Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) influences the brain’s processing and response to various stimuli or sensory information, encompassing touch, sound, taste, smell, and visual input. People with this condition usually experience a heightened sensitivity to stimuli compared to other people, however, SPD can also have the opposite effect resulting in a decreased sensitivity to various sensory inputs. This over or under-reaction to certain sensations can cause discomfort and anxiety for individuals with SPD as well as challenges in their daily life.
According to The American Journal of Psychiatry, between 5% to 16% of children in the United States have SPD, highlighting its prevalence on the neurodivergent spectrum and the pressing need to give attention to and understand this condition that affects so many.
SPD can manifest differently in each child, leading to a wide range of symptoms. For some children, lights might seem too bright, or certain textures or sounds might make them vomit. SPD can also affect coordination in children, causing clumsiness or poor balance as well as behavioral problems. This article will explore the benefits of chiropractic care as an effective approach to supporting children with SPD.
What Causes SPD?
The root cause of SPD is due to a dysfunction within the nervous system which comprises the brain, spinal cord, and nerves that facilitate communication throughout the cells, muscles, and organs in the body.
Children with SPD often exhibit subluxation, or misalignment in their spinal column which can hinder the brain’s ability to accurately perceive and respond to sensory information from the environment, creating a type of traffic jam in their nervous system. This makes it difficult for sensory information to be processed efficiently and sent to the appropriate areas of the body resulting in impaired communication between the child’s body and brain.
Chiropractic care aims to identify and address these subluxations in order to relieve the interference in their nervous system and restore optimal function. By assisting them in correctly integrating sensory inputs, chiropractic care had the potential to greatly improve the child’s overall experience of the world around them. If you live in the Atlanta area and would like further information about chiropractic care for your child, consider checking this site to find out more.
How Can Chiropractic Help with SPD?
Many treatments that seek to help children with SPD do not address the root issue, which is an impairment within their nervous system. Chiropractic care aims to remove nerve interference and restore proper communication between the child’s brain and body, helping them to properly perceive and process sensory stimuli and engage with their environment without adverse reactions such as emotional outbursts, hypersensitivity, overload, and meltdowns.
Through carefully and precisely applied chiropractic adjustments tailored to the child’s age and comfort level, the subluxations can be corrected. As a result, the transmission of sensory information can be improved and a healthier and more effective response can be expected in the child with regard to environmental stimuli.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Children with SPD
One of the main benefits of chiropractic care for children with SPD is its focus on the spine. Subluxations, or misalignments in the spinal vertebrae, can interfere with nerve signals and the overall functioning of the nervous system. Subluxations can be caused by a variety of factors such as birth trauma, birth position, and falls and accidents and chiropractic care seeks to eliminate the resulting neurological problems by realigning the spine.
Chiropractic offers children a gentle and non-invasive technique to correct these subluxations, helping to improve the transmission of nerve signals and enhance communication between their brain and their body. This gentle approach ensures that children feel at ease during their treatment process, making it a suitable option for supporting their sensory integration and overall well-being.
Chiropractic adjustments can also help to reduce tension in the muscles and improve joint mobility. This can be particularly beneficial for children with SPD who experience stiffness or tension in their muscles and joints, helping them to feel more comfortable in their movements along with aiding their overall sensory experiences.
The specific treatment plan for each child will vary based on their unique needs and the assessment of a qualified chiropractor who is experienced in working with pediatric patients.
Additional Recommendations
In addition to offering physical adjustments to assist children with SPD, chiropractors can also provide valuable recommendations which can assist them beyond their chiropractic sessions.
These can include lifestyle recommendations such as nutritional guidance which is another important component to supporting the wellbeing of a child with SPD. Nutritional interventions can greatly assist children in receiving the nourishment they need to foster optimal brain function and a healthy nervous system.
A chiropractor may suggest the inclusion of certain foods or nutrients into a child’s diet to help enhance their mental and sensory functioning. For example, fruits and vegetables offer a source of healthy carbohydrates and a steady supply of energy which can help to alleviate brain fog and attention-deficit issues that many children with SPD can have difficulty with. They may also suggest incorporating specific nutrients such as B vitamins which studies have shown can enhance the health of nerve cells and proper signaling in the brain.
Many children with SPD can have adverse reactions or sensitivities to certain foods due to their taste, color, or texture. This can result in picky eating habits which can cause them to miss out on important vitamins and minerals which are essential for the optimal functioning of their nervous system and overall health and wellbeing. A chiropractor can suggest appropriate supplements which parents can include in their child’s diet to ensure they are receiving the nutrition that they need.
Other complementary recommendations which a chiropractor can make include specific exercises designed to improve coordination, strength and balance as well as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, and other techniques which can help to promote greater relaxation and focus in children with SPD.
By taking a holistic approach to address the various needs and challenges of children with SPD, chiropractors can serve as valuable experts who can greatly support their sensory functioning while also contributing to an improvement in their quality of life and overall well-being.