Seizures and Epilepsy: A Parent’s Guide to Natural Support

If your child has been diagnosed with seizures or epilepsy, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed and searching for answers. You want to do everything possible to help your child live their fullest life, and you may be wondering if there are natural approaches that can work alongside traditional medical care.

You’re not alone in this journey. Many parents in Cooper City and surrounding areas have walked this path and found hope through comprehensive care that includes neurological chiropractic support. While seizures and epilepsy are serious neurological conditions that require medical attention, understanding how the nervous system works can open doors to additional supportive therapies.

While seizures and epilepsy are serious neurological conditions that require medical attention, understanding how the nervous system works can open doors to additional supportive therapies.

Proudly serving families in Cooper City, Davie, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Weston, and throughout Broward County, FL.

Understanding Seizures and Epilepsy in Children

For children, this can be especially challenging because their developing brains are still forming crucial neural pathways. The good news is that young brains are also incredibly adaptable and responsive to supportive care.

Types of Childhood Seizures

• Focal seizures: Start in one area of the brain and may or may not affect consciousness
• Generalized seizures: Involve both sides of the brain from the start, including absence seizures and tonic-clonic seizures
• Febrile seizures: Occur with high fevers, most common in toddlers
• Unknown onset seizures: When the beginning of the seizure isn’t witnessed or clear

Each type affects children differently, and understanding your child’s specific pattern helps guide the most appropriate care approach.

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The Nervous System Connection

Here’s where neurological chiropractic care becomes relevant. Your child’s spine houses and protects the spinal cord, which is essentially the highway between the brain and the rest of the body. When there’s interference in this communication system, according to the Mayo Clinic, it can affect how the nervous system functions overall.

Think of it like this: if there’s static on a phone line, the message gets garbled. Similarly, when there’s tension or misalignment in the spine, it can create “static” in the nervous system’s communication.

The Perfect Storm Framework

In our practice, we often see children whose neurological challenges stem from what we call the “Perfect Storm” – a combination of factors that stress the developing nervous system:

• Birth trauma: Difficult deliveries, C-sections, or interventions that create physical stress
• Environmental toxins: Exposure to chemicals, heavy metals, or other toxins
• Chronic stress: Ongoing physical, emotional, or chemical stressors

These factors can create a state where the nervous system becomes stuck in “fight or flight” mode, making it more susceptible to dysfunction.

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How Neurological Chiropractic Care Supports Children

Neurological chiropractic care focuses on optimizing nervous system function rather than just treating symptoms. For children with seizures and epilepsy, this approach aims to:

• Reduce nervous system stress and tension
• Improve communication between the brain and body
• Support the body’s natural healing processes
• Enhance overall nervous system regulation

Gentle, Specific Techniques

When working with children who have seizures or epilepsy, we use extremely gentle techniques. There’s no forceful twisting or popping – instead, we use light touches that help the nervous system reset and rebalance.

A Real Family’s Journey

I’ll never forget working with a 7-year-old who had been experiencing absence seizures several times a day. Her mom was exhausted from constantly worrying and watching for signs. After a thorough evaluation, we discovered significant tension in her upper cervical spine.

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Comprehensive Assessment and Care Planning

Every child with seizures or epilepsy is unique, which is why we take a comprehensive approach to assessment. We don’t just look at the spine – we consider the whole child and their unique story.

Our Evaluation Process

1. Detailed health history: We want to understand your child’s journey from birth to now
2. Neurological assessment: Testing reflexes, balance, coordination, and nervous system function
3. Postural analysis: How your child holds their body can tell us a lot about nervous system stress
4. Spinal examination: Gentle palpation to identify areas of tension or misalignment
5. Digital postural analysis: Objective measurements to track progress over time

Working with Your Medical Team

It’s crucial to understand that neurological chiropractic care doesn’t replace medical treatment for seizures and epilepsy. Instead, it works alongside your child’s neurologist and other healthcare providers as part of a comprehensive care team.

We always encourage open communication with all of your child’s healthcare providers. Many families in Pembroke Pines and Weston have found that this collaborative approach gives their children the best possible support.

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Supporting Your Child’s Overall Wellness

Beyond specific neurological care, we also focus on supporting your child’s overall health and resilience. This includes discussing lifestyle factors that can impact nervous system health.

Nutrition and Nervous System Health

What your child eats directly impacts brain function. We often discuss:

• Foods that support brain health and stability
• Identifying and avoiding potential dietary triggers
• The importance of stable blood sugar levels
• Supplements that may support nervous system function

Sleep and Stress Management

Quality sleep is crucial for children with seizures and epilepsy. Poor sleep can lower the seizure threshold and make episodes more likely. We work with families to optimize sleep hygiene and create calming bedtime routines.

We also discuss age-appropriate stress management techniques. Even young children can learn simple breathing exercises or relaxation techniques that help keep their nervous systems calm.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is chiropractic care safe for children with seizures?

When performed by a qualified pediatric chiropractor, gentle neurological chiropractic care is very safe for children with seizures. We use extremely light pressure techniques specifically designed for developing nervous systems. However, we always recommend coordinating with your child’s medical team.

How long before we might see changes?

Every child responds differently to care. Some families notice improvements in sleep, behavior, or overall well-being within the first few weeks, while others see gradual changes over several months. We focus on supporting overall nervous system health rather than making specific promises about seizure outcomes.

Will you adjust my child during a seizure?

Absolutely not. If a child has a seizure in our office, we follow standard seizure safety protocols – keeping them safe, timing the episode, and calling emergency services if needed. Adjustments are only performed when a child is alert and comfortable.

Can chiropractic care replace seizure medications?

No, chiropractic care should not replace prescribed seizure medications. Any changes to medication should only be made under the direct supervision of your child’s neurologist. We work as part of your child’s healthcare team, not as a replacement for medical care.

What should I bring to our first appointment?

Please bring any medical records related to your child’s seizures, a list of current medications, and any recent test results. We also appreciate it when parents bring a detailed timeline of their child’s health history, including birth details and any significant milestones or challenges.

Does insurance cover neurologically-focused chiropractic care?

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 — 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.

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Taking the Next Step Forward

If your child is dealing with seizures or epilepsy, you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. While these conditions can feel overwhelming, remember that you’re not limited to just one approach to supporting your child’s health and well-being.

Neurological chiropractic care offers a gentle, natural way to support your child’s nervous system alongside their medical treatment. Studies from the ICPA research show that many families have found that this comprehensive approach helps their children not just manage their condition, but truly thrive.

The first step is simply having a conversation. During your consultation, we’ll take time to understand your child’s unique situation and discuss whether neurological chiropractic care might be a good fit for your family. There’s no pressure – just honest, caring guidance from one parent to another.

Ready to explore how we can support your child’s journey toward better health? Call us at (754) 203-5907 or book your consultation online. Your child deserves every opportunity to live alive and free.

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