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In the world of neurologically-focused chiropractic care, healing is a process that happens in phases. As neurologically-focused pediatric + family Chiropractors, we emphasize the importance of observing Neurological Soft Signs of Healing early in care. These are the subtle yet critical indicators that show a child’s nervous system is beginning to recover, even before the more obvious changes in behavior or health occur.
While parents may understandably look for major breakthroughs—such as improved speech and communication, reduced seizures, or significant behavioral changes—it’s important to recognize that neurological healing starts with foundational shifts in the body.
Neurologically-focused chiropractic care addresses the root cause of nervous system dysfunction, often caused by subluxation, dysautonomia, or a “Perfect Storm” of early stressors. As the nervous system begins to rebalance, there are several early signs that indicate the body is on the right track.
Want to go deeper on this topic? Listen to this episode on The Experience Miracles Podcast, where Dr. Tony covers the subtle yet critical indicators that show a child’s nervous system is beginning to heal, even before major symptoms improve.
What Are Neurological Soft Signs of Healing?
These soft signs are the early and often subtle changes that reflect improved nervous system function. They serve as a key indication that chiropractic adjustments are helping to restore neurological balance and resilience.
Some of the most common Neurological Soft Signs include:
- Improved Sleep Patterns: One of the earliest indicators is better sleep. A child may fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and wake up more rested.
- Better Digestion and Bowel Movements: Many children who begin care show improvements in digestion and bowel regulation, which can manifest as more regular bowel movements or a reduction in digestive discomfort.
- Improved Respiratory and Immune Function: Children may experience fewer illnesses, recover more quickly from colds and congestion, and show less susceptibility to respiratory issues and infections.
- Better Posture and Muscle Tone: As subluxations are corrected, parents may notice that their child’s posture improves, with less head tilting, more relaxed shoulders, and better overall body coordination.
- Reduced Sensory Overload: Children with sensory processing challenges often start to experience less hypersensitivity to stimuli, such as noise, lights, or textures. Things like brushing their teeth, wearing different clothes, trying new foods, or getting a haircut become much easier.
- More Calm and Focused Behavior: Another soft sign of healing is when children begin to show more emotional regulation, less anxiety, and an ability to focus better in school or during therapy sessions.
Why Are Soft Signs Important?
These signs indicate that the central and autonomic nervous systems are starting to reset and reorganize, allowing the body to regulate better. By recognizing these small victories, parents can feel confident that their child is progressing, even if more significant behavioral or brain-based changes take time.
We emphasize that soft signs are part of the process of neurological restoration and a foundation for more noticeable transformations down the road. These initial improvements pave the way for more advanced healing, such as better communication, motor skills, and emotional regulation.
How Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care Supports Healing
Chiropractic adjustments work to remove the neurological interference caused by subluxation and neurological dysfunction, allowing the brain and body to communicate effectively. When the nervous system is restored and back in balance, the body can begin to heal itself naturally. The soft signs are the body’s way of signaling that it is adapting and regaining function, leading to long-term health improvements.
Foundational Basics Before Brain-Based Advanced Therapies
While most medical and even often holistic providers believe that common neurological conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Anxiety, and Epilepsy especially are “brain-based” problems, and therefore all treatments and care options must aggressively and directly target the brain, the truth is most of these conditions have their roots in the body or more “basics” of functions that are thrown off track first.
The motor system, sensory system, digestive system, respiratory system, immune system, and other “bodily basic functions” are essential and foundational to having a healthy brian and overall nervous system function. So true root cause healing of even “brain-based” conditions must actually begin in the “body” and with the “basics” to be more effective, especially in the long term.
This is also why certain treatments or therapies that target brain function first, before the foundational issues of subluxation, nervous system dysregulation, and dysautonomia are addressed often “destabilize” the brain-body connection even further. Many parents report to us that when their children undergo intensive “brain-based” treatments like lasers and primitive reflex integration early on in the healing process, things like sleep, sensory issues, motor tics, and seizures often get worse not better.
This conversation of properly “sequencing” various care options and healing modalities is perhaps the most important conversation we can have with parents today. Where information and access to various options (awesomely) is at an all time high.
It’s very important that parents are informed about how essential starting with the basic foundations of nervous system function and restoration really is. This can often take weeks or even months to see breakthroughs in the Neurological Soft Signs and INSiGHT Scans for tough cases, and it’s important to wait on layering in other targeted therapies like detoxification, speech therapy, OTs, and so forth until these foundational changes are seen first.
Here is a real life example of one of our perfect storm intensive program patients seeing incredible changes with his neurological soft signs:
The Importance of INSiGHT Scans for Tracking Progress
While soft signs are encouraging indicators of progress, objective changes in nervous system function are best confirmed through INSiGHT Scans. These scans provide valuable data on how well the nervous system is functioning by measuring factors like muscle activity, thermal patterns, and heart rate variability.
Positive changes on these scans demonstrate that the nervous system is moving toward optimal balance, resilience, and restoration. Tracking functional improvements objectively helps ensure that progress is happening in the right direction and provides the scientific validation that parents and practitioners need to see.
Here is an example of HRV (Heart Rate Variability) scans improving as care progresses, indicating vastly improved adaptability, resiliency, and overall neurological function:
What to Expect as Healing Continues
As care progresses, parents may observe additional neurological milestones such as:
- Enhanced immune function
- Greater physical coordination
- Improved behavior and emotional stability
- Enhanced focus and cognitive function
The journey to recovery through neurologically-focused chiropractic care is unique to each child, but recognizing these early signs of improvement can give parents confidence and hope. With continued care, the body can reach its full healing potential, leading to long-lasting, transformative changes in a child’s health and well-being.
Trust the Process of Healing
While every parent naturally wants to see big breakthroughs as soon as possible, it’s crucial to understand the importance of these early neurological soft signs. They are a powerful indication that your child’s body is on the right path to healing and recovery. Through continued care, the nervous system will continue to regulate and strengthen, laying the groundwork for greater neurological restoration and optimal health.
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:
- Release Phase
- Rebuild + Reorganize Phase
- 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!
If you’ve been lying awake at night, worried about your child’s health and wondering why traditional answers aren’t working, you’re not alone. As a parent, you know when something isn’t right with your child, regardless of what you’ve been told by well-meaning doctors or friends. That instinct – that deepening concern that something more is going on – is worth listening to.
The Silent Epidemic
Here’s a startling truth that isn’t being discussed enough: up to 40% of children today are struggling with at least one chronic health condition. Some research suggests this number may even be higher than 50%. This is simply not ok! We’re seeing unprecedented rates of:
- Anxiety and emotional regulation challenges
- ADHD and focus issues
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Chronic digestive problems
- Allergies and autoimmune conditions
- Sleep disorders
- Sensory processing issues
Looking Beyond Common Theories
Before we dive into what’s really causing our children to be so sick, we need to address two common theories that most people believe. The first probably won’t surprise you, but the second just might shake up everything you thought you knew about children’s health.
Theory #1: “It’s All in the Genes”
The entire traditional medical system is built upon a simple concept: good genes equal good health, and bad genes equal poor health. It’s a neat, tidy explanation that puts everything into convenient boxes.
But here’s the truth that challenges this theory: our genes take thousands of years to adapt and change significantly. There’s simply no way that genetics alone can explain the explosive rise in chronic illness we’re seeing in our kids today. This dramatic increase has happened in just a few generations – far too quick to be explained by genetic changes.
Theory #2: “It’s All About Toxins”
When people first start exploring natural health and wellness (which is fantastic!), they often land on one conclusion: it must be all about toxins and chemicals in our environment. And while we absolutely agree that “kids and chemicals don’t mix,” and our chemical-filled world is definitely a major contributor to chronic illness, it’s not the whole story.
The Hidden Trigger Hiding in Plain Sight
The real culprit behind this explosion in chronic illness is something we all know about but often overlook when it comes to our children: stress.
Yes, stress. It sounds almost too simple, doesn’t it? However, the impact of stress on our children’s developing nervous systems is profound and far-reaching.
Think about it: we’ve normalized stress to such an extent that we barely notice it anymore. Our children’s nervous systems are constantly “wound up and worn out,” yet we rarely connect this to their health challenges. We’ve accepted this state as normal, but there’s nothing normal about it.
Understanding “The Perfect Storm”
What we’re seeing in children’s health today is what we call “The Perfect Storm” – a cascade of stressors that begins early in life and can dramatically impact a child’s developing nervous system:
- It starts during pregnancy with maternal stress affecting fetal nervous system development.
- Birth interventions (C-sections, forceps, vacuum extractions) can cause physical trauma to the brainstem and vagus nerve.
- Early childhood challenges compound these initial stressors (environmental toxins, repeated antibiotic use, social challenges, etc). Early issues like colic, reflux, and ear infections are warning signs.
When these stressors combine, they create a perfect storm of nervous system dysfunction and dysregulation – also called subluxation and dysautonomia. This doesn’t just affect mental and emotional well-being – it impacts every aspect of health:
- Gut health and digestion
- Immune system function
- Sleep patterns
- Hormone regulation
- Brain development
- Emotional regulation
- Physical development
Children don’t just “grow out of” these challenges – they often develop into more complex issues.
Taking Back Control
The good news is that understanding this connection between stress, nervous system function, and overall health opens up new possibilities for healing. Instead of just treating symptoms or trying to “fix” genes, we can focus on supporting our children’s nervous systems and creating environments that promote natural healing.
Neurologically-focused chiropractic care at RCW identifies and addresses subluxation and nervous system dysfunction. We start by gathering a case history of your child and then use advanced INSiGHT scanning technology to measure neurological function in your child. Using this data, we then create personalized care plans based on each child’s specific needs. Finally, with our gentle adjustments, we help restore proper nervous system regulation naturally, without drugs.
Your Next Steps
It’s time to stop accepting chronic illness as the new normal for our children. Understanding the true role of stress and nervous system function in your child’s health is the first step toward real, lasting change.
At RCW, we regularly see families who have tried everything. From conventional medicine to specialized diets, detox programs, and expensive functional medicine treatments – yet their children continue to be sick and struggle. When traditional approaches and countless medical interventions haven’t worked, we focus on a simpler explanation. While factors like genetics, gluten sensitivity, and gut health can contribute to illness, the root cause traces back to nervous system dysfunction, dysregulation, and subluxation.
If this is you, please don’t hesitate to reach out today to schedule a consultation. We not only provide world-class chiropractic care at our office, but we also provide the most empowering and supportive community out there!
Your child’s future health is worth every step of this journey, and it’s never too late to start making positive changes that can impact not just their immediate well-being but their health for years to come.
Let’s be honest – are you tired of hearing that exhaustion is just “part of being a parent”? That brain fog, constant fatigue, and feeling overwhelmed are simply your new normal now that you have kids?
As a parent, you deserve better than accepting exhaustion as your default state. While it’s true that parenting demands incredible energy and dedication, feeling constantly burnt out isn’t inevitable or necessary. In fact, it’s entirely possible to maintain high energy while raising your children, and it doesn’t require perfection or an overwhelming lifestyle overhaul.
The Reality of Parent Burnout
Research from the American Psychological Association reveals that one-third of parents rate their stress levels as extremely high (8-10 on a 10-point scale). This is particularly challenging for parents of children with special needs, who often face additional demands coordinating therapies and managing complex daily routines.
But here’s the truth: While parenting is inherently demanding, chronic exhaustion isn’t a badge of honor or a requirement. It’s a sign that something needs to change – and you have more control over that change than you might think.
5 Sustainable Ways to Reclaim Your Energy
1. Build Your Support System
- Surround yourself with positive, energizing people who lift you up
- Connect with other parents who understand your journey
- Don’t hesitate to distance yourself from relationships that drain your energy
- Remember that seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness
2. Create Your Ideal Week Framework
Instead of overwhelming yourself with endless daily to-do lists, try this approach:
- Use a color-coded weekly schedule: yellow for self-care (non-negotiable!), orange for work, pink for protected family time
- Focus on weekly achievements rather than daily perfection
- Build in recovery time and “white space” for flexibility
- Understand and respect your personal stress capacity
3. Embrace Strategic Movement
Movement isn’t just about fitness – it’s about energy management:
- Mix high-intensity activities for stress release (ex: HIIT) with gentle movement for sustained energy (ex: walking, yoga)
- Variety is key – mix up your movement types
- Consistency matters more than intensity
- Use movement as a tool for mental clarity and stress relief
4. Prioritize Smart Nourishment
Your body needs proper fuel to maintain energy:
- Focus on clean proteins and healthy fats
- Stay hydrated with mineral-rich water
- Consider basic supplements like a quality multivitamin, omega-3s, magnesium, and vitamin D
- Use technology mindfully to track your progress and stress levels
5. Support Your Nervous System
The foundation of sustainable energy lies in a well-regulated nervous system!
- Regular chiropractic care for nervous system support
- Go in for a boost adjustment when needed
Making It Work in Real Life
The key to success isn’t perfection – it’s creating sustainable routines that work for your unique family situation. Start small, be consistent, and remember that taking care of yourself isn’t selfish – it’s essential for being the parent you want to be.
If you’re ready to break free from the myth that parents should be exhausted all the time, it’s time to take action. At Rochester Chiropractic and Wellness, we specialize in helping parents prioritize their nervous system function and energy levels through Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care – the first step in achieving balance!
Don’t accept exhaustion as your new normal. Let’s work together to get your energy back and help you be the parent you want to be. Your future self – and your family – will thank you!
