11/22/2025
Three D’s That Can Destroy Your Child’s Health & Yours
Spinal dysfunction can significantly influence the autonomic nervous system (ANS), often leading to Sympathetic Dominance, a state where the body’s “fight or flight” response chronically outweighs the “rest and digest” functions of the parasympathetic system. The spine plays a vital role in protecting and housing the spinal cord—the main communication highway between the brain and body. When spinal joints become restricted, misaligned, or irritated (a condition often referred to as vertebral subluxation), abnormal sensory input can occur. This abnormal input may overstimulate sympathetic nerve pathways, resulting in widespread physiological stress known as Dysautonomia.
Dysautonomia refers to a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, leading to poor regulation of heart rate, digestion, respiration, and immune response. Symptoms can include fatigue, anxiety, digestive issues, high blood pressure, and sleep disturbances. When sympathetic dominance persists, the body remains in a heightened state of alertness, depleting energy reserves and impairing recovery, immunity, and emotional regulation. Over time, this imbalance contributes to systemic stress, inflammation, and a reduced ability to adapt to environmental and emotional challenges.
Closely related to this is Dysponesis, defined as the inefficient use of energy in the nervous system due to faulty neuromuscular responses. Dysponesis arises when the brain sends inappropriate or excessive signals to muscles and organs, leading to chronic tension, poor posture, and inefficient body function. In many cases, dysponesis stems from spinal dysfunction, as improper spinal signaling disrupts the body’s ability to self-regulate efficiently. Together, dysautonomia and dysponesis reflect a loss of harmony in the nervous system—an inability to maintain balance between activity and rest, tension and relaxation.
Chiropractic care aims to restore proper spinal alignment and movement, reducing interference in the nervous system. Through specific spinal adjustments, chiropractors seek to normalize afferent (sensory) input to the brain, helping the ANS shift from sympathetic overdrive toward parasympathetic balance. As this balance is restored, the body can more effectively regulate internal functions, reduce stress responses, and improve overall adaptability. Ultimately, chiropractic care addresses the root of spinal-related nervous system imbalance, promoting a state of physiological coherence and well-being.
In children, the improvement in nerve function would look like this: better sleep patterns, enhanced concentration, and improved mood stability as the nervous system becomes more balanced. Many parents also report fewer colds and infections due to improved immune regulation, better digestion, and more consistent bowel habits. Posture and coordination often improve as muscular tension decreases and motor control becomes more refined. Children may also experience fewer headaches, less hyperactivity, and reduced anxiety, since their bodies are no longer stuck in a state of sympathetic overdrive. Overall, balanced nerve function supports optimal growth, emotional regulation, learning capacity, and long-term wellness.
