As a parent, it’s tough watching your child struggle with issues like constipation, bedwetting, tummy aches, or poor sleep. You’ve tried changing their diet, adding probiotics, creating bedtime routines—and still, something feels off.
The missing link? It might be their nervous system.
The Nervous System’s Role in Digestion, Sleep, and More
The brain and body communicate through the spinal cord and nerves. If there’s interference or imbalance in this communication pathway, organs like the stomach, bladder, intestines, and even sleep centers in the brain can become dysregulated.
This is especially important in kids, whose autonomic nervous systems—which regulate involuntary functions like digestion, elimination, and sleep—are still developing. When that system is out of sync, symptoms like constipation, reflux, urinary issues, or restlessness often appear.
That’s where chiropractic comes in.
How Chiropractic Care Helps
Chiropractors assess the spine for subluxations—misalignments that can disrupt nerve signals to the organs. For example:
The lower spine (lumbar and sacral regions) sends nerves to the bowels and bladder. Misalignments here may contribute to constipation or bedwetting.
The mid-back (thoracic spine) connects to digestive organs like the stomach, pancreas, and intestines.
The upper neck influences the vagus nerve, which helps regulate digestion, sleep, and calming responses.
By correcting these subluxations using gentle chiropractic adjustments, we help restore better communication between the brain and body.
Why We Use the Activator Method
The Activator Technique is a gentle, instrument-assisted method that allows us to adjust the spine without twisting, cracking, or sudden movements—perfect for children of all ages.
For kids struggling with visceral issues, the Activator:
Delivers precise, low-force input
Is quick and comfortable, even for anxious or sensory-sensitive kids
Targets specific spinal levels associated with organ function
In a study published in Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing, children with chronic constipation experienced significant improvements after chiropractic adjustments using low-force techniques like Activator (Hayden et al., 2006).
Common Visceral Issues Chiropractic May Support:
Constipation
Gentle adjustments to the sacrum and lumbar spine help restore nerve flow to the colon and stimulate proper motility.
A case study in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health showed resolution of chronic constipation in a toddler after chiropractic care focused on sacral adjustments (Alcantara et al., 2008).
Bedwetting (Nocturnal Enuresis)
When the bladder doesn’t get the right signals at night, accidents can happen. Chiropractic adjustments to the sacrum have shown promising results.
Reflux and Digestion Issues
Misalignments in the upper thoracic and cervical spine may impact the vagus nerve and organs like the stomach, causing reflux or bloating.
Sleep Problems
Sleep is deeply connected to nervous system regulation. Kids who can’t "turn off" their brain or stay asleep often benefit from upper cervical care, which calms the brainstem and balances parasympathetic activity.
Real-Life Outcomes
Parents often notice:
More regular bowel movements
Fewer nighttime accidents
Less bloating or gas
Improved mood and behavior (linked to gut health)
Better sleep patterns and fewer night wakings
And perhaps most importantly—a child who feels more comfortable in their body.
Final Thoughts for Parents
If your child struggles with digestive issues, constipation, bedwetting, or sleep troubles, chiropractic care may provide the support their nervous system needs to function more optimally—naturally, gently, and safely.
By restoring proper alignment and communication between the brain and body, we help unlock the body’s potential to regulate, heal, and grow the way it was designed to.
Have questions or ready to book an evaluation?
Let’s talk. We’re here to support your child’s health from the inside out—with chiropractic care that works with their body, not against it.