FBP

Beyond Genetics: Understanding the Perfect Storm of Childhood Anxiety

Is your child’s anxiety holding them back from experiencing their absolute best life? As a parent, you want nothing more than for your child to be happy, healthy, and confident, especially as they navigate grade school and teenage years. However, the reality is that there is a growing mental health crisis of anxiety in our schools and families, which was further exacerbated by the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the CDC, about 10% of US kids are currently struggling with anxiety, but various sites and studies suggest even higher rates, particularly among teenagers. What’s even more alarming is that we are witnessing anxiety affecting children younger than ever. In the past, anxiety was commonly seen in high school, but now we encounter preschoolers and kindergartners grappling with anxiety and sensory issues so severe that it hinders their daily functioning.

If you are a parent whose child is struggling with anxiety, and more importantly, if you are seeking drug-free options and solutions that target the root causes of your child’s anxiety, this is for you. We understand your desire to see your child thrive, so we are here to empower you with knowledge and resources to address your child’s anxiety head-on.

 

The Science Behind Anxiety

Anxiety is an intense feeling of worry or fear about the future. While it’s normal for your child to experience anxiety in specific situations, such as before a test or an important event, persistent anxiety that affects their daily activities is a cause for concern.

You may have noticed signs of anxiety in your child, such as nervousness, restlessness, increased heart rate, trouble concentrating, difficulty sleeping, and gastrointestinal problems, often referred to as a “nervous stomach.”  These challenges are heartbreaking to watch and can be difficult to navigate when you only want to take these anxious feelings away but have no idea how to help them. 

Something else you should be aware of is that anxiety often coexists with other neurological conditions in children, such as sensory processing disorder, autism, and ADHD. Understanding these connections can help you develop a comprehensive approach to managing your child’s anxiety.

 

Root Causes of Anxiety and the Neurological Approach

Based on clinical experience and the latest scientific research, we believe anxiety is not solely caused by genetics or chemical imbalances. Instead, it is triggered by continual exposure to stress and toxins in your child’s environment, especially during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and early childhood. This “Perfect Storm” creates a cycle of stress and anxiety that becomes deeply ingrained in your child’s nervous system.

One often overlooked aspect of anxiety is the role that birth interventions and birth trauma play. Common interventions like C-Sections, forceps, vacuum extraction, and inductions can trigger a fight-or-flight response within your child’s nervous system from an early age, leading to long-term dysregulation.

As a result, subluxation and dysautonomia occur when the nervous system remains stuck in a sympathetic overdrive, suppressing the parasympathetic and vagus nerve’s calming functions.

Our drug-free approach to care involves using cutting-edge neurological examination using tools like INSiGHT scans and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) to assess the degree of sympathetic nervous system activation and the functionality of the vagus nerve (often called the “rest and digest” nerve).

Our Neurologically-Focused Chiropractors at ADIO Chiropractic aim to improve the quality of life for your child and any individuals struggling with anxiety. Instead of treating symptoms or attempting to cure anxiety, our focus lies in stimulating and activating the vagus nerve to restore a calmer and more regulated state to your child’s autonomic nervous system.

Take the first step today in taking control of your child’s anxiety. We’d love to help! If you aren’t local to us in the Middleton or Madison area, please visit our directory to find a trained and ready-to-serve PX Doc local to you. There is hope, answers, and drug-free help available for your child. Let us empower you with knowledge and resources that can make a difference in your child’s life.

Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. By sharing this message with other parents who could benefit, you contribute to a community of support and empowerment. Together, we can help our children overcome anxiety and thrive.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Request an appointment online or contact us by phone at (608) 824-0950

More blog posts

Beyond Baby Blues: Supporting New Moms’ Emotional Health in Madison

You're awake at 3 AM again, rocking your fussy newborn who refuses to sleep. Your body aches from exhaustion. Your mind races with worry. "Why isn't this feeling magical?" you wonder, guilt washing over you. The nursery you spent months preparing feels like a prison....

Why Is My Child Missing Developmental Milestones? Understanding Gross Motor Delays in Children

You're watching your friend's children at the park, and there it is again—that twinge in your stomach as her 10-month-old effortlessly pulls to stand while your 12-month-old is still struggling to crawl. You've tried to brush it off. "Every child develops at their own...

“They’ll Outgrow It”: Why This Common Advice Is Keeping Your Child From Thriving

It's 2 AM, and you're pacing the nursery with your screaming 3-month-old for the fifth night in a row. Your shirt is soaked with spit-up, your eyes burn from exhaustion, and that persistent worry in the pit of your stomach grows heavier with each passing hour....

Finding Balance: Self-Care Strategies for New Moms in Madison

As your newborn's cries echo through the early morning hours, you reach for your phone – it's 3 AM. Tonight marks the fourth consecutive night of interrupted sleep. The kitchen counters are cluttered with unwashed bottles, the laundry basket overflows, and your...

From Surviving to Thriving: How Madison Dads Can Break Free from Stress, Pain, and Overwhelm

You're awake at 3 AM again. Your lower back is throbbing—probably from helping your son practice pitching all weekend. Tomorrow's presentation looms. Your mind races through the mental load you carry: college savings, that weird noise the car is making, your...

The Real Reason Your Teenager is Always Tired: Beyond Late Nights and Screen Time

It's 7:00 AM. You've already called their name three times. When you finally peek into their dark bedroom, your teenager is still buried under blankets, completely unresponsive to your increasingly frustrated attempts to wake them. Even on weekends, they sleep until...

Why Does My Child Have Emotional Meltdowns? Understanding Sensory Overload in Madison, WI Kids

You're at the grocery store when it happens again. Your child, who was smiling just moments before, is now in full meltdown mode—screaming, crying, maybe even thrashing on the floor. The fluorescent lights, endless choices, bustling shoppers, and background music...

Could Chiropractic Care Help My Child Stop Wetting the Bed? A Natural Approach to Nighttime Accidents

The 2 AM Wake-Up Call That Never Ends It's 2 AM—again. You're kneeling in the dark, stripping wet sheets while trying to comfort your embarrassed child. The plastic mattress cover crinkles beneath your fingers as you both try to ignore the familiar smell of urine....

Is Your Child’s Screen Time Affecting Their Health? A Chiropractic Perspective on Digital Well-Being

In today's digital world, parents across Madison are facing an unprecedented challenge: managing their children's relationship with technology. If you're like many families we see at ADIO Chiropractic, you may be wondering how all those hours hunched over tablets,...

Beyond the Snip: Why Tongue Tie Treatment Requires a Comprehensive Approach

Are you a parent struggling with your child's tongue tie issues? At ADIO Chiropractic in Middleton, Wisconsin, we understand that addressing tongue ties requires more than just a simple procedure - it demands a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach to ensure...