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The Three Phases of Neurological Healing and Restoration

New Patients

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: 

  1. Release Phase 
  2. Rebuild + Reorganize Phase
  3. Restoration Phase

Phase 1 – Release 

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. 

Phase 2 – Rebuild + Reorganize 

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: 

  • INSiGHT Scans shifting, changing, calming, clearing, and reorganizing
    • Oftentimes this can be tracked with our “neurometrics” and scores 
  • Improved Neuro-Postural Patterns 
    • No more head tilt + rotation, shoulders relaxed and level, etc. 
  • Improved Neuromuscular Tone + Coordination
    • Observed through movement, gait analysis, etc. 
  • Improved Neurological “Soft Signs” 
    • Sleeping better, eating better, improved digestion, better immune health, improvements in posture and coordination, etc. 
  • Improved Focus + Endurance in School, Therapy, etc. 
    • Being able to do more during therapy appointments and school 
  • Less Severe Subluxation Patterns and Adjusting Restrictions 
    • When things shift, move, and get easier to adjust

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! 

Phase 3 – 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. 

Diving Deeper into Neurological “Soft Signs” of Healing 

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. 

  • When a teen intensive patient struggling with anxiety, epilepsy, and exhaustion starts to finally fall asleep easier and stay asleep longer, we know we’re on the right track! 
  • When a three (3) year old patient recently diagnosed with autism and apraxia (nonverbal) begins experiencing better digestion, immune health, and gross motor planning, we know we’re on the road to recovery + restoration! 
  • When a grade schooler struggling with ADHD and behavioral regulation challenges has more relaxed shoulders, less tension, and gets adjusted easier, we know we’re making the right changes happen to their nervous system! 

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! 

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You’ve Tried Everything for Speech… Here’s What Everyone Overlooks

Pediatric Chiropractic

You’ve been there. Sitting in yet another speech therapy appointment, watching your child struggle through the same exercises you’ve practiced countless times at home. You’ve followed every recommendation, invested thousands of dollars, and dedicated hours each week to speech drills and muscle exercises. Yet here you are, months or even years later, with your little one still struggling to communicate clearly while other children their age chatter away effortlessly.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and more importantly, you’re not missing anything as a parent. The gap isn’t in your dedication or your child’s effort. The missing piece is that nearly 1 in 12 U.S. children ages 3-17 experience voice, speech, language, or swallowing disorders, and the vast majority are receiving the same traditional approach that focuses on the “output”—the speech muscles and sounds—while completely missing what’s happening “upstream” in the brain and nervous system.

The real problem isn’t that your child needs more speech drills or muscle exercises. The problem is that stress and interference within their nervous system is disrupting the very foundation of how speech develops and functions.

Meet Coen: When Everything Changed

Let us tell you about Coen, whose transformation perfectly illustrates what we’re talking about. Before finding neurologically-focused chiropractic care, Coen had a severe speech delay with difficulty initiating sounds and very little sound production. His parents were exhausted, searching everywhere for answers beyond traditional speech therapy because everything they read stated that “Coen’s struggles were neurological in origin.”

They kept asking themselves, “There must be some way to stimulate his nervous system!” When they finally found a PX Doc trained in neurological care, the scans revealed exactly what they suspected—there was a disconnect with how Coen’s nervous system was processing information and coordinating actions like movement and speech. His parents said, “Looking through his scans and talking with the doctors, it all made sense why he was struggling and why progress had been very slow.”

Then came the breakthrough. About two months into neurologically-focused care, “it seemed like a switch flipped for Coen. He started producing way more sounds than before. He began initiating sounds and words on his own without prompting from others… lately, he has just been talking away!”

Today, Coen has gained about three years of progress in just three months and has finished speech services, having met all his goals in record time.

Understanding How Speech Actually Works: The Three-Step Process You Need to Know

Here’s what most parents (and even many providers) don’t understand: speech production is a complex, sequential 3-step neurological process.

Step 1: Input

First, sensory and auditory signals are received by the brain. This includes hearing sounds, feeling the position of the tongue and mouth, and processing visual cues from watching others speak.

Step 2: Integration

The brain processes and integrates this information, creating a plan for how to coordinate all the different muscles needed for speech.

Step 3: Output

Finally, the brain sends coordinated signals to speech muscles to produce the desired sounds and words.

Here’s the crucial insight: While most people assume speech delays stem from muscle problems in the output stage, the real issues typically occur “upstream” in the brain and nervous system’s input and integration phases.

When subluxation and nervous system dysfunction interfere with these early stages, no amount of muscle exercises or speech drills can fully compensate for the neurological breakdown happening in the brain. This is why your child can work so hard in speech therapy but still struggle—you’re working on step 3 when the problem is in steps 1 and 2.

The Real Culprits: Understanding Subluxation and Its Impact

Subluxation refers to misalignment and neurological interference within the nervous system that disrupts brain-body communication pathways. This interference:

  • Affects nerve signals controlling speech muscles
  • Leads to difficulties in motor planning (apraxia)
  • Creates abnormal muscle tone and coordination issues in the mouth, face, and respiratory muscles

The connection to birth: Birth interventions like forceps, vacuum extraction, and C-sections can physically injure the delicate upper cervical area and brainstem regions that house critical nerves controlling speech and communication. Even “normal” births can create stress on these vital areas.

The Vagus Nerve: Your Child’s Communication Highway

One of the most critical—yet often overlooked—factors in speech development is the vagus nerve. This nerve controls the vocal cords through its recurrent laryngeal branch, and when it’s not functioning properly, it leads to:

  • Problems with vocalization, pitch, volume, and speech clarity
  • Difficulty with the precise coordination of breathing and swallowing required for clear speech
  • Dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system keeps children stuck in “fight or flight” mode

When the vagus nerve is not working properly, it keeps your child’s nervous system in a stressed state, which further exacerbates speech and communication problems. Your child literally cannot access their full communication potential when their nervous system is stuck in survival mode.

Why Speech Delays Signal Deeper Developmental Issues

As a parent, it’s important to understand that speech is a complex function that develops only after more foundational milestones have been achieved. These include:

  • Nervous system regulation
  • Gross motor coordination
  • Gut-brain health
  • Basic sensory processing

If your child’s brain and body are still working on these foundational “projects,” they simply don’t have the neurological resources available to focus on higher-level functions like speech, socialization, and emotional regulation.

This explains why many children with speech delays also struggle with:

  • Digestive issues
  • Sleep problems
  • Sensory processing challenges
  • Missed gross motor milestones

It’s all connected through the nervous system. Recognizing this connection empowers you to address the root cause rather than just managing symptoms.

Taking Charge: A Different Approach to Your Child’s Speech Development

Understanding the neurological foundations of speech development puts you in the driver’s seat of your child’s health journey. Here’s how a neurologically-focused approach addresses the real root causes:

Step 1: Identifying the “Perfect Storm”

This begins with examining your child’s case history, particularly birth trauma and early life stressors that create neurological dysfunction. You know your child’s history better than anyone—trust your instincts about what might have contributed to their challenges.

Step 2: Advanced Neurological Assessment

Specialized INSiGHT Neurological Scans can precisely locate and measure subluxation and nervous system dysfunction that conventional providers cannot detect. These scans provide objective data about how your child’s nervous system is functioning.

Step 3: Gentle, Specific Care

Through gentle, specific neurologically-focused adjustments, proper nerve function and brain-body communication can be restored, allowing your child’s natural speech development to finally unfold as it should.

Your Role as an Empowered Parent

You are your child’s best advocate. If traditional speech therapy isn’t producing the progress you know your child is capable of, trust your instincts. You have the right to:

  • Ask questions about the neurological foundations of your child’s speech challenges
  • Seek providers who look at the whole child, not just the symptoms
  • Explore care that addresses root causes rather than just managing effects
  • Expect real progress, not just slow incremental changes

Your child’s struggles are not a reflection of your parenting, their effort, or a lack of trying hard enough. They may simply need a different approach—one that addresses the neurological interference preventing their natural abilities from emerging.

Moving Forward with Hope and Purpose

Every child has an innate drive to communicate and connect. When that drive seems blocked or delayed, it’s often because something is interfering with their nervous system’s ability to coordinate this complex process.

At Rochester Chiropractic and Wellness, we understand that the neurological foundations of speech development doesn’t mean abandoning speech therapy—it means ensuring that your child’s nervous system is optimized so that traditional therapies can be more effective.

The breakthrough your family has been searching for may be closer than you think. It might just require looking at your child’s speech challenges through a different lens—one that honors the complex, incredible connection between the nervous system and communication. So if you’re ready to dive into the true root cause of your child’s speech delays, please reach out to RCW today!

Remember: You know your child best. Trust your instincts, ask the deeper questions, and don’t settle for “this is just how it is” when your heart tells you there’s more to the story.

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Your Baby’s Brain Doubles in Size – Here’s What You Must Know

Pediatric Chiropractic

Here’s a fact that will blow your mind: within the first year of life, your baby’s brain will double in size, and form over 1 million neural connections every SECOND. This makes the first twelve months the most critical period for neurological development your child will ever experience.

Yet when you take your baby to routine checkups, your pediatrician focuses primarily on whether your little one hits basic milestones within broad timeframes. While this is important, it completely misses a crucial question: Is your baby’s nervous system functioning optimally?

If you’re a parent who senses something isn’t quite right with feeding, sleeping, or development—or if you simply want to ensure you’re giving your child the strongest possible neurological foundation from the very beginning—this is for you.

The Revolutionary Science Behind Your Baby’s Developing Brain

According to the Harvard Center on the Developing Child, the first year of life represents when neuroplasticity is at its absolute peak. It’s one of the most rapid periods of brain development in the human lifespan. During this extraordinary time, your baby’s brain undergoes neuroplasticity with peak synapse formation, creating the fundamental architecture that will influence every aspect of their health for the rest of their life.

But here’s what’s happening in pediatric offices across the country: parents express legitimate concerns about feeding difficulties, sleep issues, excessive crying, or developmental quirks, only to be told these are “normal variations” or advised to “wait and see” if their child outgrows them.

This approach completely misses the critical window when neuroplasticity is at its peak, and gentle interventions can have the most profound impact. A baby can technically “pass” their developmental screening while compensating for underlying neurological dysfunction through tension patterns, asymmetrical movement, or skipped developmental stages that will impact them for years to come.

The Hidden Neurological Significance of Every Early Milestone

Let’s dive deeper into what your baby’s early milestones are really telling you about their neurological development:

Breastfeeding: Your Baby’s First Neurological Test

Your baby’s ability to breastfeed effectively is actually their first major neurological assessment. Successful feeding requires coordination of multiple cranial nerves, upper neurospinal alignment, and precise timing between the nervous system and neuromuscular coordination.

When you notice feeding difficulties like shallow latch, frequent popping off, gasping during feeds, or a baby who becomes excessively exhausted while eating, these aren’t just “feeding issues”—they’re often early signs that the nervous system needs support.

Head Control: The Foundation of Everything

Head control development between 8-12 weeks indicates proper cervical spine and deep neck muscle development. When you see challenges like persistent head turning to one side or difficulty with tummy time, these can signal early neurological dysfunction that deserves attention rather than a “wait and see” approach.

Crawling: The Most Neurologically Significant Milestone

The most neurologically significant milestone is crawling between 7-10 months. This cross-pattern movement stimulates balanced development of the corpus callosum—the bridge connecting the left and right brain hemispheres—building essential foundations for later skills like walking, coordination, and even reading.

When babies skip crawling or show asymmetrical movement patterns, it’s not just a preference—it’s valuable information about their neurological development.

Understanding “The Perfect Storm” That Can Disrupt Development

Multiple stressors can accumulate and overwhelm your baby’s developing nervous system, creating patterns of dysfunction that persist long after the initial stressors have passed. Understanding this concept can be empowering for parents who’ve been told their concerns are unfounded.

Prenatal Stressors

Chronic stress during pregnancy affects fetal brain development in ways we’re still discovering. Your body’s stress response during pregnancy doesn’t just affect you—it influences the neurological development of your growing baby.

Birth Interventions

Birth interventions like induction, forceps, vacuum delivery, and C-sections, while sometimes medically necessary, can place significant pressure on your baby’s delicate head and neck structures. Positioning issues during delivery can also contribute to neurological stress patterns.

Environmental Stressors After Birth

Environmental stressors continue to impact your baby’s nervous system after birth. Disrupted sleep patterns, overstimulation, early antibiotic exposure, and ongoing feeding challenges can stress an already vulnerable nervous system. Pushing babies into sympathetic dominance where they get stuck in “fight or flight” mode.

This isn’t about blame or guilt—it’s about understanding that your baby’s nervous system has been through a lot, and recognizing when it might need support.

How Conventional Medicine Misses the Neurological Foundation

Your pediatrician might check off that your baby can roll over at six months, but they’re typically not assessing whether that rolling movement is symmetrical, coordinated, or built on proper foundational development.

Conventional pediatric care consistently overlooks the assessment of subluxation (spinal misalignments that interfere with nerve function) and dysautonomia (imbalances in the autonomic nervous system)—the neurological interference and imbalance that can develop from “The Perfect Storm” of stressors.

These functional problems rarely show up on standard tests, but can profoundly impact how well your baby eats, sleeps, develops, and regulates their emotions and behavior.

A Different Approach: Neurologically-Focused Care

There’s a growing field of healthcare providers, including RCW, who take a neurologically-focused approach to infant development. Instead of waiting for problems to develop, our approach supports optimal nervous system function from the very beginning when neuroplasticity is at its peak.

We use advanced scanning technology called INSiGHT Scans that can assess your baby’s nervous system function through gentle, non-invasive measurements of heart rate variability, muscle tension patterns, and temperature regulation. These scans provide a clear picture of where stress and dysfunction exist in your baby’s nervous system, showing balanced, symmetrical patterns in healthy infants or highlighting areas that need support.

Trust Your Parental Instincts

So, if you sense in your gut that something isn’t quite right with feeding, sleeping, or development, trust those instincts. You know your baby better than anyone else, and we want to help. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Rochester Chiropractic and Wellness today to schedule a consultation.

The first year is too important to simply “wait and see” when you have concerns. By understanding the hidden neurological story of the first year, you’re giving your child—and yourself—the best possible start.

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Your Pregnancy Stress Becomes Baby’s Stress

Prenatal

As parents, we all share one fundamental desire: to give our children the best possible start in life. Yet despite our best intentions, today’s rates of chronic health conditions are affecting our children at alarming levels. From allergies and asthma to ADHD and autism, many parents are left wondering: Is there anything we can start doing now to support our children’s development and health before they’re even born?

The answer is yes—and it begins with understanding the crucial role of your baby’s nervous system development during pregnancy.

The Perfect Storm: A Common Pattern

In chiropractic offices across the country, we’re seeing a troubling pattern emerge. Parents come in sharing remarkably similar stories:

  • Fertility challenges and stressful pregnancies
  • Medical interventions during birth (induction, epidural, forceps, vacuum, C-section)
  • Babies struggling with colic, digestive issues, sleep problems, and latching difficulties
  • Children later developing ADHD, anxiety, and depression

This cascade of events is what we call “The Perfect Storm“—a series of stressful experiences that can impact both mother and baby’s nervous system development.

The Statistics Tell a Story

Consider these sobering facts about pregnancy and birth in the United States:

  • While the US leads in emergency care, we rank last in maternal and infant mortality rates
  • We spend over $50 billion on childbirth each year
  • The fertility clinic services market was valued at $7.9 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $16.8 billion by 2028
  • 25% of women are induced during labor
  • 70-75% of women receive an epidural during delivery
  • 1 in 3 American women undergoes a cesarean section, despite the World Health Organization recommending a rate of 10-15% at most
  • About 1 in 7 women experience postpartum depression

While we can’t control everything that happens during pregnancy and birth (and some interventions are truly necessary emergencies), we can take proactive steps to help both mother and baby better adapt to stressors.

Understanding Your Nervous System: The Foundation of Health

Many people think hormones are the key to a healthy pregnancy, but let’s take a step back and talk about what actually controls every system in your body: your nervous system.

The Autonomic Nervous System: Your Body’s Control Center

Your autonomic nervous system has two main branches that work together to keep you healthy:

The Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS): Fight or Flight

  • Activated during times of stress or perceived danger
  • Increases heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension
  • Prepares your body for action

The Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS): Rest, Regulate, and Digest

  • Promotes relaxation, healing, and restoration
  • Slows heart rate and enhances digestion
  • Supports immune function and recovery

In a healthy individual, both systems work in harmony, allowing your body to respond appropriately to different situations. However, when your nervous system becomes imbalanced, it can lead to chronic stress and nervous system dysregulation.

The HPA vs. HPG Axis: Why Balance Matters

Nervous system dysregulation can lead to numerous hormonal imbalances, including painful menstrual cycles, fertility struggles, and irregular cycles. When your body is stuck in chronic stress mode with an overactive sympathetic nervous system and an underactive parasympathetic system, it disrupts the hormonal balance necessary for conception and healthy fetal development.

This is where two important systems come into play:

The HPA Axis (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal)

  • Activated during times of stress
  • Releases cortisol and other stress hormones
  • Can interfere with reproductive function when overactive

The HPG Axis (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal)

  • Responsible for producing reproductive hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone
  • Essential for conception and maintaining a healthy pregnancy

When your body experiences chronic stress, the HPA axis can override the HPG axis, making it more difficult to conceive and maintain a healthy pregnancy. Both pathways are important, but your body needs to know when to activate stress responses and when to rest and restore.

How Your Stress Becomes Baby’s Stress

Here’s something that might surprise you: the umbilical cord serves not only as a pathway for nutrients and oxygen but also as a “power cord” that connects your nervous system to your baby’s developing nervous system. This means your growing baby experiences any stress or emotional challenges you face during pregnancy.

Your nervous system is essentially sending a blueprint through the umbilical cord for your baby’s nervous system to learn from. High levels of maternal stress can alter fetal neurodevelopment and lead to various health challenges later in life. When you experience chronic stress, your sympathetic nervous system is constantly activated, and this stress pattern is transmitted to your growing baby.

Your Baby’s Nervous System Development Timeline

Understanding when your baby’s nervous system develops can help you appreciate the importance of supporting your own nervous system health throughout pregnancy:

First Trimester

  • Week 3: Nervous system begins to form
  • Weeks 5-8: Major organs develop
  • Week 6: Sympathetic nerves (involved in social development) begin to form

Second Trimester

  • Weeks 13-16: Bones and muscles develop
  • Week 17: Cerebellum begins to form
  • Week 26: Vagus nerve myelination occurs

Third Trimester

  • Weeks 29-32: Immune system develops
  • Weeks 33-36: Rapid brain development occurs
  • Week 37: Autonomic nervous system fully develops
  • Week 40: Vagus nerve and immune system mature

Taking Control: Tools for Growing Healthy Babies

The good news is that you have more control than you might think. While you can’t control everything, you can set your body up to be resilient and adaptable to whatever comes your way.

Prioritize Preconception Care

Start by optimizing your physical, mental, and emotional health before conception:

  • Focus on proper nutrition that supports nervous system health
  • Incorporate regular, appropriate exercise
  • Develop effective stress management techniques
  • Seek nervous system support through chiropractic care
  • Address any existing health concerns

By laying a strong foundation before conception, you increase your chances of a healthy pregnancy and a thriving baby.

Build Your Support Circle

Surround yourself with a supportive birth team and environment:

  • Choose healthcare providers who align with your values and will empower you to make informed decisions
  • Consider working with professionals like midwives, doulas, pelvic floor physical therapists, or lactation consultants
  • Find a prenatal chiropractor who specializes in nervous system support
  • Connect with other birth professionals who can provide guidance and advocacy throughout your journey

Support Your Nervous System During Pregnancy

Focus on activities and practices that promote nervous system balance:

  • Practice deep breathing exercises and meditation
  • Engage in gentle, pregnancy-appropriate movement
  • Prioritize quality sleep and rest
  • Maintain social connections and emotional support
  • Consider chiropractic care specifically focused on nervous system function

The Role of Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care

Neurologically-focused chiropractic care can offer specific benefits for both mother and baby, including:

  • Improved nervous system function
  • Reduced stress and better stress adaptation
  • Enhanced immune function
  • Optimal fetal positioning
  • Better overall pregnancy experience

At Rochester Chiropractic and Wellness, we use advanced technology like Neurological INSiGHT Scans to assess how your nervous system is functioning and identify areas that may need support. These non-invasive scans can help create a customized care plan tailored to your specific nervous system needs.

Your Baby’s Health Starts Before Birth

The foundation of your baby’s health begins long before they take their first breath. By understanding the crucial role of nervous system development and taking proactive steps to support both your own and your baby’s neurological health, you’re giving your child the strongest possible foundation for life.

Remember, every baby and every pregnancy is unique. While we can’t prevent every challenge, we can work to create the most supportive environment possible for healthy development, so please don’t wait to reach out to RCW today! 

Your baby’s nervous system will mirror the state of your nervous system, so investing in your own neurological health is one of the most powerful gifts you can give your growing child.

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What Blood Work and MRIs Can’t Detect in Your Child

New Patients

Has your child been to countless doctor appointments, endured multiple rounds of blood work, and maybe even expensive MRIs or other tests, yet you still don’t have real answers about what’s causing their chronic health struggles? You’ve been told everything looks “normal” on their labs, but your child is still dealing with sleep issues, digestive problems, behavioral challenges, or developmental delays.

Meanwhile, your pediatrician keeps saying “They’ll grow out of it” or offers another medication to manage the symptoms. You’re left feeling frustrated, unheard, and desperate for answers that make sense.

You’re not alone, and more importantly, you’re not wrong. There’s something crucial missing from your child’s healthcare journey – an assessment that could finally reveal the real root cause of their health challenges.

The Missing Piece That Changes Everything

What if there was a crucial examination that reveals the true source of your child’s health challenges – one that most doctors never perform? An assessment so advanced it can detect hidden dysfunction that traditional medicine misses, yet it’s completely safe and non-invasive for children as young as one day old.

This isn’t wishful thinking. It’s science-based healthcare that looks beyond symptoms to find answers.

Why Traditional Medicine Falls Short

Here’s a reality that should concern every parent: traditional medicine relies primarily on symptoms and looks for obvious pathology through standard exams like blood work, MRIs, and EEGs. Yet these tests often come back “normal” even when children are clearly struggling with significant health challenges.

What’s missing from this approach is an assessment of the most critical system that determines whether your child is healthy or not – the central nervous system.

Dr. Bruce Lipton, a renowned cell biologist, explains it perfectly: 

“The function of the nervous system is to perceive the environment and coordinate the function of all other cells.”

This means while you’ve probably invested considerable time, energy, and resources trying to improve your child’s gut health, immune system, and motor development through various therapies, most healthcare providers have completely overlooked the one common thread that ties them all together – the nervous system itself.

Understanding Your Child’s “Air Traffic Control” System

Think of your child’s nervous system as the “air traffic control” for their entire body. It coordinates every internal function with every movement, thought, emotion, behavior, and cognitive process. When this system isn’t functioning properly, it affects everything else – which is why you might be seeing multiple, seemingly unrelated symptoms.

Consider this: your child’s brain doubles in size during the first year of life and continues rapid development throughout childhood. During this critical period, nervous system assessment is far more important than knowing where they sit on a height and weight chart. Yet how many healthcare providers have thoroughly evaluated this system?

The Three Scans That Reveal What Others Miss

Advanced neurological scanning technology, specifically INSiGHT Scans, can detect nervous system dysregulation. These three completely safe, non-invasive assessments provide a comprehensive picture of your child’s nervous system function:

1. The NeuroThermal Scan

This scan identifies regional effects of subluxation and dysautonomia affecting your child’s digestive system, immune function, hormones, and sleep regulation. It helps explain conditions like colic, reflux, constipation, chronic ear infections, and allergies that traditional medicine treats as separate, unrelated issues – when they’re actually all connected through nervous system dysfunction.

2. The NeuroSpinal EMG Scan

This measures neuromotor system function and is vital for investigating conditions like autism, sensory processing disorders, ADHD, and anxiety. It can detect three key patterns:

  • “Raging Bull” pattern: hyperactive/anxious children
  • “Drunken Bull” pattern: coordination and focus challenges
  • “Raging Drunken Bull” pattern: combination of both

3. The Heart Rate Variability Scan

This assesses your child’s adaptability and resilience, revealing whether their nervous system is healthy and balanced or stuck in chronic stress mode. It’s the key marker that determines if they can properly adapt to daily physical, emotional, and environmental challenges.

Why Children Don’t “Grow Out Of” Problems

Here’s something that might surprise you: INSiGHT Scans reveal why children don’t actually “grow out of” early problems like colic and tantrums. Instead, they often “grow into” more serious conditions like ADHD, anxiety, sensory processing challenges, and chronic illness as they age.

These scans detect subluxation and dysautonomia – the real root causes creating three major problems in your child’s nervous system:

  • Stuck stress and tension
  • Lack of balance and coordination
  • Overall disorganization and dysfunction

The Power of Precise Measurement

Unlike the guesswork often involved in traditional symptom management, this technology provides precise measurement and tracking of nervous system dysfunction. This allows for personalized care plans that address the actual cause rather than just managing symptoms with medications or therapies.

Finally, you can get real, root-cause answers instead of just “managing symptoms” forever.

Your Next Steps: Empowering Your Family’s Health Journey

As a parent, you know your child better than anyone. Trust your instincts when you feel something isn’t right, even when tests come back “normal.” You have the right to:

  • Seek comprehensive assessments that look beyond symptoms
  • Ask questions about your child’s nervous system function
  • Explore advanced diagnostic technology that can reveal hidden dysfunction
  • Demand answers that address root causes, not just symptom management

At RCW we understand that the nervous system controls everything in your child’s body. When it’s not functioning optimally, neither is your child. We would love to help you identify and address nervous system dysfunction, giving your child the foundation for true health and optimal development.

If you are ready to advocate for your child’s optimal development and long-term wellbeing, give us a call today to schedule a consultation!

Your child’s health journey doesn’t have to be a mystery. Sometimes, looking deeper reveals exactly what you need to know.

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This Nervous System Imbalance Is Sabotaging Your Child’s School Year

Pediatric Chiropractic

If you’re like most parents we meet, you’ve probably tried behavior charts, talked to counselors, maybe even considered medication for your child’s struggles at school, but you’re still searching for answers that actually address what’s really going on. We totally get it.

Some of us have stayed up worried about sending our children with ADHD or SPD back to school. Thinking about the phone calls from teachers about focus issues, the meltdowns over homework, or even watching our brilliant children struggle in an environment that just doesn’t seem designed for how their brain works.

Here’s a statistic that should get every parent’s attention: In 2022, an additional 1 million U.S. children received an ADHD diagnosis compared to 2016. Sensory processing challenges now affect nearly 1 in 6 children. Yet most doctors are still approaching these conditions the same way they did 20 years ago – focusing on managing the symptoms instead of addressing the root cause.

What if we told you there’s a completely different approach that’s helping children not just survive the school year, but actually thrive?

Janine’s Story: From Overwhelm to Thriving

Let us start by telling you about Janine, who came to our office as a young teen with major sensory processing struggles. Physical touch, crowds, loud noises, and even itchy clothes would send her into complete overwhelm with anxiousness. It made school and even simple tasks like going into stores extremely difficult for her and her family.

Janine was so easily overwhelmed by outside stimulation because she had so much stress built up inside her nervous system. Through neurologically-focused chiropractic care, we helped calm down the stress and “noise” within her very sensitive body. Today, Janine says that chiropractic “helps me live.” When she gets overwhelmed now, she rates her anxiety at a level 3 or 4 versus the 8 or 9 it used to be. She’s now thriving so much that she’s even considering becoming a chiropractor herself!

Janine’s story is beautiful, and what’s so encouraging is that she isn’t alone in this transformation. Now let’s dive into understanding the real root cause when it comes to ADHD and SPD, and all of the hard transitions during the school year.

Understanding the Real Root Cause of ADHD and SPD School Struggles

The truth is, ADHD and SPD are often characterized by an overactive sympathetic “fight or flight” nervous system response. That’s the imbalance that is sabotaging your child’s school year.

This leaves children constantly on edge and makes it nearly impossible to focus, transition between activities, or regulate emotions in a school environment. At the same time, their parasympathetic “rest and digest” system, which is crucial for focus, learning, and emotional balance, remains underactive.

This nervous system imbalance often begins with what we call “The Perfect Storm” – early life stressors, including prenatal stress, birth interventions, and environmental factors that leave the nervous system stuck in a state of dysfunction.

But here’s the good news: there are drug-free strategies that can make a real difference. Let’s explore five game-changing approaches that can transform your child’s school experience this year.

1. The Sleep Foundation That Changes Everything

Quality sleep is absolutely crucial for managing ADHD and SPD symptoms because during sleep, the brain consolidates learning, processes emotions, and recharges for the next day. However, many children with these conditions struggle with sleep issues, creating a vicious cycle.

What you can do:

  • Gradually adjust bedtimes and wake times by just 15 minutes every few days
  • Establish calming bedtime routines that signal to the nervous system it’s time to wind down
  • Create sleep-friendly environments with minimal stimulation

Creating these sleep-friendly environments can dramatically improve focus and emotional regulation during school hours. Think of sleep as the foundation that makes everything else possible.

2. Creating an Environmental Structure That Actually Works

Children with ADHD and SPD often struggle with executive function skills. This isn’t a character flaw – it’s how their nervous system processes information and manages tasks.

Creating organized home environments with command centers, designated spaces for school items, and color-coded systems can help reduce anxiety and enable children to feel more in control of their daily routines.

Here’s the key insight: This isn’t just about organization – it’s about reducing the cognitive load on an already overwhelmed nervous system, allowing that mental energy to be directed toward learning and growth instead.

Practical steps:

  • Create a dedicated homework station with all supplies within reach
  • Use visual schedules and color-coding for different subjects or activities
  • Establish consistent routines for morning and after-school transitions
  • Designate specific places for backpacks, shoes, and school materials

3. The Exercise Connection That Rivals Medication

Dr. John Ratey’s groundbreaking research in his book “Spark” shows that exercise can be as effective as medication for some children with ADHD. Physical activity can improve cognitive function, boost mood, and help manage anxiety naturally.

Morning physical activity specifically helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system and improve neurological function throughout the school day. This gives children the internal regulation they need to succeed academically and socially.

Simple ways to incorporate movement:

  • Start the day with 10-15 minutes of physical activity
  • Try activities like jumping jacks, running in place, or dancing
  • Consider walking or biking to school when possible
  • Encourage movement breaks during homework time

The key is consistency rather than intensity. Even gentle movement can make a significant difference in your child’s ability to focus and regulate emotions.

4. Nutrition and Hydration: Fueling the Nervous System

While we haven’t discussed this extensively yet, proper nutrition plays a crucial role in nervous system function. A well-nourished brain is better equipped to handle the demands of school.

Focus on:

  • Consistent meal times to support blood sugar stability
  • Adequate protein to support neurotransmitter production
  • Proper hydration throughout the day
  • Limiting processed foods and artificial additives that can increase hyperactivity

5. Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care – The Missing Piece

Maybe you’ve tried all of the above strategies and still haven’t seen the changes you’re hoping for in your child. Let’s talk about what might be the missing foundation piece.

Through gentle, specific adjustments, neurologically-focused chiropractic care works to release tension in the overactive sympathetic nervous system while activating the calming parasympathetic system, including the vital vagus nerve.

Many practices now use advanced scanning technology, called INSiGHT Scans, to pinpoint exactly where nervous system stress is occurring and create personalized care plans that can lead to:

  • Improved focus and attention
  • Better emotional regulation
  • Enhanced sleep quality
  • Fewer behavioral challenges
  • Easier transitions and adaptability

This approach addresses the foundation – the nervous system – which then allows all the other strategies, like sleep, organization, and exercise, to work even more effectively.

The Perfect Storm: Understanding How We Got Here

It’s important to understand that these challenges didn’t develop overnight. Many children with ADHD and SPD have experienced what we call “The Perfect Storm” – a combination of stressors that occurred during critical developmental periods:

  • Prenatal stress: Maternal stress during pregnancy can impact fetal nervous system development
  • Birth trauma: Difficult deliveries, interventions, or complications can create tension in the nervous system
  • Early life stressors: Falls, accidents, emotional trauma, or even repetitive positioning can contribute to nervous system dysfunction

Understanding this timeline helps parents realize that their child’s struggles aren’t their fault, and more importantly, that there are specific interventions that can help restore proper nervous system function.

What This Means for Your Family

If you’re reading this and thinking, “This sounds exactly like my child,” please know that you’re not alone, and there is hope. At RCW we have helped so many families find real solutions by addressing the nervous system foundation first.

Moving Forward: Your Next Steps

  1. Start with the basics: Implement the sleep, exercise, and environmental strategies we’ve discussed. These can make an immediate difference while you explore other options.
  2. Consider a neurological evaluation: If you’ve tried multiple approaches without lasting success, it may be time to have your child’s nervous system function assessed by a practitioner trained in neurologically-focused care.
  3. Trust your instincts: You know your child better than anyone. If something doesn’t feel right, keep searching for answers.

The Hope You’ve Been Looking For

At RCW, we want you to know that your brilliant, sensitive, amazing child can thrive. The struggles you’re seeing aren’t permanent limitations – they’re signs that the nervous system needs support to function optimally.

Please contact us today to schedule a consultation for your child. You’ve got this, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.