In last month’s blog, we discussed our three-brain pyramid model and how our brain develops. If you haven’t already read that blog post please check it out here. In October 2022, an article was published called ‘Improved Brain Development in 27 Children Undergoing Chiropractic Care for Correction of Vertebral Subluxation: A retrospective Analysis of Health Outcomes’ by Dr Sarah Hock and Dr Amy Spoelstra. This article describes the outcomes of subluxation based chiropractic care for children with Neuro-deflective Disorders associated with development.
What are neuro-deflective disorders?
Neuro-deflective disorders are changes in processing, engaging, learning and connecting with one’s environment inefficiently because of the stress response impacting development(1). Traditional care of children with neuro-deflective disorders consists of medication, dietary changes, behaviour and communication approached and alternative care.
Improved brain development with Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic is based on the assessment and correction of interference in the communication between the brain and the body – this is termed vertebral subluxation. A subluxation is a dysfunction in a joint where movement and physiological function is changed. These are caused by physical, emotional or chemical stressors on the body. This alters the input being sent to the brain and output to the body which changes the trajectory a child moves through their hierarchy of development. The stress response creates a fight/flight response (sympathetic dominance). A cell cannot be in both survival (sympathetic) and growth at the same time(1).
Diagnosing subluxation and improving brain development
In the article, a subluxation was determined by neurological, functional and structural assessments. The average care plan length was over a 12-month period. All children in this study had already participated in traditional therapies with minimal improvements.
The results of this study showed:
- Learning outcomes (ease with completing homework, concentration on a task, handwriting, reading, spelling, planning focus and understanding) had an improvement of 64.8%
- Intra/interpersonal skills (relationships, feelings about school, mood, anxiety emotional regulation) had an improvement of 74.12%
- Sensory Outcomes (limited food choices, sensitivity to pain and sensory sensitivity) improved by 62.6%
- General Health Outcomes (sleep, quality of life, eating habits, digestion, bowel movements and energy levels) improved by 47.92%(1).
Improving quality of life for children
Many children struggle with behavioural and learning challenges. As the results have showed above, when interference in the nervous system was removed there were improvements in each of these categories as unaltered input was delivered to the brain, processed more effectively and created more neurological integration. This allows the body to better process, engage, learn and communicate with surroundings. Children can then more effectively and efficiently move through their developmental paths and improved quality of life.
Book your child in with Carlin Chiropractic for improved brain development
If you haven’t already booked an appointment for your child to be assessed by Carlin Chiropractic, please book them in today! Our expert team are ready to assist your child with getting the best out of life! Simply fill out our contact form or call now on 08 9385 2388.
1 Hock, S., & Spoelstra, A. (2022). Improved Brain Development in 37 Children Undergoing Chiropractic Care for Correction of Vertebral Subluxation: A Retrospective Analysis of Health Outcomes. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health Chiropractic, 2022, 86-94.
2 Morningstar, M. W., Pettibon, B. R., Schlappi, H., Schlappi, M., & Ireland, T. V. (2005). Reflex control of the spine and posture: A review of the literature from a chiropractic perspective. Chiropractic & Osteopathy, 13(1). doi:10.1186/1746-1340-13-16
3 Gustafson C. (2017) Bruce Lipton, PhD: The Jump from Cell Culture to Consciousness. Integrative Medicine (Encinitas, Calif.), 16(6), 44-50.
