Chiropractic Care for Sensory Processing Disorder in Kids
Neurologically focused chiropractic care has been gaining popularity as a drug-free option for those struggling with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and for good reason! At Lighthouse Family Chiropractic in Mount Pleasant, SC, we get asked by parents all the time how chiropractic care can help their children facing these challenges. In this article, we are going to address the most frequently asked questions about SPD as well as how chiropractic care can help your child thrive!
What is Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)?
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a condition where the brain has trouble receiving and responding to information that comes in through the senses. Children with SPD may overreact or underreact to sensory stimuli, such as sounds, textures, or lights. This can significantly impact their daily functioning and behavior, making routine activities challenging.
How Does Chiropractic Care Help with SPD?
Chiropractic care focuses on the nervous system, which plays a crucial role in sensory processing. When there is stress or interference within the nervous system, it interferes with its ability to communicate effectively. Through gentle, safe, and effective adjustments, we are able to remove this stress or interference and allow the nervous system to function optimally. This helps to improve the way the brain processes sensory information, helping to reduce the symptoms of SPD.
What Are the Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Kids with SPD?
Improved Nervous System Function: Nervous system-focused chiropractic adjustments enhance the nervous system’s ability to process sensory information, leading to better coordination and an appropriate response to stimuli.
Reduced Sensory Overload: By removing “noise” from the nervous system, neurologically focused chiropractic care can help children become less sensitive to sensory stimuli, reducing instances of sensory overload.
Better Sleep Patterns: It is very common for children with SPD to have difficulty sleeping. Sleep is one of the first changes parents typically report after their child has started care. Sleep is where healing happens! By getting good, quality sleep, we allow the nervous system and body to heal.
Behavioral Improvements: As your child’s sensory processing improves, they may exhibit fewer behavioral issues related to SPD, such as anxiety, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.
Is Chiropractic Care Safe for Children?
Chiropractic care is incredibly safe for all children. Adjustments are extremely gentle and we always make sure your children feel comfortable and safe every visit. Numerous studies have indicated that chiropractic care is safe for children when performed by a licensed and experienced chiropractor. At Lighthouse Family Chiropractic, we ensure that all treatments are age-appropriate and tailored to each child’s specific needs. A common question we get from parents with a child that has been diagnosed with SPD is, “How will you get them to sit still?” and the truth is, we don’t! It is not uncommon for us to adjust kids in the toy room, on the floor, or on the table!
What to Expect During a Chiropractic Visit
The first visit to Lighthouse Family Chiropractic involves an in-depth health consultation and examination. One of our doctors will sit down with you either in person or on the phone and will discuss your child’s medical history, current symptoms, and any previous treatments. During this consultation, you’ll notice either Dr. Devin or Dr. Liv going all the way back to your fertility journey and birth experience. We always want to make sure we have the full picture in order to get to the root cause of your child’s struggles as well as to help us determine what care plan is best for your child at that time.
At Lighthouse Family Chiropractic, we utilize the CLA INSiGHT scans to determine how much stress is stuck within your child’s nervous system. This cutting-edge technology not only tells us how much stress there is, but also where it’s located, as well as how the autonomic nervous system is functioning as a whole. These scans are entirely sensory-based with nothing entering or leaving the body (like an X-ray) and are safe for the tiniest of infants and pregnant moms.
Based on your in-depth health consultation and nervous system scans, our two-doctor team will work together to develop a personalized treatment plan. This customized care plan will include the number of visits that we believe will get your child to your goals the quickest.
Both Dr. Liv and Dr. Devin are highly trained in adjusting children, especially children with an SPD diagnosis. Their combined unique experience as well as training perfectly equip them to handle even the toughest of cases. Adjustments are gentle, safe, and effective and are adapted to meet your child where they’re at. Our doctors also make sure to thoroughly explain what they are doing to both the parents, but the children as well to ensure comfortability for all parties!
Can Chiropractic Care Help With Other Therapies for SPD?
By regulating the nervous system, chiropractic care has been reported to help improve the effectiveness of other therapies, such as PT, OT, and speech therapy. We commonly hear from other providers that children under chiropractic care get more out of their sessions and progress faster than kids who are not. The reason for this is that adjustments improve overall nervous system function.
How Do I Know if My Child Needs Chiropractic Care?
If your child is struggling with symptoms of SPD, such as hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli, difficulty with coordination, behavioral issues, or sleep disturbances, this is a sign that they have stress within their nervous system
Success Stories: Real-Life Examples
Both of our doctors have a wide range of experience helping kids with sensory processing disorders and have seen many success stories. For instance, one young practice member who struggled with severe sensory overload, and frequent meltdowns and would only wear very specific clothing items experienced significant improvements in behavior and emotional regulation. They now walk into their visits wearing something new each time, with no fight!
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon will we see results from chiropractic care?
Can chiropractic care help with other conditions besides SPD?
Conclusion
Chiropractic care offers a drug-free, natural approach to Sensory Processing Disorder and sensory challenges in children. By focusing on improving nervous system function through gentle adjustments, chiropractic care can help your child with many of the symptoms associated with SPD. If you are a parent in Mount Pleasant, SC, and are considering chiropractic care for your child, we invite you to schedule a consultation at Lighthouse Family Chiropractic. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing safe and effective care tailored to meet the unique needs of each child.
For more information or to book an appointment, please contact Lighthouse Family Chiropractic today. Let us help your child achieve better sensory processing and overall well-being through the power of chiropractic care.
