technology, called INSiGHT Scans, can objectively assess your child’s nervous system function, including vagus nerve activity. These non-invasive scans measure heart rate variability (HRV), which is directly controlled by the vagus nerve and is considered one of the most reliable biomarkers of vagal tone and function.
With this objective data, we can identify specific patterns of vagus nerve dysfunction in your child and create a personalized care plan designed to restore proper function.
Neurologically-focused chiropractic care specifically addresses the root cause of vagus nerve dysfunction by gently correcting subluxation and nervous system dysregulation. This approach allows the nervous system to heal and function properly, often leading to improvements in multiple areas of your child’s health simultaneously.
If your child is stuck in stress mode and struggling with focus, digestion, sleep, sensory issues, behavioral or emotional regulation challenges, RCW wants to help you stop the guessing and start testing.
Advanced neurological scans and HRV technology we use at our office can show exactly how well your child’s vagus nerve is functioning, and whether their nervous system is in balance or stuck in fight-or-flight mode.
You deserve answers that lead to real healing. Your child deserves to have their nervous system functioning at its best. Allowing their body’s natural healing abilities to work the way they were designed to… and we are ready to help!
Your persistence and dedication as a parent, combined with the right approach to healing, can make all the difference in your child’s health and happiness.
Is your child already dreading summer celebrations? Are you anxious about the inevitable meltdowns, tantrums, and tears that seem to accompany every fireworks display or crowded holiday gathering?
If you’re like many parents we meet, you’ve probably tried everything. Noise-canceling headphones, watching fireworks from a distance, or even avoiding celebrations altogether. But what if we told you that these well-meaning strategies only address the symptoms, not the actual root cause of your child’s sensory overload?
Studies show that up to 1 in 6 children struggle with sensory processing challenges. For these kids, events like Fourth of July celebrations aren’t just uncomfortable—they can be genuinely overwhelming and even painful.
But here’s what most physicians aren’t telling you: your child’s extreme reaction to fireworks and celebrations isn’t simply about loud noises or bright lights. It’s often a sign of a deeper neurological imbalance that can be properly addressed, not just managed through avoidance.
Let us tell you about Logan, a child whose story might sound familiar. For his first few years of life, Logan struggled with such severe sensory overload that his family couldn’t take him anywhere in public. Not grocery shopping, not to restaurants, certainly not to loud events like fireworks displays.
His parents constantly dreaded social gatherings and worried about his future and starting school. Logan’s sensory challenges were so extreme that once, when he cut himself badly, he didn’t even register the pain. He was only bothered by the sensation of blood running down his arm.
Traditional approaches weren’t helping, and his family felt increasingly isolated and hopeless. But today, after receiving neurologically-focused chiropractic care that addressed the root cause of his sensory processing challenges, Logan is a thriving honor roll student who can enjoy family celebrations, including Fourth of July festivities.
His transformation from a child trapped by sensory overload to one who can participate fully in life’s experiences shows what’s possible when we address the real underlying cause rather than just managing the symptoms.
Sensory overload isn’t just about external triggers like loud noises and bright lights. It’s a sign that your child’s nervous system is stuck in a state of constant “fight or flight,” making normal sensory input feel threatening or overwhelming.
This state, which we call “sympathetic dominance,” means your child’s brain is constantly on high alert. Unable to properly filter and process sensory information from their environment.
What makes the Fourth of July particularly challenging is that it combines multiple intense sensory experiences simultaneously. Loud unexpected noises, bright flashing lights, crowds, unusual smells from sparklers and barbecues, and disrupted routines.
When your child’s nervous system is already struggling to process everyday sensory information, these holiday celebrations can become the perfect storm that pushes them over the edge into complete overload.
The root cause of your child’s sensory challenges is often a condition called dysautonomia. An imbalance between the “fight or flight” sympathetic nervous system and the “rest and digest” parasympathetic system.
This imbalance is frequently caused by subluxation, which is essentially interference in the communication between the brain and body. Particularly affecting the vagus nerve—the master controller of the parasympathetic nervous system.
Surprisingly, this subluxation often begins during birth, especially when interventions like C-sections, forceps, vacuum extraction, or induction are involved. Creating what we call “overlooked and dismissed birth trauma.”
When the vagus nerve is compromised by birth trauma, your child’s nervous system gets stuck in an overactive sympathetic state. Making it nearly impossible for them to naturally calm and regulate themselves.
Traditional approaches to sensory overload focus primarily on avoidance strategies—skipping fireworks, using noise-canceling headphones, or creating “sensory-friendly” environments.
While these strategies can help in the moment, they don’t address the underlying neurological dysfunction that makes your child hypersensitive in the first place.
Medications that attempt to dampen your child’s responses often come with unwanted side effects and still don’t fix the root neurological imbalance.
Even therapy approaches like sensory integration therapy or occupational therapy, while beneficial, are often less effective if the underlying nervous system dysfunction isn’t addressed first.
At RCW, our approach takes a fundamentally different path by directly addressing the root cause of your child’s sensory challenges—the subluxation and dysautonomia affecting their nervous system.
We start with comprehensive INSiGHT Scans. Particularly the NeuroSpinal EMG Scan, which allows us to measure the exact location and severity of nervous system stress and tension in your child’s body.
These scans help us identify the “nociception” or neurological noise that’s disrupting your child’s ability to process sensory information properly. Creating what we often call “Noisy Brain Syndrome.”
Our precise, gentle adjustments then target these areas of subluxation. Helping to restore balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems and allowing your child’s brain to better filter and process sensory input.
Imagine your child actually looking forward to Fourth of July celebrations, get-togethers, and summer parties instead of dreading them. Picture your family enjoying fireworks together without having to leave early because of a meltdown. This isn’t just wishful thinking—it’s what we see regularly when children receive care that addresses the real root cause of their sensory challenges.
Like Logan, who transformed from a child unable to handle even simple public outings to a thriving honor roll student, your child has the potential to overcome sensory overload when the underlying nervous system dysfunction is properly addressed. The difference isn’t just noticeable during big events like the Fourth of July. It impacts every aspect of your child’s development, learning, and quality of life.
We would love to help your child’s nervous system find balance so they can experience all the joy this summer has to offer. If you’re ready to move beyond just managing symptoms and start addressing the root cause of sensory overload, call RCW today to schedule a consultation and INSiGHT Scans.
Because your child doesn’t need to “grow out of” sensory overload—they need someone to help get to the root of it. And we’re here to help with just that.