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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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Why So Many Kids Today Are So Sick (It’s Not Just Toxins)

Kick the Sick

If you’re a parent wondering why children today seem to face more health challenges than ever before, you’re not alone. The statistics are truly alarming. The CDC admits that an astonishing 40% of American children are currently struggling with at least one chronic illness. While other research and medical experts put this number even higher at 50% or beyond.

As parents, we have to ask ourselves: Why are our children struggling more than ever with chronic health issues?

It doesn’t matter which path we look down – from chronic digestive disorders to inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, to neurological conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder, anxiety, epilepsy, and depression – millions of children and families are suffering.

Beyond Conventional Explanations

While conventional medicine often blames genetics and bad luck, rushing to prescribe medications that only mask symptoms (and potentially create new problems), there’s a deeper truth.

Even many holistic-minded, natural health, and functional medicine providers may miss this critical piece of the puzzle.

The truth is that chronic illness in children is almost always multi-factorial. The root cause isn’t just genetics, and we can’t simply blame toxins and poor nutrition either.

What if we need to look even deeper than genetics, gluten, and environmental toxins? What if all those factors do play a role, along with overuse of medications, antibiotics, and other interventions… but there’s still more to the story?

What if the most pervasive and persistent cause of chronic illness in our kids is something hiding right in plain sight?

For Parents Who Have Tried Everything

This information is especially for you if you feel frustrated and disappointed by conventional healthcare, but also feel like you’ve exhausted every natural and holistic treatment available.

If you’ve tried medications, supplements, detoxification protocols, and maybe even approaches like hyperbaric oxygen therapy or treatments targeting neuroinflammation – but still feel that something fundamental is missing – trust that intuition.

The Perfect Storm: Understanding Early Life Stressors

Let’s break down what we call “The Perfect Storm” of early life stressors that can lead to chronic illness. This complex health crisis begins with three primary factors that create the perfect conditions for disruption in our children’s developing nervous systems:

  1. High levels of maternal stress during pregnancy and/or fertility challenges.
    The mother’s physiological state and stress levels during pregnancy directly impact the developing baby’s nervous system.
  2. Birth interventions and trauma.
    C-sections, forceps deliveries, vacuum extraction, induction, cord complications, and other birth interventions can create physical stress on the infant’s delicate neurological system.
  3. Early exposure to medications, antibiotics, toxins, and environmental stressors.
    These exposures can disrupt the developing nervous and immune systems at critical developmental windows.

Today, we must also recognize the additional stress that technology, screen time, and social media exposure places on our children’s nervous systems. Often long before they’re developmentally ready to handle this type of sensory and emotional input.

Nervous System Dysregulation: The Missing Link

When a child’s developing brain and nervous system are exposed to these stressors early and often, it causes their autonomic nervous system to shift into a sustained “fight-or-flight” response. This means their sympathetic nervous system gets stuck in overdrive and is constantly “switched on.”

This neurological dysregulation manifests differently at various developmental stages:

  • In infants, it looks like colic, reflux, and excessive fussiness
  • In toddlers and young children, it appears as meltdowns, tantrums, and trouble with transitions
  • In school-age children, we see impulsivity, behavior issues, and focus or concentration challenges
  • In teenagers and young adults, it often “grows into” anxiety, ADHD, and other diagnosed conditions

This state of constant neurological stress prevents children from being in their natural “growth and development” mode, throwing them off track developmentally.

Early warning signs like colic, reflux, constipation, chronic ear infections, and developmental delays aren’t just isolated issues that children will “grow out of.” They’re actually red flags signaling deeper neurological dysfunction and the beginnings of “The Perfect Storm.”

The Cascade Effect on Body Systems

Once the nervous system is thrown into sympathetic overdrive and becomes dysregulated (a condition known as dysautonomia), it begins to “shut down” the function of other core bodily systems:

The Gut + Digestive System

When the nervous system is constantly stuck in fight-or-flight mode, it diverts energy away from digestion. This shuts down digestive motility, absorption, assimilation, and elimination. Leading to limited detoxification pathways and leaving the body more prone to the buildup of toxins and harmful microorganisms.

The Respiratory-Immune System

Sustained sympathetic stress leaves the immune system in a hypersensitive, pro-inflammatory state. Neurological inflammation is now implicated in nearly every chronic childhood condition, from autism to autoimmune conditions.

The Sensori-Motor System

Nervous system dysfunction significantly alters motor tone, coordination, and sensory processing. Leading to sensory challenges, gross and fine motor delays, speech delays, and more.

Why Most Approaches Fall Short

Here’s where both conventional and alternative approaches often miss the mark. The conventional medical system chases symptoms and works on “individual systems” rather than addressing the whole body and nervous system.

Similarly, even functional or natural medicine practitioners often work on specific symptoms with supplements or detox protocols instead of addressing the foundational nervous system dysregulation directly.

The critical issue is that nervous system dysregulation, dysfunction, and dysautonomia typically don’t show up on standard medical testing, lab work, or blood work. These foundational root cause issues can only be identified through specialized assessments like INSiGHT Scanning Technology, which evaluates the function of the autonomic nervous system.

The Path to Healing and Recovery

The good news is that your child’s health challenges aren’t simply genetic destiny or bad luck. By addressing the root cause – nervous system dysfunction and dysregulation – we can help restore balance and function naturally to the brain and body. Without relying on endless medications and interventions.

Neurologically-focused chiropractic care, particularly through specific, gentle chiropractic adjustments, can directly address these nervous system imbalances and help restore proper function.

Signs of Healing

We know children are on the right path to healing when what we call the “neurological soft signs” of recovery begin to emerge:

  • Improved sleep
  • Better digestion
  • Enhanced immune function
  • Improved motor tone and coordination
  • Better ability to handle transitions and make decisions

As care progresses and we begin to see momentum building with these improvements, we can be confident that a child is on the path to optimal health and wellness.

Taking the Next Step

While it can feel overwhelming to learn about these complex factors affecting our children’s health, understanding the root cause is the first step toward true healing.

Trust your parental intuition. If you feel there’s more to your child’s health challenges than what you’ve been told, you’re probably right. The nervous system connection is often that missing piece of the puzzle.

If you’re ready to discover the real root cause of your child’s health struggles and learn about natural, drug-free solutions, reach out to RCW today to schedule a consultation for your child. We specialize in Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care and understand the critical connection between nervous system function and overall health.

Your child deserves to thrive, not just survive. And understanding this missing link could be the key that unlocks their full health potential.

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Stop Managing Allergies and Start Solving Them

Kick the Sick

“It’s just allergies.” How many times have you heard these words that seem to minimize what your child goes through every day? If you’re a parent watching your child battle constant coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes – along with the crushing fatigue and irritability that comes with both the allergies and their medications – you know it’s never “just” anything.

The Reality of Seasonal Allergies in Children

Nearly one in five children suffer from seasonal allergies. Though if you look around during peak allergy seasons, that number seems conservative. These aren’t just minor inconveniences – they’re life-altering conditions that can keep kids from fully enjoying their childhood. No child should have to live in fear of pollen counts, nature hikes, or playing at a friend’s house because of their allergies.

Let’s share a story about Stella, a young patient whose journey might sound familiar. She came to our office struggling not just with seasonal allergies, but also with sensory issues and focus problems. Her parents had tried numerous therapies, but something was still missing. After addressing the underlying neurological component of her allergies, everything changed. As her mother shared, “No more green boogers during allergy season is a huge plus”! But what’s even more remarkable is how neurologically-focused chiropractic care improved multiple aspects of Stella’s health. From better focus to improved body awareness and even trying new foods.

Moving Beyond Traditional Approaches

If you’ve been told that allergies are purely genetic and there’s nothing you can do about them, or if you’ve been focusing solely on special diets and gut healing, there’s something crucial you need to know: while these approaches have merit, there is a good chance they are missing a fundamental piece of the puzzle.

The Hidden Connection: Your Child’s Nervous System

What many healthcare providers – both conventional and natural – often miss is the crucial connection between your child’s nervous system and their allergic responses. When the nervous system is dysregulated and stuck in “sympathetic overdrive,” it keeps the immune system hypersensitive and in a constant pro-inflammatory state. This explains why some children develop severe allergic responses while others remain completely unbothered by the same environmental triggers.

Understanding the Root Cause

The conventional medical approach often views seasonal allergies as simply an overreaction to pollen and other allergens. However, the truth goes much deeper – it’s about how your child’s nervous system regulates their immune response. This understanding opens up new possibilities for healing.

The Impact of Early Medical Interventions

One factor that’s often overlooked is how early medical interventions can contribute to allergy development. The overuse of antibiotics in infants, especially within the first two years of life, has been linked to increased risk of allergies and autoimmune conditions. Here’s why:

  1. Disruption of the Gut Microbiome: About 70-80% of your child’s immune cells reside in the gut. Antibiotics don’t discriminate between helpful and harmful bacteria, potentially disrupting this delicate ecosystem.
  2. Impact on Immune Development: Early antibiotic exposure can alter the balance between different types of immune responses (Th1/Th2), potentially predisposing children to allergic reactions.

Research supports these concerns:

  • A 2020 study in JAMA Pediatrics found that children exposed to antibiotics in their first year had an increased risk of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema
  • The Lancet Respiratory Medicine reported that early-life antibiotic exposure significantly increases the risk of childhood asthma

The Inside-Out Approach to Healing

The key to understanding your child’s allergies lies in recognizing that the real issue isn’t the external environment – it’s how their body responds to it. When the nervous system is dysregulated, it can lead to:

  • Increased tension affecting drainage of the ears, nose, throat, and lymph nodes
  • A hypersensitive immune response
  • Constant pro-inflammatory states

Taking Action: A Natural, Drug-Free Approach

The good news is that you have options beyond just managing symptoms. By addressing the underlying nervous system dysregulation with neurologically-focused chiropractic care, many families are finding lasting relief for their children.

Steps You Can Take:

  1. Address Nervous System Function: Consider having your child evaluated for nervous system dysregulation, which could be the major missing piece in their healing journey.
  2. Support Gut Health: While not the complete answer, maintaining a healthy gut microbiome through proper nutrition and probiotic support is important.
  3. Reduce Inflammatory Triggers: Work with a healthcare provider who understands the connection between nervous system function and immune response.
  4. Look Beyond Symptom Management: Instead of simply treating symptoms, focus on addressing the root cause of your child’s allergies.

At RCW we use advanced scanning technology called INSiGHT Scans that help us access your child’s nervous system, and locate any subluxation and dysregulation. From there we put together a personalized care plan and use gentle adjustments that will help regulate their nervous system function.

A New Path Forward

Don’t let another allergy season keep your child from experiencing life to the fullest!

Understanding the role of nervous system regulation in allergic responses opens up new possibilities for natural, lasting relief. Whether spring is just around the corner or you’re already in the midst of allergy season, know that there’s hope beyond just managing symptoms. Your child deserves to experience life without the burden of seasonal allergies, and with the right approach, that is absolutely possible.

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What To Expect When You Come To RCW

New Patients

As a parent, there’s nothing more heartbreaking than watching your child struggle and feeling powerless to help. Perhaps you’ve already explored various treatment or therapy options – from traditional chiropractic care to occupational therapy – but something still feels missing. You’re not alone in this journey, and there’s hope for a different approach.

Beyond Traditional Solutions: A Technology-Driven Path to Healing

What if we told you there was a way to understand exactly what’s happening in your child’s nervous system? A method that doesn’t rely on guesswork but instead uses cutting-edge technology to create precise, personalized care plans? This is exactly what our neurologically-focused approach offers.

Let us share a story that might resonate with you. Meet Henry, a young patient whose journey mirrors many of the families we see. Before finding us, Henry struggled with intense sensory challenges. He would run full speed into walls, seeking sensory input, react strongly to being wet or dirty, and even chew through clothing and toys. His parents had tried traditional chiropractic care and spent four months in occupational therapy. While these approaches helped with some behavioral issues, they didn’t address the root cause of his dysregulation.

The Power of a Neurological Approach

Within just one month of beginning neurologically-focused care, Henry’s family noticed remarkable changes. His sensory-seeking behaviors became less intense and less frequent. Instead of living in a constant state of dysregulation, Henry could finally benefit from positive sensory inputs like swinging and using weighted blankets. This transformation didn’t just change Henry’s life – it transformed his entire family’s daily experience.

Our Unique 5-Step Process to Better Health

Our approach is systematic and thorough, designed to uncover and address the root causes of your child’s challenges. Here’s how we do it:

  1. In-Depth Consultation: Unlike rushed medical visits, we take the time to truly understand your child’s complete health journey, from pregnancy and birth to early development. This comprehensive history helps us identify potential root causes that other providers might miss.
  1. Advanced INSiGHT Scans: We utilize state-of-the-art technology to measure your child’s nervous system function. These scans detect three crucial factors: subluxation, dysautonomia, and vagus nerve dysfunction. This gives us objective data about your child’s neurological health, taking the guesswork out of care.
  1. Customized Care Plan Development: We blend your child’s unique history with their scan results to create a precisely tailored care plan. There are no “cookie-cutter” approaches here – every aspect of care, including frequency and duration, is specifically calculated for optimal results.
  1. Comprehensive Report of Findings: We take time to explain everything we’ve discovered, showing you your child’s scan results and ensuring you understand what they mean. We answer all your questions and outline clear next steps.
  1. Gentle, Effective Care: Our adjustments are safe, gentle, and specifically designed for children. Each adjustment helps release tension and stress from the nervous system, often leading to improved sleep, behavior, and overall well-being.

Taking the First Step

Just like Henry’s family, you deserve answers and real solutions for your child’s health challenges. Our neurologically-focused approach has helped countless children overcome challenges that seemed insurmountable. The transformation starts with understanding exactly what’s happening in your child’s nervous system.

Ready to discover what your child’s nervous system is trying to tell you? Take the first step toward understanding and addressing your child’s challenges. Reach out to RCW today to schedule a consultation and INSiGHT scan session. Let’s work together to help your child thrive!

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The 3R’s of Rapid Recovery From an Illness

Uncategorized

  1. Rest 

Usually the reason we get sick is because we’ve been doing a poor job of this one essential health + resilience building action (or lack of action) – rest. 

When we’re in a busy, stressful, chaotic season as an individual or as a family it very much depletes our body’s natural defenses and weakens our immune systems. This lowered resistance and resilience is what actually causes an illness to take hold, not merely the exposure to it (germ theory). 

Therefore the most important thing our body craves and needs to get over the illness as quickly and effectively as possible is to rest. 

This looks like not only extra sleep, but also just taking it easy when you’re awake. Do all you can to avoid checking emails or work messages as an adult. Do all you can to keep your child or teen away from phones, texts, YouTube, and TV when they are resting. While this can be quite boring and therefore difficult to do, it will help speed recovery in a major way. 

  1. Replenish 

Once again the lack of proper nutrients and nourishment is likely what led to the illness in the first place. Once again it makes sense to really prioritize this step and get lots of clean water stacked with electrolytes and minerals. Lots of clean protein and macronutrients, and lots of superfood smoothies, fruits, and vegetables into your diet as possible. 

While you or your child may not feel much like eating or drinking at all during the initial stages of the illness. Once hunger and drive starts to kick in again that’s a sign the body is really ready to replenish! It’s important to load it up with all the right nutrients in doing so! 

  1. Recharge 

The two systems that take the biggest hit during an illness are of course the immune system, but also the nervous system, which controls and coordinates immune function. 

You’ll want to recharge the nervous system by getting at least one (if not two) neurologically-focused chiropractic adjustments each day during the illness. Then absolutely load up on all immune system boosting and recharging supplements such as Vitamin D, Vitamin C, zinc, and so forth. Also things like bone broth, elderberry syrup, raw local honey, and various essential oils and homeopathic remedies can really help recharge and strengthen your immune system. 

Putting It All Together 

Point blank getting sick is a regular part of life. We’re all going to have times where we get busy, don’t quite keep our guard up, and a virus or illness gets a hold of us for a short season. Having this 3R’s and “Kick the Sick” plan ready to roll out when we need it to get back to full health is a very normal and regular part of life! 

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Understanding Emotional Dysregulation in Kids: A Nervous System Approach 

Pediatric Chiropractic

Take a deep breath with me for a moment. If you’re reading this, you’re likely living with a daily reality that feels overwhelming: constant emotional outbursts, intense mood swings, heartbreaking meltdowns, struggles with anger, and a child who seems to have no impulse control. For many parents of children with emotional dysregulation, this isn’t just a bad day – it’s every day.

You’ve probably been up late at night, desperately searching for answers. You’ve likely consulted countless specialists – teachers, therapists, doctors – hoping someone would have the solution. You’ve tried everything you can think of: reward charts, punishment systems, essential oils, deep breathing techniques, supplements – the list goes on and on. Maybe you’ve even reached what felt like your last resort – turning to medications for anxiety, depression, or ADHD.

Even if medication has helped improve some symptoms, you might still find yourself awake at night, searching for safer, more natural alternatives. You’re looking for something that addresses the root cause of your child’s challenges, not just masks the symptoms. You worry about long-term medication dependency and seek a better way forward.

A Different Understanding of Your Child’s Struggles

Here’s something that might change everything about how you view your child’s struggles: the root cause of emotional dysregulation often lies within the brain and nervous system, but not in the way you might have been told. This isn’t just about a “chemical imbalance” – it’s about understanding your child’s nervous system from a functional standpoint.

When your child’s nervous system becomes overstressed, imbalanced, and dysregulated, their emotions and behavior naturally follow suit. And here’s the most important thing to remember: this isn’t simply a genetic condition or a reflection of your parenting. The root cause may be simpler and more straightforward than you think.

Understanding the Nervous System Connection

The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) controls emotional responses through two key branches: 

  1. The sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) 
  2. The parasympathetic nervous system (rest, regulate, and digest)

So you can think of your child’s nervous system like a car with a sensitive gas pedal and brake system. When working properly, it can smoothly accelerate and brake as needed. But sometimes, due to various factors, it can get stuck in “high gear” – what we call a sympathetic dominant state or “fight-or-flight” mode. This imbalance and overactive state is known as dysautonomia and nervous system dysregulation.

The “Perfect Storm”: How Did We Get Here?

Several factors can contribute to nervous system dysregulation:

  • Early life stress, including maternal stress during pregnancy
  • Birth interventions like C-sections, forceps, or vacuum extraction
  • The overuse of antibiotics and other medications, plus environmental toxins and poor diet, which disrupts the microbiome and gut-brain connection

Together, these factors create neurological imbalances, leading to emotional dysregulation.

Beyond Traditional Approaches

While behavioral strategies and medications have their place, they often only mask the symptoms rather than the underlying root cause. That’s why many parents find that even when medications help calm their child’s symptoms, they’re still searching for a more complete solution – a neurologically-focused one that addresses the root cause of their child’s challenges – which is needed for lasting change.

Finding Hope and Solutions

The good news is that understanding this nervous system connection opens up new possibilities for helping your child. Just as the nervous system can become dysregulated, it can also be guided back into balance through appropriate support and care.

Some key things to consider:

  • Your child’s behavior isn’t a reflection of poor parenting or a lack of discipline
  • These challenges aren’t simply something they’ll “grow out of”
  • There are ways to measure and address nervous system imbalances
  • A comprehensive approach that considers the whole nervous system can make a real difference

Moving Forward

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your child’s emotional dysregulation, remember that you’re not alone, and there is hope. At RCW, we understand that the nervous system’s role is often the first step toward finding an effective solution for your children, and we would love to help!

We use cutting-edge technology called INSiGHT Scans that allow us to pinpoint, measure, and find subluxation, sympathetic dominance, and nervous system dysregulation that may be causing your child’s emotional dysregulation. With the proper care, we can help your family find calmer, more balanced days. 

Remember, your child’s emotional struggles aren’t your fault, and seeking help isn’t a sign of failure – it’s a sign of love and commitment to your child’s wellbeing.