As a parent, you want nothing more than to see your child thrive. You watch them grow, celebrate their milestones, and worry when they face challenges. But what if the root of many common childhood struggles-from sleepless nights and colic to focus issues and meltdowns-lies in a place we often overlook? The nervous system.
Your child’s nervous system is their master control system. It coordinates every function in their body, from breathing and digestion to learning and emotional regulation. When it works without interference, your child can adapt, heal, and develop to their fullest potential. This guide is here to explain how we can support that foundational system right here in Cooper City, FL.
My name is Dr. Cody Capeloto, and at Alive & Free Chiropractic, we help families understand the crucial link between nervous system health and a child’s overall well-being. Let’s explore what that means for your family.
What Exactly is Pediatric Nervous System Care?
Pediatric nervous system care is a gentle, specific approach focused on ensuring your child’s brain and body can communicate clearly, without interference. It is not about treating symptoms or conditions, but rather about restoring the body’s innate ability to heal and function optimally.
The core of this care revolves around detecting and addressing something called subluxation. Think of subluxation as a traffic jam on the body’s information highway. It’s a state of stress and interference within the nervous system that disrupts the vital communication between the brain and the body. This disruption can prevent a child’s system from properly perceiving the world and adapting to it.
When this communication is clear, a child’s body can better organize, self-regulate, and grow. Our goal is simple: find where that stress is stuck and gently help the body release it, allowing your child’s nervous system to get back in the driver’s seat of their health.
The ‘Perfect Storm’: How Stress Builds Up in a Child’s Body
Parents often ask, “How could my child possibly have stress in their nervous system? They’re just a kid!” The truth is, stress can begin even before birth and accumulate through the normal process of growing up. We call this accumulation the “Perfect Storm,” and it’s typically a combination of three types of stressors: Physical, Chemical, and Emotional.
Physical Stress (Traumas)
The very first physical stress a child often experiences is the birth process itself. A difficult or long labor, interventions like forceps or vacuum extraction, or even a C-section can place significant strain on a newborn’s delicate neck and spine. The wellbeing of the mother during gestation also plays a role, which is why we are passionate about providing supportive prenatal chiropractic care to expectant moms.
As they grow, the everyday tumbles of learning to walk, falls on the playground, and minor sports injuries all add layers of physical stress to their developing frame.
Chemical Stress (Toxins)
From the moment they are born, children are exposed to a world of new substances. This can include environmental toxins, processed foods, sugars, and medications. While the body is designed to filter these out, an overload can add stress to the nervous system, challenging its ability to function and adapt.
Emotional Stress (Thoughts)
Emotional stress isn’t just for adults. For a child, this can look like challenges at school, difficulty making friends, family tension, or even just the frustration of not being able to communicate their needs. These emotional inputs are processed by the nervous system and can contribute to a state of being “stuck” in a fight-or-flight response.
A key principle of neurologically-focused care is that the body remembers what the mind forgets. These early life stressors, even minor ones, can be stored in the nervous system, contributing to challenges later on.
Common Signs of Nervous System Dysregulation in Children
When a child’s nervous system is stuck in a state of stress (subluxation), it can’t properly regulate the body’s other functions. This can show up in ways that may not seem obviously connected to the spine. Parents in our Cooper City office often bring their children in for help with a wide range of developmental and wellness challenges.
While every child is unique, here are some common signals that their nervous system may be struggling to adapt:
- For Infants: Persistent issues with colic, reflux, or constipation are often signs of a dysregulated system. Many families seek out a colic chiropractor after discovering the connection between birth trauma and digestive distress. Other signs include difficulty nursing or latching, sleep disturbances, and favoring turning the head to one side (torticollis).
- For Toddlers: Frequent ear infections, chronic colds, and a weakened immune system can be linked to nervous system stress. Behaviorally, this may look like constant meltdowns, difficulty with transitions, and developmental delays in speech or motor skills.
- For School-Aged Kids: Struggles with focus, hyperactivity, and sensory processing are very common. Other indicators include anxiety, trouble sleeping through the night, bedwetting, and persistent growing pains or headaches.
If you recognize your child in these descriptions, know that you are not alone. These are the exact challenges that lead many families to seek a different approach-one that looks deeper for the root cause. Our care as a pediatric chiropractor in Cooper City is designed to assess and address that underlying neurological interference.
What to Expect During a Pediatric Visit at Alive & Free
The thought of taking your child to a chiropractor can be intimidating, especially if your only experience is with adult adjustments. We want to assure you that our approach is different. It is gentle, specific, and designed entirely for a child’s unique needs.
1. The Conversation
Your first visit starts with a conversation. We listen. We want to hear your story, your concerns, your goals, and everything about your child’s journey, starting from pregnancy and birth. This helps us connect the dots and understand the full picture.
2. The INSiGHT Scans
Next, we use state-of-the-art, non-invasive technology called INSiGHT scans. These scans do not use any radiation, pokes, or prods. They simply read the activity of the nervous system. The scans show us precisely where stress is stored, how much it’s impacting function, and how efficiently your child’s nervous system is working. It allows us to measure, so we never have to guess.
3. The Customized Care Plan
After reviewing your child’s history and scan results, we will explain everything we found in a clear, easy-to-understand way. We will then create a customized care plan that is tailored to your child’s specific needs and your family’s health goals.
4. The Gentle Adjustments
Pediatric adjustments are incredibly gentle. For an infant, the amount of pressure used is no more than what you would use to check the ripeness of a tomato. There is no twisting, cracking, or popping. We use light, specific touches to help the body release stored tension and allow the nervous system to reboot.
Our office in Cooper City is designed to be a safe and welcoming space for children. We want every child to feel comfortable, and many of our “chiro kids” get excited for their adjustments!
The Goal: A Thriving, Resilient, and Connected Child
Symptom relief is a wonderful side effect of a healthier nervous system, but it is not our primary goal. We are not treating colic, ear infections, or ADHD. We are helping to restore function to the system that controls all other systems.
The ultimate goal of pediatric nervous system care is to build a foundation of health and resilience that will serve your child for a lifetime. It’s about moving beyond just surviving and into a state of truly thriving.
When a child’s nervous system is “Alive & Free”-clear of interference-they are better able to handle life’s stressors. They can heal faster, learn more easily, connect more deeply, and express their true potential.
If you’re ready to get to the root cause of your child’s health challenges, our team at Alive & Free Chiropractic is here to help. We are dedicated to serving families throughout Cooper City and beyond. Call us at (754) 203-5907 to schedule your consultation and discover how a clear and connected nervous system can make all the difference for your child.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you accept insurance?
We are a neurologically-focused specialty practice and do not bill major medical insurance. We do accept HSA and FSA-which many families already have and can use for this type of specialized care. We also offer transparent self-pay rates and flexible payment options, because every family deserves the chance to thrive.
Is pediatric chiropractic care safe for infants and children?
Absolutely. The techniques used for children are vastly different from those used for adults. Adjustments are incredibly gentle, often using no more pressure than you’d use to check the ripeness of a tomato. Dr. Cody Capeloto is specifically trained in pediatric care to ensure every adjustment is safe, comfortable, and effective for your child’s developing body.
What is a subluxation and how do you find it?
A subluxation is a state of stress and interference in the nervous system that disrupts communication between the brain and the body. It’s like a traffic jam on the body’s information superhighway. We use our advanced, non-invasive INSiGHT scanning technology to pinpoint the exact location and severity of subluxations, so we can be specific in our care and never have to guess.
How many visits will my child need?
The number of visits depends on your child’s individual needs and your family’s health goals, which we determine from their history and INSiGHT scan results. Our initial focus is to help their nervous system adapt and build momentum. We then transition to wellness care to help maintain their progress and support a lifetime of health. We will lay out a clear recommended care plan for you after your initial assessment.