Understanding Sensory Challenges in Kids and Chiropractic Solutions

Lately, I've been working with several children whose parents have expressed concerns about emerging sensory challenges. These challenges can manifest uniquely in each child, making it crucial to understand their individual experiences. To illustrate this concept to parents, I often use the analogy of a bucket.

Imagine your body as a bucket, and stressors as drops of water filling up the bucket. Just like a bucket can only hold a certain amount of water before overflowing, our bodies can only handle a certain level of stress before experiencing symptoms or challenges. Some kiddos start life off with water already in their bucket (womb imprinting, genetics, birth trauma). While we can’t take all of the “water” away,  chiropractic care can help to “create a bigger bucket" - ie- help the nervous system adapt to stress. 

Let’s dive into a real-life example. One of my long-term patients began experiencing heightened sensory challenges and emotional symptoms, making it difficult for her to regulate and function normally. Despite consistent chiropractic adjustments every other week, her nervous system evaluation revealed significant dysregulation and inflammation in key spinal areas.

Explaining the situation to her parents, I likened the body's response to stress to a bucket analogy that I mentioned above—just as a bucket can only hold so much water before overflowing, our bodies can only handle a certain level of stress before symptoms emerge.

Stress, whether physical or emotional, is a natural part of life. It's what drives growth and adaptation. However, when stress surpasses the body's ability to cope, it can lead to dysregulation and symptoms like those experienced by my patient.

We increased the frequency of chiropractic adjustments to provide her nervous system with the support it needed to manage the stressors impacting her daily life. These stressors could stem from various sources, such as allergens in the air or growth spurts, adding to the normal challenges of life.

While it's essential to minimize stress where possible, we also recognize that we can't live in a bubble. Instead, we focus on strategies that help our nervous systems process life's challenges more effectively. For my patient, this meant adjusting her care plan to meet her body's evolving needs, providing a boost when stress levels peaked.

This experience underscores the importance of personalized care in addressing sensory challenges and stress-induced symptoms. By understanding each patient's unique response to stress and adapting treatment accordingly, we can support their nervous systems in achieving optimal regulation and well-being.

To explore how chiropractic care can support your nervous system and address neurodivergence, schedule a free 20-minute phone consultation with us throughout the month of April. While a phone consult can provide valuable insights, please note that a proper diagnosis and prognosis require an in-office evaluation. Take the first step toward holistic wellness by booking your consultation today!

https://peapodfamilychiro.janeapp.com/ (select New Patient Phone Consult)