The Perfect Storm
The Perfect Storm
Within the last few generations, there has been an increase in chronic illness that has taken over our kiddos.
Conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, autism, and sensory processing disorders seem to be more commonly diagnosed than ever before. At the same time, parents nowadays are looking for solutions other than medication. Let’s take a look at what we call “The Perfect Storm” which has been impacting kids’ health and well-being for years and years.
What is “The Perfect Storm”?
The term “Perfect Storm” refers to all the external environmental factors that drive the increase in chronic illnesses in children.
Three major factors contribute to this storm:
Birth trauma
Prenatal stress and stress during pregnancy
Early use of antibiotics and medications
At the heart of The Perfect Storm is birth trauma. This involves interventions like inductions, manual assistance, forceps, vacuum extractions, or C-sections. The bones of a baby’s skull, upper neck, and spine are incredibly fragile, playing a crucial role in safeguarding the nervous system—the body’s control center. Any amount of trauma during birth can affect the nervous system and vital functions like feeding, digestion, sleep, hitting developmental milestones and the list goes on and on.
In addition to birth trauma, stress during pregnancy and the early use of medications like antibiotics are significant contributors to this storm. Thankfully, many parents today are becoming more cautious about medications, opting to use them only as a last resort.
Understanding the Sequence of the Storm
The Perfect Storm doesn’t happen all at once. It shows itself in a predictable sequence, and unfortunately, kids don’t "grow out" of these challenges—they simply "grow into" new ones as they age.
Starting at birth we tend to see this order of events happen:
An infant struggles with fussiness and sleep issues
A toddler battles frequent illnesses and antibiotics (over and over and over again)
A preschooler becomes hyperactive, impulsive, and emotional
A grade-schooler finds it hard to focus and faces social or emotional difficulties
A teenager experiences fatigue, anger, and anxiety
How to Break the Cycle: Taking Action
The key to getting through The Perfect Storm is identifying and addressing its root causes. One common factor is spinal subluxation, which occurs when misalignments in the spine create neurological interference and turn on the body’s stress response, leaving it stuck in overdrive.
(Subluxation is just a chiropractic term for a misalignment in the spine that disrupts the nervous system’s ability to do its job efficiently.)
Healing happens here at Early Beginnings!
Here’s where hope comes in! As neurologically-focused chiropractors, Dr. Camille and Dr. Stef are passionate about discovering what’s causing your child’s stress and discomfort. The first step is being proactive and advocating for your child’s health.
At Early Beginnings Chiropractic, our new patient exam includes an in-depth consultation where we dive deep into your child's history. Then we perform a few safe, non-invasive scans to provide crucial insights into your child’s nervous system (more on this later). Following the scans, we go through a thorough neurological and physical exam. These components of a new patient exam allow us to uncover the root of the problem and develop a customizable plan to get your child back on track!
By recognizing the factors that fuel The Perfect Storm, parents can take an active role in improving their child’s health. A holistic approach—starting with neuro-focused chiropractic care—can have a lasting, positive effect on your child’s development and help them thrive and succeed in an increasingly stressful world!
