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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 Nervous System Repair Must Come Before Regulation

Family Wellness

Before investing in another ashwagandha supplement, booking a wellness retreat to Sedona, or purchasing an infrared sauna for your home, there’s something crucial you need to understand about your family’s nervous system.

The conversation around nervous system “regulation” has exploded recently, and that’s genuinely wonderful news. Providers, parents, and experts everywhere are finally talking about ways to support and “hack” your nervous system. But here’s what most people don’t realize: like most hacks, these approaches only scratch the surface. They rarely dive deep enough to truly HEAL and REPAIR the nervous systems of the families who need help most desperately.

Please don’t misunderstand. We’re huge advocates of nervous system regulation practices, functional medicine, targeted supplementation, detox protocols, diet modifications, and thoughtful fitness programs. These approaches have tremendous value. But here’s what we hear from parents almost daily: “I’ve tried everything, and none of it seems to be working.”

The brain fog persists. The anxiety remains. The exhaustion won’t lift. And for your children, the sleep struggles continue, sensory challenges intensify, and behavioral issues seem stuck in an endless, frustrating loop.

The Truth Most Parents Haven’t Heard

Here’s what most parents and even many healthcare providers don’t yet realize: you can’t regulate a nervous system that needs to be repaired first.

Until we address the foundational problems at their root, everything else becomes just another surface-level band-aid that eventually peels off without delivering lasting results.

You’re Not Alone in This Struggle

Let’s look at some eye-opening statistics. Depending on which research you examine, between 60 to 75% of US adults are living with at least one chronic illness. The numbers for children aren’t much better, with 40% to over 50% facing chronic health challenges according to various studies.

Whether we’re discussing chronic digestive issues, autoimmune conditions, or neurodevelopmental challenges like autism, the rates of nearly every condition have exploded in just a couple of generations.

This means we can’t simply blame genetics or attribute it to better diagnostic tools. Instead, we must acknowledge the real culprit: a chronically stressful, chaotic, toxic, and overmedicalized environment and lifestyle that’s impacting our families from day one.

We witness this pattern every single week in clinical practice. Parents arrive after trying everything imaginable. They’ve consulted multiple specialists. They’ve invested thousands in every therapy, protocol, and program available. They see temporary improvements—maybe a few good weeks—but then everything resets. The anxiety returns. The digestive issues flare up again. The developmental progress stalls.

It’s not that these approaches don’t work. The problem simply runs deeper than surface-level interventions can reach.

Understanding the Critical Difference: Repair vs. Regulation

Nervous System Repair

Nervous system repair addresses the actual dysfunction within the nervous system itself. The interference and disruption caused by past trauma and accumulated stress that leads to something called subluxation and nervous system dysfunction.

Think of it like repairing faulty wiring in your home’s electrical system. No matter how many high-end appliances, 4K TVs, or premium sound systems you try to plug in to make your house more awesome, they’ll just overload the system further until everything breaks down. The problem isn’t with the equipment you’re trying to add. It’s with the foundational power supply that needs to be repaired.

Nervous System Regulation

Nervous system regulation includes practices that help an already-intact nervous system shift into calmer, more balanced states. This encompasses breathing exercises, yoga, meditation, cold therapy, supplements, and various wellness practices.

The Critical Distinction

Here’s what you need to remember: repair is fixing the engine; regulation is learning how to drive it smoothly. You can take all the driving lessons in the world, but if the engine itself is broken, you’re not going anywhere.

The Body Keeps the Score—And It’s Stored Deeper Than You Think

According to the groundbreaking book “The Body Keeps the Score,” trauma isn’t just processed and filed away in our minds. It’s stored in the actual tissues, structures, and nervous system of the body, often far below our conscious awareness.

This entire system is known as the Somatic or NeuroSpinal System. This is why you feel all sorts of stress. Whether from physical exertion, environmental toxins and chemicals, or long, stressful, and emotional days. The stress fully lodges in your neck, between your shoulder blades, in your low back, and other parts of your body.

When your body encounters overwhelming stress or trauma, it goes into protection mode. This response is brilliant for survival in the moment, but that protective state can become locked in, creating patterns of dysfunction that persist long after the initial threat has passed.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: you simply can’t talk your way out of trauma that’s stored in your neurospinal system, brainstem, and vagus nerve. Similarly, you can’t breathe away physical subluxation patterns that have been locked into your nervous system since birth trauma or early childhood stress.

There’s a fundamental principle in neuroscience that every parent should understand: you can’t be in growth and protection at the same time. When your nervous system is stuck in that sympathetic-dominant, survival-oriented state, all the meditation and supplements in the world won’t create the lasting change you’re desperately seeking.

The Perfect Storm That Requires Deep Repair

While we all know modern life is incredibly stressful for us as adults. What most parents and providers don’t yet realize is how early the stress, toxicity, and medicalization of our current lifestyle begins. Even for our children. We call this “The Perfect Storm”. 

Most children today experience a series of stressors that create cascading neurological dysfunction:

Prenatal Stress: When mothers experience high anxiety or take certain medications during pregnancy, it affects the developing nervous system of their baby.

Birth Interventions: C-sections (now occurring in 1 in 3 births), forceps delivery, vacuum extraction, or induction place profound physical strain on an infant’s delicate brainstem and upper neck.

Early Childhood Stressors: Colic, reflux, and constipation aren’t just normal infant struggles. They’re early warning signs of nervous system dysfunction that too often get dismissed or only treated symptomatically.

The Antibiotic Cascade: When these issues lead to frequent ear infections and repeated rounds of antibiotics, the damage deepens. Research shows that repeated antibiotic use in children under age 2 significantly increases their likelihood of struggling with allergies, asthma, and gut issues later in life.

The level of stress and trauma most children experience locks the neurospinal system into such a deeply stuck state that surface-level interventions simply can’t penetrate through to create meaningful change. It’s not that other approaches are wrong—the dysfunction is just too severe and too deeply embedded for them to address on their own.

Why Your Regulation Tools Keep Failing

When subluxation creates constant interference in the system, and the vagus nerve is dysfunctional due to early trauma, regulation tools are like trying to change the thermostat when the furnace itself is broken.

What are the clinical signs that repair must come first?

  • Therapies and interventions don’t stick or provide lasting results
  • Gut health protocols work temporarily, then plateau
  • Constant relapses after periods of improvement
  • High reactivity to small triggers
  • Quickly resetting back to a stressed state, even after calming activities

What Changes When the System Is Repaired?

Once the system is repaired and in a “ready state,” something remarkable happens:

  • Breathwork becomes significantly more effective
  • Supplements are better absorbed and utilized by the body
  • Dietary changes create more significant, lasting impacts
  • The body’s innate healing capacity can finally activate and do what it was designed to do

Your Family Deserves More Than Surface-Level Solutions

At RCW, we understand that nervous system repair opens the door for all those regulation tools to finally work as intended. Your family doesn’t need more health hacks or another stack of supplements. You need the right foundation.

We practice specialized Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care and can measure and restore nervous system function using advanced scanning technology and gentle, effective adjustments. This approach helps release years of built-up stress and tension so your child’s body—or your own—can finally shift from protection mode to healing mode.

So, if you’re exhausted from trying intervention after intervention without lasting results, please reach out to RCW today!

Your family’s healing journey doesn’t have to feel this hard. Sometimes, you just need to start at the right place—the foundation.

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The Truth About Stress During Pregnancy

Prenatal

You’re exhausted. You’re worried. And now someone’s telling you to “just relax” for your baby’s sake—as if you haven’t tried that already.

Between the nausea, the fear, the financial pressure, and everyone’s unsolicited advice, you’re barely holding it together. And honestly? The guilt associated with being stressed may feel worse than the stress itself.

You know something about this chronic stress isn’t right, but no one’s explaining what’s really happening inside your body—or inside your baby’s developing brain.

Here’s what most doctors won’t tell you: that umbilical cord isn’t just delivering nutrients and oxygen. It’s creating a connection between your nervous system and your baby’s developing nervous system. When you’re stuck in stress mode, your baby’s nervous system learns that this stressed state is “normal” during the most critical window of brain development.

This isn’t about blaming you. This is about understanding fetal programming—how what you’re experiencing right now is creating lasting patterns in your baby’s nervous system that can affect their health trajectory for years. And more importantly, what you can actually do about it.

Your Nervous System Is Teaching Your Baby’s Nervous System

The umbilical cord is so much more than a nutrient delivery system. It’s the electrical connection between your nervous system and your baby’s. When stress hormones like cortisol stay elevated in your body, they cross the placenta and flood your baby’s developing brain.

Your baby’s nervous system is being programmed right now. If you’re stuck in sympathetic dominance—that constant “fight-or-flight” mode—your baby’s nervous system learns this as baseline normal.

Think of the nervous system as the air traffic controller for every other system in the body. If the air traffic controller is stuck in panic mode, everything else malfunctions.

Research published in Development and Psychopathology found that infants of mothers with the highest stress levels showed 22% higher stress reactivity. These babies were more easily upset, harder to soothe, and showed poorer recovery from stress. That pattern was established during pregnancy, before they ever took their first breath.

Fetal Programming Creates Lifelong Patterns

Fetal programming means permanent changes. During pregnancy, your baby’s amygdala (the fear center of the brain) develops larger and more reactive when exposed to chronic stress. The HPA axis—your baby’s stress response system—gets programmed with a hair-trigger baseline.

Think of it like building a house on a cracked foundation. You can’t remodel a house on a cracked foundation and expect it to be stable. Your baby’s nervous system foundation is being built right now, and chronic stress creates cracks in that foundation before they’re even born.

The vagus nerve, the main nerve of the parasympathetic system, develops its tone during pregnancy. Poor vagal tone from prenatal stress can affect digestion, heart rate, inflammation, immune function, social engagement, and emotional regulation for years to come.

Children whose mothers experienced chronic stress during pregnancy have higher rates of ADHD, anxiety, Sensory Processing Disorder, and even physical health issues like asthma and allergies. This isn’t bad luck or a coincidence. It’s fetal programming.

Understanding the “Perfect Storm”

For many families, the “Perfect Storm” begins before pregnancy even starts. Fertility struggles. Multiple rounds of IVF. Months or years of emotional weight, hormonal medications, financial strain, and relationship stress. By the time pregnancy finally happens, the nervous system is already depleted.

Then pregnancy adds its own layer of stressors: physical discomfort, fear about the baby’s health, anxiety about labor, financial pressure, work stress, and relationship challenges. Your baby is developing in this environment.

Here’s the hard truth: they don’t grow out of it. They grow into other challenges.

Colic at two months becomes chronic constipation at six months. Constipation becomes sensory sensitivity at 18 months. Sensory issues become ADHD signs at age five. ADHD becomes anxiety by age ten. The nervous system dysfunction that began during fetal programming manifests differently as the brain develops through various stages.

You Can Help Your Nervous System Regulate—Starting Now

Here’s what you need to hear: You can’t eliminate every stressor. That’s impossible, and it’s not your responsibility to somehow create a stress-free existence while growing a human being.

However, you can help your nervous system shift from sympathetic dominance to parasympathetic function, creating a calm, regulated internal environment that supports healthy fetal development.

How Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care Can Help

Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care works at the foundational level. Gentle, specific adjustments help release the “parking brake” on your nervous system, allowing it to shift out of survival mode and into a state of regulation.

Advanced technology like INSiGHT scans provides objective data about your nervous system function:

  • Heart Rate Variability (HRV) measures the balance between your sympathetic and parasympathetic systems
  • Surface Electromyography (sEMG) shows where your nervous system is holding tension
  • NeuroThermal scans detect areas of dysregulation

These scans track improvements in your nervous system function—often before you even notice symptom changes.

When you’re regulated, your baby learns regulation. This is your window of opportunity. Pregnancy is when the foundation gets built. What you do now affects not only your pregnancy experience but also your child’s lifelong health trajectory.

A Real Story: Catherine’s Fifth Pregnancy

Let me tell you about Catherine. This was her fifth pregnancy, but only her second under Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care.

Her previous pregnancies without care were filled with unrelenting heartburn, sciatic pain, crushing fatigue, and overwhelming stress.

This time? She got adjusted 2-3 times a week throughout her pregnancy. Even though this was the oldest she’d ever been during pregnancy, she felt the best out of any of them. Her nervous system stayed regulated. Her symptoms were minimal. She had the energy to keep up with her other kids. She slept great. Her heartburn was manageable.

The neurological scans lined up exactly with what she was feeling. Her adjustments were tailored to what her body was showing. And just weeks away from baby number five, Catherine said this was the most confident she’d ever felt heading into labor and delivery. She knew her body was ready because she’d kept her nervous system regulated throughout the entire pregnancy.

You Have More Control Than You Think

At Rochester Chiropractic and Wellness, we understand that your baby’s nervous system is developing right now. Your nervous system teaches your baby’s nervous system. The intervention you pursue now—addressing nervous system dysregulation at the root cause level—affects your child’s health trajectory for years to come – and we want to help!

You have more control than you think. Not by somehow eliminating all stress from your life (impossible), but by helping your body regulate despite it. So do not hesitate to reach out to us today to schedule a consultation. 

You deserve to feel supported. So if you are not local to us, check out the PX Docs directory to find an office near you. Your baby deserves a calm, regulated foundation. And it’s not too late to start creating that environment right now.

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Why Your Whole Family Needs Nervous System Support (Not Just Your Kids)

Family Wellness

Picture this: It’s Thanksgiving dinner. Your kids are having complete meltdowns, grandma’s anxiety is through the roof, dad’s jaw is clenched from work stress, and you’re trying to hold everything together while your eye won’t stop twitching. Sound familiar?

Here’s what you need to know: This isn’t just holiday chaos—this is your family’s nervous systems playing tug-of-war with each other.

The Truth About Stress No One’s Talking About

Stress is contagious. And I don’t mean that metaphorically—I mean neurologically, scientifically, measurably contagious.

When one family member’s nervous system gets stuck in fight-or-flight mode, it creates a ripple effect that impacts everyone in the house. Your baby picks up on dad’s work tension. Your toddler mirrors your overwhelm. Even the dog starts acting differently when the family stress peaks.

We keep trying to fix individual problems—anxiety medication for mom, sleep training for baby, behavior charts for the five-year-old. But we’re missing the bigger picture. You can’t heal in isolation when you’re neurologically wired to co-regulate with the people you live with.

What the Research Really Shows

Research reveals that up to 15% of infants experience regulation difficulties in their first year. However, what that statistic doesn’t capture is that those babies are usually born into families where their parents are already dysregulated.

The data gets even more compelling. When mothers experience chronic stress during pregnancy, their cortisol levels can directly program their baby’s developing nervous system. That baby grows up with a nervous system pre-wired for stress. They become anxious kids, then stressed adults, who have babies of their own.

The cycle continues.

During the holidays, when three or four generations gather, you’re not just sharing turkey—you’re sharing nervous system patterns that have been passed down like family recipes.

Understanding Co-Regulation: Your Family’s Invisible Connection

Your nervous system doesn’t operate in isolation. It constantly reads and responds to the nervous systems around you through a process called co-regulation.

Think of it like this: just as an air traffic controller coordinates multiple planes, your nervous system is trying to coordinate with every other nervous system in your home.

Kids are especially tuned into their parents’ nervous system states. They detect stress through your tone, your touch, and even your heartbeat from across the room. When dad comes home stressed from work, the entire family’s nervous systems shift toward sympathetic dominance—fight or flight mode—within minutes.

Studies using Heart Rate Variability (HRV) measurements show that the stress patterns of family members often synchronize, creating either a cycle of calm or a storm of chaos.

Why Treating Just One Person Doesn’t Work

Here’s the hard truth: caring for your anxiety while your partner stays dysregulated is like trying to remodel a house on a cracked foundation. You’re building on an unstable base.

Sending your child to therapy while the home environment stays stressed? That’s like pushing a car with the parking brake on. Progress will be slow and frustrating.

The “Perfect Storm” isn’t individual—it’s environmental, generational, and collective, affecting everyone under the same roof.

When one family member gets adjusted or receives care while everyone else remains dysregulated, it’s like having one instrument tuned in an orchestra where every other instrument is off-key. The discord remains.

The Holiday Amplifier Effect

Ever wonder why family gatherings feel so exhausting? It’s not just the cooking and cleaning.

Holiday gatherings amplify nervous system dysregulation because multiple stressed systems converge in one space. Grandparents bring their lifetime of patterns, you bring work stress and parenting overwhelm, and your kids absorb it all—creating a perfect storm of nervous system chaos.

This explains:

  • Why kids “act out” more during holidays
  • Why you feel completely drained after family time
  • Why everyone seems to get sick after big gatherings

It’s not the tryptophan making you tired—it’s nervous system overload from trying to regulate with multiple dysregulated people. Your nervous system can only handle so much input before it trips like an overloaded circuit breaker, leaving everyone feeling fried.

The Path Forward: Healing Together

Here’s the empowering truth: when you understand how your family’s nervous systems are connected, you can actually do something about it.

When families receive neurologically-focused care together, their HRV patterns begin to synchronize in healthy, balanced ways. You create what we call a “regulation field” where everyone’s nervous system supports rather than stresses the others. Just like that umbilical cord that connected you and your baby, your family stays neurologically connected—and healing happens best when you heal together.

What You Can Do Right Now

Start by acknowledging the connections. Notice how your stress shows up in your kids. Pay attention to how one person’s bad day affects the mood of everyone else. You’re not imagining it—these patterns are neurologically real.

When you prioritize whole-family nervous system support, you’re not just helping your child with their sleep issues or anxiety. You’re rewiring your entire family’s capacity for calm, connection, and resilience. You’re breaking generational patterns and giving your children a different neurological foundation than you inherited.

Your family deserves better than survival mode. So don’t wait to reach out to Rochester Chiropractic and Wellness today to schedule a consultation!

Now that you understand how deeply you’re all connected, you can take charge and create real, lasting change—together.

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The Missing Piece to Helping Your Child’s Chronic Illnesses

Pediatric Chiropractic

As a parent, you want nothing more than to see your child thrive. You’ve probably spent countless nights worrying when they struggle with sleep, meltdowns, focus issues, or mysterious health problems that seem to have no clear cause. You’ve likely tried everything your pediatrician suggested, maybe even worked with specialists, yet somehow you still feel like you’re missing a crucial piece of the puzzle.

What if we told you that the key to unlocking your child’s full potential might be hiding in plain sight within their own body? The secret lies in something called nervous system regulation—and understanding it could transform your approach to your child’s health and well-being.

Jake’s Story: From Explosive Meltdowns to National Champion

Let usshare Jake’s story with you. When Jake turned 2.5, his parents watched their sweet, smiling little boy transform. Suddenly, he began experiencing intense tantrums, crying spells, and explosive angry reactions that seemed to come from nowhere. When triggered, his anger would escalate quickly—yelling, stomping, calling himself “stupid,” and sometimes even hitting himself.

His parents felt helpless. With every outburst, they grew more desperate. They had conversations with pediatricians, attended weekly therapy sessions, sat through countless school meetings with teachers and social workers, navigated 504 plan discussions—all while longing for peace for Jake and hoping to bring calmness back to their family.

After an especially explosive event at a martial arts competition, Jake’s family knew they needed a completely different approach. They had heard about neurologically-focused chiropractic care from a friend and decided to take a chance.

The transformation didn’t happen overnight, but with consistency and time to help rewire and regulate Jake’s nervous system, they began to see remarkable changes. After about 3-4 months, Jake’s mom noticed he appeared calmer. He began using his words to express his feelings instead of reacting explosively. He was less anxious, less combative, and less intense overall.

But here’s the most incredible part: Jake went on to compete in the AAU National Karate Tournament, where he took home two gold medals—becoming a National Champion in two events! The same child who once struggled with explosive anger had learned to channel his energy and emotions in a completely different way.

Understanding Your Child’s Nervous System: The Foundation of Health

So what exactly happened with Jake? To understand this transformation, you need to know about nervous system regulation—something that affects every aspect of your child’s health but is often overlooked in traditional healthcare approaches.

What Is Nervous System Regulation?

Think of your child’s nervous system as the master control center for their entire body. It helps keep everything balanced and stable, ensuring that every bodily system can communicate effectively and work in harmony. This state of balance is called homeostasis.

When your child’s nervous system is properly regulated, everything functions optimally:

  • Basic functions like sleeping, eating, and digestion work smoothly
  • Advanced functions like controlling inflammation and managing immune responses operate effectively
  • Mental, emotional, and cognitive health remain stable and resilient

When Things Go Wrong: The Signs of Dysregulation

When your child’s nervous system becomes overly stressed and imbalanced, it enters a state called nervous system dysregulation. This can manifest in many different ways, often starting with disruptions to basic health functions.

Early warning signs you might notice:

  • Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
  • Digestive issues or irregular eating patterns
  • Mood swings or emotional instability
  • Low energy or hyperactivity
  • Trouble with emotional regulation

If you’re seeing these challenges in your child, they’re not character flaws or behavioral problems—they’re signs that your child’s nervous system needs support.

The Autonomic Nervous System: Your Child’s Internal Thermostat

The key to understanding nervous system regulation lies in something called the autonomic nervous system. This system controls and coordinates all the major functions of your child’s body, managing trillions of cells almost entirely on “autopilot.”

The autonomic nervous system has two main branches:

The Sympathetic System (“Fight or Flight”): This kicks in during times of stress, danger, or high activity. It’s designed to help your child respond to challenges, but it’s not meant to be constantly activated.

The Parasympathetic System (“Rest, Relax, and Regulate”): This is where the magic happens. When this system is active, your child’s body can rest, repair, restore, and regulate itself.

The Vagus Nerve: This crucial nerve is primarily responsible for activating the “rest and regulate” response. If your child has any damage or dysfunction in their vagus nerve, their nervous system will struggle to find balance and regulation.

The Perfect Storm: How Dysregulation Develops

Nervous system dysregulation doesn’t happen overnight—it often develops through what experts call “The Perfect Storm” of stressors and challenges.

In infancy, this might look like:

  • Difficulty nursing and eating
  • Trouble soothing and sleeping
  • Being colicky and fussy
  • Acid reflux or constipation
  • Skin issues like eczema

As children grow, you might see:

  • Chronic ear infections
  • Respiratory and immune system struggles
  • Difficulties with motor planning and developmental milestones
  • Challenges reaching age-appropriate developmental markers

Eventually, a dysregulated nervous system can manifest as:

  • Big emotions and frequent meltdowns
  • Attention and focus challenges
  • Sensory processing difficulties
  • Behaviors that look like ADHD or autism spectrum characteristics

Factors That Can Contribute to Dysregulation

Understanding what can contribute to nervous system dysregulation empowers you to be more aware and proactive about your child’s health:

  • Birth-related stress: Difficult pregnancies, birth interventions, or traumatic birth experiences
  • Environmental toxins: Exposure to chemicals, pollutants, or other harmful substances
  • Physical trauma: Falls, accidents, or even repetitive strain from things like heavy backpacks
  • Emotional stress: Family changes, school pressure, or social challenges
  • Poor nutrition: Diets high in processed foods or lacking essential nutrients
  • Lack of movement: Sedentary lifestyles that don’t support healthy nervous system development

Taking Action: What You Can Do as a Parent

The good news is that nervous system dysregulation isn’t permanent. Your child’s nervous system has an incredible capacity for healing and adaptation when given the right support.

This is where neurologically-focused chiropractic care comes in, and this is what Rochester Chiropractic and Wellness does best. Like what helped Jake, we use advanced scanning technology, INSiGHT Scans, to identify areas of nervous system stress and then gentle adjusting techniques to help restore balance.

This approach doesn’t rely on medications or invasive procedures. Instead, it works with your child’s natural healing capacity to help their nervous system return to a state of regulation and optimal function.

Your Child’s Potential Is Waiting

Imagine a world where your child can face life’s challenges with resilience, focus with ease, and truly thrive. That’s the power of a well-regulated nervous system. Your child doesn’t have to struggle with ongoing health issues, behavioral challenges, or developmental delays.

You don’t have to wait for problems to worsen or accept that “this is just how your child is.” Nervous system regulation can be supported and optimized at any stage of your child’s development, so don’t wait to call RCW today!

You have more power than you might realize to influence your child’s health and well-being. By understanding nervous system regulation and taking proactive steps to support it, you’re giving your child one of the greatest gifts possible: the foundation for lifelong health, resilience, and success.

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Do Infants Grow Out of Colic?

Pediatric Chiropractic

What do fussy babies and kids with ADHD have in common? The answer might surprise you—and empower you to take action.

If you’re a parent dealing with a colicky baby, you’ve probably heard these words from well-meaning healthcare providers: “Don’t worry, they’ll grow out of it.” But here’s what no one is telling you—babies don’t just grow out of colic. They grow into other challenges.

The endless crying, the back arching, the sleepless nights that leave you questioning everything you’re doing as a parent—these aren’t just difficult phases that magically disappear. They’re your baby’s way of communicating that something deeper is happening in their nervous system.

The Truth About What Happens After Colic

Every week, parents walk into healthcare offices with seven-year-olds struggling with sensory issues, ADHD, or anxiety. When practitioners dig into these children’s histories, there it is—they were colicky babies. The same stress that caused endless crying at three months old is now causing meltdowns at seven years old. The labels changed, but the underlying problem never left.

You’re not imagining the connection, and you’re certainly not failing as a parent.

Why Everything You’ve Tried Hasn’t Worked

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve already tried everything—eliminating dairy from your diet if you’re breastfeeding, keeping detailed food journals, trying every colic drop and remedy on the market, adjusting feeding schedules, and following countless pieces of advice from family, friends, and online forums.

You’re exhausted, overwhelmed, and probably wondering what you’re doing wrong. Here’s the truth: You’re not doing anything wrong. You’re just missing the most important piece of the puzzle.

The Real Root Cause Goes Deeper Than Digestion

Most people think colic is purely a digestive issue—gas, indigestion, food sensitivities. While these symptoms are real and distressing, they’re only part of the story. The digestive system is completely controlled by the nervous system.

Think of your baby’s nervous system as their internal air traffic controller. This system coordinates every function in their tiny body. When that controller gets stressed and overwhelmed, everything starts backing up—digestion, sleep, emotional regulation, and development.

The vagus nerve, often called the “master nerve,” travels from the brainstem all the way down through the neck, controlling the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. When birth trauma or stress affects this nerve, digestion literally gets stuck.

This is why we need to change how we think about colic. Instead of seeing it as a mysterious condition your baby will “grow out of,” understand it for what it really is: STUCK.

  • Baby gets stuck in the birth canal during delivery
  • Stress gets stuck in their nervous system
  • Digestion gets stuck
  • Your baby stays stuck in distress

The Hidden Trigger No One Discusses: Birth Trauma

Here’s a pattern that’s impossible to ignore: nearly all colicky babies have experienced some form of birth intervention—C-sections, forceps delivery, vacuum extraction, or labor induction. These interventions, while sometimes medically necessary, create physical stress on the upper neck area where crucial nerves originate.

But the stress often begins even before birth. The umbilical cord acts like a direct connection, transferring your stress during pregnancy to your baby’s developing nervous system. If you experienced anxiety, physical discomfort, or stress during pregnancy, your baby’s nervous system was already on high alert before they even arrived.

The physical tension from birth gets stuck in two key places: the upper neck area and the middle back. This explains why colicky babies arch their backs and stiffen their necks—they’re literally trying to stretch out the tension, just like you might do after sitting at a desk all day.

Your baby is communicating through their body language that the problem isn’t in their stomach—it’s in their spine and nervous system.

The Progression Every Parent Should Know About

Here’s the timeline that plays out for countless families when the underlying nervous system stress isn’t addressed:

  • Colic (0-6 months): Crying, digestive issues, sleep problems
  • Chronic ear infections (6-18 months): Repeated infections requiring antibiotics
  • Speech delays (18-36 months): Late talking or unclear speech
  • Sensory processing issues (3-5 years): Over-sensitivity to sounds, textures, or environments
  • ADHD/anxiety (5-10 years): Difficulty focusing, emotional dysregulation

Each stage involves the same stuck stress pattern affecting your child’s nervous system—it just shows up differently as they grow and develop. The colic didn’t disappear; it transformed into new challenges.

Making matters worse, all those antibiotics prescribed for recurring ear infections can disrupt gut health, while other medications may increase nervous system stress. Now you have a child heading toward emotional and behavioral challenges, and traditional therapies may feel like pushing a car with the parking brake still on.

What Your Baby’s Body Language Is Telling You

When your baby cries inconsolably and arches their back, they’re not just expressing discomfort—they’re giving you valuable information. That back arching isn’t about gas or reflux; it’s your baby’s instinctive attempt to release tension in their nervous system.

Just as you might stretch your neck and back after a stressful day, your baby is trying to relieve the physical tension stored in their spine and nervous system from their birth experience.

Understanding that colic isn’t something you have to just “wait out” is the first step to helping your child heal and thrive. Your baby isn’t broken, defective, or unusually difficult—they’re stuck in a stress pattern that can be addressed.

The earlier you address nervous system stress, the faster children heal. This is because of neuroplasticity—the brain’s amazing ability to form new connections and patterns, especially in infancy and early childhood.

Taking Action: What Parents Can Do

Trust your instincts. You know your baby better than anyone. If something feels off, don’t let anyone dismiss your concerns with “they’ll grow out of it.”

Look for practitioners who understand the nervous system connection. Seek providers who look at the whole child, not just individual symptoms. Ask about their approach to addressing nervous system stress and birth trauma.

Consider the birth experience. Reflect on your pregnancy and birth experience. Were there interventions? Stress during pregnancy? Extended labor? This information can provide valuable clues.

Think beyond quick fixes. While symptom management has its place, focus on finding practitioners who want to address root causes rather than just managing symptoms.

Document patterns. Keep track of when your baby is most distressed, what seems to help, and any family history of similar challenges. This information can be valuable for healthcare providers.

Your Child Deserves More Than Labels and Management

Your baby doesn’t need more labels, more medications to manage symptoms, or parents who feel helpless and exhausted. They need their nervous system to shift from a stressed, stuck state to a balanced, thriving state.

When that stuck tension from birth gets addressed properly, families often see remarkable transformations. Babies who once cried constantly become content and happy. Sleep improves. Digestion settles. The whole family dynamic can shift.

The Bottom Line for Parents

You are not failing, you are not overreacting, you are not “just anxious new parents.” You are advocates for your child, and your instincts matter.

Your child isn’t broken—they’re stuck. And with the right approach, they can get unstuck. At Rochester Chiropractic and Wellness, we understand that colic is often a nervous system issue masquerading as a digestive problem, and we know how to address it appropriately. Hope, answers, and help are available, and we want to provide that for you, so don’t hesitate to give us a call today!

The earlier you take action to support your baby’s nervous system health, the better their outcomes will be—not just for colic, but for their overall development, learning, behavior, and emotional regulation as they grow.