Is your child hypersensitive to certain sounds, textures, or lights that other kids don’t seem to be bothered by? Do they have “big emotions” that result in frequent meltdowns over transitions, wearing certain clothes, or eating food?

Or maybe your child seems to be on the opposite spectrum? They gravitate towards thrill-seeking behaviors and extra physical stimuli, and have a high pain threshold and difficulty picking up on social cues.

While some people may chalk these things up to a “difficult child”, a “tired child”, or a “hungry child” we know these challenges likely stem from dysfunction in the nervous system because everything we see, hear, smell, touch, and feel sends input to our brain 🧠. And if there’s a roadblock in communication between the information our senses take in and our brain, guess what the result is? Sensory integration challenges that interfere with everyday life.

If you’re ready to calm your child’s “sensory storm” and help them thrive at home, in the classroom, and with peers you’re in the right place. Read on to learn more about Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), causes, and how to BEST HELP your child heal from the inside-out.

What is Sensory Processing Disorder? (SPD)

SPD is a condition in which the brain has trouble receiving and responding to information that comes in through the five senses. This can affect how kids behave and react to their environment, perform motor functions, and go about day-to-day activities. Some kids are overstimulated while others may be under-stimulated.

Curious if your child may have SPD? See the following article for a full list of common SPD symptoms and how to test for it.

What Causes Sensory Processing Disorder?

At it's core, SPD stems from dysfunction in the NERVOUS SYSTEM, which is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves that communicate to all the cells, organs and muscles in the body. Nervous system scans of kids who struggle with SPD show subluxation (nerve interference) in the spine which prevents the brain from properly perceiving and responding to environmental stimuli. It's like a "neurological traffic jam" that prevents sensory information from being processed and sent to where it needs to go.

In the image above you can see numerous points of subluxation along the child’s spine through the red, blue, and green bars. Red bars indicate significant nerve interference at those vertebral levels, which impairs communication between a child’s body and brain.

To learn more about what life experiences or circumstances may cause this type of subluxation and sensory issues in children, click here.

Root Cause Healing for SPD

Traditional types of interventions like sensory integration therapy, occupational therapy, and a “sensory diet” can help kids with SPD regulate their sensory responses and behavior, BUT they don’t address the ROOT CAUSE of those challenges – an impaired neurological messaging system between the brain and body.

Because SPD is the result of dysfunction within the nervous system, it requires a neurological intervention to heal instead of symptom or behavior management (what most traditional therapies offer).

While some kids see improvements managing behaviors of sensory processing challenges, we believe (and have seen firsthand) the incredible power of the body to HEAL ITSELF when nerve interference ⚡️ is removed through neurologically-based chiropractic care.

Neurologically-based chiropractic care gently restores a sense of calm and balance 😇 to the autonomic nervous system and repairs communication pathways between the brain and body so kids can properly perceive, coordinate and adapt to their environment without emotional outbursts, meltdowns, or sensory-seeking behaviors.

If sensory challenges are disrupting your family, get their nervous system checked! Give us a call or schedule an appointment online to get to the root cause your child’s sensory concerns.

Story of Healing: Lincoln

When we first met Lincoln he presented with significant sensory issues that made it difficult for his family to do normal things and go places together. One of his biggest struggles was that he could not tolerate the feeling of water or anything "slimy" on his hands 🖐. He was only able to play with solid items like blocks because of this sensory concern.

Lincoln also displayed some mild behavioral issues like having difficulty with schedule changes, going new places, and interacting with new people. When he first started at Restore, he kept himself buried into his mom and didn’t interact with the team.

In addition to those sensory challenges, he was unable to have bowel movements 💩without the use of medications.

🎉After only 1 WEEK, Lincoln was having regular bowel movements WITHOUT the use of medications! As he continued to get adjusted, he has not only been able to wash his hands, but he has come to LOVE finger painting! He was never able to touch paint with his fingers before and his sensory therapist even noted that she’s never seen change like this so quickly in a child.

Now, Lincoln asks his mom when he gets to come in for an adjustment, runs into our office and chats with our team! His mom says that the only thing she wishes they would have done differently is to try chiropractic sooner. It has made schedule changes, transitions and numerous other things so much easier for their family.

💖We want to help your child have the BEST quality of life possible. You don’t have to let your child’s sensory struggles keep them and your family from living life to the full anymore. Book your appointment today to help restore their nervous system so they can adapt to their environment and better regulate their emotions.