Is your child struggling with anxiety that seems to control their daily life? Does your little one worry constantly, have trouble sleeping, or experience physical symptoms like stomachaches before school? You’re not alone in this journey. Many families throughout Cooper City, Pembroke Pines, and Weston are facing the same challenges, watching their children struggle with overwhelming feelings of worry and fear.
π‘ Key Takeaway: Your child’s anxiety may not just be “all in their head” β it could be connected to nervous system dysfunction that can be addressed naturally through neurologically-focused chiropractic care.
Perhaps you’ve tried traditional approaches β therapy, medication, or lifestyle changes β but found they only provide temporary relief. The anxiety keeps returning, and you’re left wondering if there’s something deeper going on that hasn’t been addressed. What if the root cause of your child’s anxiety isn’t just in their mind, but actually connected to how their nervous system is functioning?
β€οΈ You’re Not Alone: Many parents feel frustrated when traditional approaches only provide temporary relief, leaving them searching for deeper solutions to help their child find lasting peace.
What if the root cause of your child’s anxiety isn’t just in their mind, but actually connected to how their nervous system is functioning?
Proudly serving families in Cooper City, Davie, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Weston, and throughout Broward County, FL.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is your child’s nervous system responding to perceived threats, even when there’s no real danger present. It’s like having a smoke alarm that goes off when you’re just making toast β the alarm system is working, but it’s being triggered too easily and too often.
For children, anxiety shows up as excessive worry, fear, or nervousness that interferes with their daily activities. Unlike normal childhood worries that come and go, anxiety tends to stick around and can actually get worse over time if the underlying cause isn’t addressed.
β€οΈ Parent Note: Anxiety isn’t a character flaw or something your child can simply “get over” β it’s a real condition affecting how their brain and body communicate with each other.
The key thing to understand is that anxiety isn’t a character flaw or something your child can simply “get over.” It’s a real condition that affects how their brain and body communicate with each other. When the nervous system is stuck in a state of high alert, your child’s body is constantly preparing for danger that isn’t actually there.
This constant state of “fight or flight” is exhausting for your child and can impact everything from their sleep and appetite to their ability to focus in school and enjoy time with friends.
Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety in Children
Recognizing anxiety in children can be challenging because it often shows up differently than adult anxiety. Here are the most common signs parents notice:
- Frequent complaints of stomachaches or headaches, especially before school or social events
- Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, often due to racing thoughts or worries
- Avoiding activities they used to enjoy or refusing to try new things
- Excessive worry about everyday situations like school performance, friendships, or family safety
- Physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, sweating, or feeling short of breath during stressful situations
- Clinginess or difficulty separating from parents, even for normal activities
- Perfectionist tendencies or fear of making mistakes
- Frequent meltdowns or emotional outbursts that seem disproportionate to the situation
β What You Can Do: If you’re reading this list and thinking “that sounds like my child,” you’re already taking an important first step by seeking answers and solutions.
If you’re reading this list and thinking “that sounds like my child,” you’re already taking an important step by seeking answers and solutions.
What Causes Anxiety?
While many factors can contribute to childhood anxiety, the root cause often lies in nervous system dysfunction. At Alive & Free Chiropractic, we often see what we call a “Perfect Storm” β a combination of factors that create the ideal conditions for anxiety to develop.
This Perfect Storm typically begins during birth. Interventions like forceps, vacuum extraction, or even prolonged labor can create stress and tension in your baby’s delicate spine and nervous system. These early traumas can create subluxations β areas where the spine isn’t moving properly and is interfering with nerve function.
As your child grows, additional stressors pile on. Falls while learning to walk, poor posture from screen time, emotional stress from school, processed foods, and even environmental toxins all add to the burden on their nervous system. Each stressor is like adding another weight to an already strained system.
β Did You Know? The vagus nerve plays a crucial role in activating your child’s natural calm response β when subluxations interfere with its function, the nervous system can get stuck in constant “fight or flight” mode.
When subluxations interfere with proper nerve function, your child’s autonomic nervous system β the part that controls automatic functions like heart rate, breathing, and stress response β can get stuck in “fight or flight” mode. The vagus nerve, which helps activate the body’s natural calm and rest response, may not be functioning optimally.
This means your child’s nervous system is constantly sending signals that danger is present, even in safe situations. Their body is prepared to run from a tiger when they’re just sitting in a classroom or trying to fall asleep in their own bed.
How Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Helps with Anxiety
At Alive & Free Chiropractic, we take a different approach to childhood anxiety. Instead of just managing symptoms, we focus on addressing the underlying nervous system dysfunction that’s often at the root of the problem.
Our approach begins with advanced INSiGHT scanning technology that measures how well your child’s nervous system is functioning. These scans show us exactly where subluxations are interfering with nerve communication and how your child’s autonomic nervous system is responding to stress.
The scans are completely safe and painless β like taking your child’s temperature. They provide objective data that helps us understand what’s happening in your child’s nervous system and create a specific care plan tailored to their unique needs.
Through gentle, specific chiropractic adjustments, we work to remove subluxations and restore proper nerve function. This isn’t about “cracking bones” β our pediatric adjustments use no more pressure than you’d use to check the ripeness of a tomato. Many children find the adjustments relaxing and even fall asleep during their visits.
As we remove interference from the nervous system, many families notice improvements in their child’s overall regulation. The vagus nerve can function more optimally, helping activate the body’s natural “rest and digest” response. This creates space for the nervous system to shift out of constant fight-or-flight mode.
Research suggests that when the nervous system functions better, children often experience improvements in related areas as well. Many families report better sleep, improved focus, and fewer behavioral challenges alongside reductions in anxiety symptoms. This makes sense because conditions like ADHD, Sleep Issues, and Behavioral Issues often share the same root cause β nervous system dysfunction. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions affecting children.
Wondering if chiropractic care could help your child with anxiety?
Call us at (754) 203-5907 or schedule your child’s assessment online.
What to Expect at Your Child’s First Visit
We know that bringing your anxious child to a new place can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve designed our process to be as comfortable and welcoming as possible for both you and your child.
Your first visit begins with a thorough consultation where we’ll discuss your child’s health history, current challenges, and your goals for their care. We want to understand not just their anxiety symptoms, but also their overall health picture β sleep patterns, energy levels, digestion, and any other concerns you may have.
Next, we’ll perform our INSiGHT nervous system scans. These are completely painless and non-invasive β most children think they’re fun! The scans take just a few minutes and provide valuable information about how your child’s nervous system is functioning.
During your report of findings visit, we’ll review your child’s scan results and explain exactly what we found. We’ll show you where subluxations are present and how they might be contributing to your child’s anxiety. Then, we’ll discuss our recommendations for care and answer any questions you have.
Our office in Cooper City welcomes families from throughout the area, including Pembroke Pines, Weston, and Southwest Ranches. We understand that every child is unique, and we’ll work with you to create a care plan that fits your family’s needs and schedule.
β Action Step: Remember that we take extra care to help anxious children feel safe and comfortable throughout their entire visit, going at your child’s pace every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anxiety
Is chiropractic safe for children with anxiety?
Absolutely. Pediatric chiropractic care is extremely safe when provided by a trained professional. Our techniques are specifically designed for children and use very gentle pressure. Many anxious children actually find the adjustments calming and relaxing. We also take extra care to help anxious children feel comfortable in our office environment.
How long does it take to see improvements in anxiety symptoms?
Every child is different, but many families notice some positive changes within the first few weeks of care. Some children sleep better or seem calmer after just a few adjustments. However, lasting changes typically develop over several months as the nervous system learns new, healthier patterns. We’ll monitor your child’s progress closely and adjust the care plan as needed.
Can my child continue other treatments while receiving chiropractic care?
Yes, chiropractic care can complement other approaches your child may be using for anxiety. We work well alongside counselors, therapists, and medical doctors (as supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics’ mental health initiatives). We always encourage parents to keep their child’s other healthcare providers informed about the chiropractic care they’re receiving.
What if my child is scared or resistant to being adjusted?
We completely understand β many anxious children are initially nervous about new experiences. We take plenty of time to help your child feel comfortable. We’ll show them our equipment, explain what we’re doing in kid-friendly terms, and never force anything. Sometimes we start with just the scans and let your child get used to the office before beginning adjustments.
Will my insurance cover chiropractic care for my child’s anxiety?
Because we are neurologically-focused rather than a typical back-pain chiropractor, most major medical insurance plans do not cover what we do. Our approach is more specialized and more intensive than what insurance was designed for. However, we accept HSA and FSA β which many families have and don’t realize they can use for this. We also offer family discounts and flexible options to make care affordable. We always find a way for families who are committed to their child’s health.
Related Articles
To learn more about how your child’s nervous system affects their overall health and behavior, we recommend reading:
- Your Child’s Nervous System: A Simple Parent’s Guide
- Subluxation in Children: What Every Parent Should Know
Take the Next Step for Your Child
Watching your child struggle with anxiety is heartbreaking, but you don’t have to figure this out alone. At Alive & Free Chiropractic, we’re here to help you understand what’s really going on with your child’s nervous system and provide gentle, effective care that addresses the root cause.
Our neurologically-focused approach has helped many families in Cooper City and throughout Broward County and the surrounding areas find hope and healing. While we can’t guarantee specific outcomes, we can promise that we’ll work tirelessly to help your child’s nervous system function at its best.
Your child deserves to experience childhood with joy, confidence, and peace. Take the first step toward understanding how their nervous system might be contributing to their anxiety. Call us at (754) 203-5907 or use our convenient online booking system to schedule your child’s comprehensive assessment. Learn more about children’s mental health resources from the CDC.
Your child deserves to thrive.
Call Alive & Free Chiropractic at (754) 203-5907 or book your visit online today.
