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Explore our blog that focuses on holistic care for any and all ages - pediatric well-being, pre/post-natal health, and adult vitality.
THE BLOG
As parents, we always want the best for our children’s health. If your child struggles with chronic illnesses, you may have turned to traditional medical approaches or even explored biomedical interventions. However, there may be a hidden cause of inflammation that is often overlooked: vagus nerve dysfunction and nervous system dysregulation.
It’s a common saying that “inflammation is the root of all disease”. While it does play a significant role in many chronic illnesses, including those affecting the gut, immune system, brain, and nervous system, it’s not the whole story. Conditions like autism, ADHD, anxiety, and epilepsy have been linked to chronic inflammation, but addressing inflammation alone may not be enough to resolve these issues.
According to recent research, approximately 27% of children in the United States have a chronic condition, and 1 in 15 have multiple chronic conditions. These numbers are on the rise. Indicating that traditional approaches may not be effectively addressing the root causes of these challenges. This is where the role of the nervous system and vagus nerve comes into play.
The Missing Piece: Stress and Nervous System Dysfunction
While traditional and biomedical approaches often focus on diet changes, detoxes, and supplements to combat inflammation, they are missing a crucial piece of the puzzle. Chronic stress is a significant contributor to inflammation, even in children. It can lead to dysfunction in the vagus nerve and autonomic nervous system.
The vagus nerve, the longest cranial nerve in the body, plays a vital role in regulating the parasympathetic “rest and digest” response. When this nerve becomes compromised due to subluxations or interference along its pathway, it can lead to gut and immune system dysfunction, allowing inflammation to run rampant.
The Vagus Nerve-Immune System Connection
Recent scientific findings have revealed a significant connection between the vagus nerve and the immune system. Specifically in the control and regulation of inflammation. When the vagus nerve is functioning properly, it helps to keep inflammation in check. However, when the nerve becomes dysfunctional, the body’s ability to manage inflammation is compromised. Leading to a wide range of chronic health issues.
So, how can you determine if your child’s vagus nerve is stressed and dysfunctional? Neurological INSiGHT Scans, particularly NeuroThermal testing, can detect areas of subluxation, nervous system interference, inflammation, and temperature changes in the spine. Indicating vagus nerve dysfunction and nervous system dysregulation.
Another valuable tool is Heart Rate Variability (HRV) testing, which measures the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. This test can reveal dysautonomia and the body’s ability to manage stress and inflammation.
The Path to Healing
If your child is struggling with inflammation-related symptoms, such as immune or autoimmune disorders, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, seizures, or other neuroimmune-related health challenges, it’s time to look beyond just managing symptoms and addressing inflammation through diet changes and supplements.
Balancing the autonomic nervous system and optimizing vagus nerve function is essential for resolving persistent inflammation that does not respond to either traditional or biomedical interventions. By identifying and addressing the root cause of your child’s chronic inflammation and health struggles, you can set them on the path to true healing and wellness.
Once vagus nerve dysfunction has been identified, there are various safe, simple, and gentle adjustments to stimulate and activate this essential part of the nervous system. These methods can help to restore balance and reduce inflammation.
As parents, we want you to be informed about the various factors that contribute to your children’s health challenges. If you suspect that your child may be struggling with vagus nerve dysfunction, consider scheduling a consultation at Rochester Chiropractic and Wellness to identify the underlying issues and start your child’s journey to optimal health. Remember, addressing the root cause of your child’s health challenges is the key to a healthier and more vibrant life for your child!
Are you a parent who feels like you’ve exhausted all options when it comes to your child’s health? Have you tried conventional medicine only to be disappointed by its focus on symptoms alone rather than causes? Or perhaps you’ve tried numerous natural remedies yet still find something lacking? If any of this resonates with you, please know you’re not alone.
Millions of families share your frustration, seeking answers while feeling trapped in a cycle of doctor visits, therapies, and medications. But what if we told you there’s a really important piece missing from the puzzle? A crucial system in your child’s body that most is often overlooked. One that holds the key to your child’s health and wellness.
So, if you are tired of bandaid solutions and are eager to learn about the underlying causes of your child’s health challenges, read on to learn about the most crucial system in the body – the brain and the central nervous system.
Neurologically-focused pediatric chiropractic care is the key to getting your child’s health back on track. So keep reading to learn all about The Perfect Storm affecting our child’s health and how our drug-free approach aims to reverse it.
Understanding the Nervous System: The Foundation of Health
We go way beyond surface symptoms and dig down to the root cause of each child’s unique challenges. At the center of our approach is the nervous system— a complex network of nerves and cells that serves as the body’s master controller. The nervous system is responsible for coordinating every function, from breathing and digestion to movement and emotional regulation. When this system experiences stress or imbalance, it can present in your child as a multitude of health challenges.
Picture a car stuck in overdrive, revving at full throttle without pause. This is similar to what happens when a child’s nervous system gets stuck in a state of constant stress, known as sympathetic dominance. This prolonged activation of the fight-or-flight response can wreak havoc on your child’s body. Affecting every other system in their body, including:
- Digestive and gut health
- Immune health
- Gross and fine motor development
- Focus, cognition, behavior, and emotional regulation
This non-stop stress mode is what we call subluxation, dysautonomia, and nervous system dysregulation. All of which mean an overstressed and imbalanced nervous system. This overwhelming stress and neurological dysfunction can lead to a wide range of health challenges. Such as colic, ear infections, asthma, allergies, sensory processing disorder, ADHD, and so much more.
Identifying the Triggers
Understanding the triggers that contribute to sympathetic overdrive is important for getting to the root causes of your child’s health challenges. The three most common “Perfect Storm” triggers are:
- Prenatal Stress: high levels of stress, anxiety, and complications during pregnancy
- Birth Trauma: interventions such as forceps, vacuum, induction, and c-section
- Environmental Factors: early exposure to toxins, chemicals, and medications like antibiotics
While genetics, gut health, and nutrition are all essential to your child’s health, addressing the underlying neurological dysfunction is key when addressing chronic health challenges. We need to assess and measure the health and function of the nervous system first and foremost, and that is exactly what we do as neurologically-focused chiropractors.
The Power of INSiGHT Scans and Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care
We use technology called INSiGHT Scans to detect and measure the presence and level of subluxation and dysautonomia in every patient. These noninvasive scans help us find out if subluxation and nervous system dysregulation is present in your child. They also help to measure it and determine its severity and where the tension and imbalance is within the neurospinal system.
Once we have this information, we can create a personalized and individualized care plan for your child tailored to their unique needs. By addressing the root cause, restoring proper nervous system function, and improving regulation, your child can experience lasting improvements in their health and well-being.
At RCW, we specialize in this drug-free, neurologically focused approach to healthcare for the entire family. To learn more about our practice and how we can support your family’s well-being, please reach out to us today!
We are here to help you take charge of your family’s health and prioritize neurological health. Setting the stage for a lifetime of resilience in your children!
When your child struggles with sensory issues – daily meltdowns, refusal to wear certain clothes or eat specific foods, difficulty sleeping – it can be exhausting and isolating. Each sensory-related tantrum or meltdown in public can make you feel the weight of judgmental stares from people unaware of the neurological root causing your family’s daily struggles.
As parents, there’s nothing we cherish more than our children. Witnessing them struggle with overwhelming situations like large crowds, loud noises, or certain textures is not just frustrating but heart-wrenching. Many mistakenly believe sensory issues in kids are mere phases, dismissing them as “boys being boys” or the “terrible twos.” However, these issues don’t resolve on their own and can escalate into significant challenges later in life.
So, if you are a parent who is seeking to fully understand sensory issues in your child and better explore natural solutions because traditional therapies and avoidance tactics are falling short, this is for you. We want to help you discover the nature of sensory issues. Their manifestations, impact on children’s lives, and underlying root causes like subluxation and vagus nerve dysfunction. We’ll dive into drug-free care options such as neurologically-focused chiropractic care, calming techniques, and more.
The Science Behind Sensory Issues
Sadly, the prevalence of sensory issues in kids has skyrocketed over the past few generations. Estimates today showing rates as high as 1 in 6 children. Despite this surge, providers often fail to recognize a child’s struggles and their true root causes Leaving parents feeling isolated and lost.
Sensory issues in children can be alarming for parents. Often, they’re linked to conditions like Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and ADHD. Imagine a scenario where your child’s brain is bombarded with constant “noise” and confusion due to sensory overload. It disrupts their focus, cognition, and emotional regulation, making everyday tasks seem daunting.
Sensory Issues and the Brain-Body Connection
These sensory challenges often stem from disruptions in the body-to-brain connection. The brain and body are intricately linked through sensory nerves. So, when the digestive system, muscles, or immune system falter, it sends ripples of tension and inflammation to the brain, worsening sensory issues.
Two vital pathways play a crucial role in sensory processing. The proprioceptive movement-based pathway, and the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is the number one most intricate and important sensory processing nerve in the entire body. These two sensory pathways are designed to calm, relax, and regulate the brain, which is exactly what kids with sensory issues struggle to do.
When disruptions occur in these pathways, leading to what we term subluxation, sensory issues can arise early and frequently for the child. The primary triggers for such disruptions include birth interventions such as forceps, vacuum extraction, induction, or c-section deliveries. These can cause interference to the brainstem, vagus nerve, and proprioception. These disturbances can significantly impact the child’s sensory development and overall well-being.
Parents often seek Occupational Therapy (OT) as the initial solution for addressing sensory issues. OT professionals put together plans that include exercises, integrative activities, and therapeutic tools to improve fine motor and sensory skills. Despite these efforts, movement-based therapies fail to address the deeper underlying issues. Such as subluxation, altered proprioception, and vagus nerve dysfunction originating from the brainstem, upper neck, and neurospinal system.
Sensory Issues and Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care
So, if your child is struggling with sensory meltdowns and you’ve exhausted traditional approaches without success, it’s likely that deeper neurological and vagus nerve dysfunctions need attention. This is where neurologically-focused pediatric chiropractic care steps in. A specialized form of care we provide at RCW.
In our office, we utilize INSiGHT Scans. These scans directly measure the location and severity of subluxation within your child’s nervous system. Armed with this information, we can formulate a customized care plan to address the root cause of their sensory struggles.
As we address this subluxation and neurological dysfunction over time, your child’s nervous system can better calm, relax, and regulate. This often results in better sleep, smoother transitions, fewer meltdowns, and an overall improved quality of life for your child.
By addressing the true root cause of sensory issues, we hope to offer relief and improvements that positively impact your child’s day-to-day experiences. Please reach out to RCW today! We’re here to support you every step of the way.
