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Writer's pictureRadiant Waves Chiro

Unraveling the Mystery: Understanding Dysautonomia in Children

Updated: Nov 12

If you're reading this, you're likely on an unexpected journey. Your child might be battling chronic conditions like seizures, insomnia, anxiety, depression, constipation, or autoimmune issues such as PANS or PANDAS. You're not alone in this struggle. Today, we want to shed light on a condition that might be the missing piece of your child's health puzzle: dysautonomia.

The Hidden Epidemic

We're facing an epidemic of chronic health problems among our teenage and young adult population. Anxiety and depression rates have skyrocketed, and an alarming number of teens are struggling with poor gut health, autoimmune conditions, and even seizures. As a parent, watching your child struggle with these issues can be overwhelming and leave you feeling helpless.


Traditional medicine often falls short, offering little more than a cocktail of medications to mask symptoms. Many teens and young adults we meet are on 3–6 different medications, dealing with side effects that worsen their condition. The truth is, these medications don't address the root cause of their health issues.

Connecting the Dots: Dysautonomia

What if there's a common thread tying these seemingly unrelated conditions together? It's called dysautonomia—a dysfunction and imbalance in the autonomic nervous system. Understanding dysautonomia could be key to unlocking your child's path to better health and improved quality of life.

What is Dysautonomia?

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls all our body's automatic functions, like heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and temperature regulation. It's made up of two main branches:

  1. The sympathetic nervous system (our "fight or flight" response)

  2. The parasympathetic nervous system (our "rest and digest" mode)

These two systems should work together seamlessly to maintain balance. However, in dysautonomia, this delicate balance is disrupted, leading to a wide range of symptoms that can affect nearly every body system.

The Two Main Problems of Dysautonomia

  1. Sympathetic Overdrive: The "fight or flight" system gets stuck in the "on" position.

  2. Parasympathetic Suppression: The "rest, relax, and regulate" side of the nervous system is suppressed.

Because the ANS controls so many major physiological systems and functions in the body, problems often appear in a specific sequence:

  1. Sleep: Difficulty falling and staying asleep, leading to fatigue, exhaustion, and brain fog.

  2. Digestion: The gut and digestive system require significant energy from the nervous system. When stuck in "fight or flight" mode, the body diverts energy away from digestion, leading to various gut issues.

  3. Immune function and inflammation: Chronic stress leaves the body in a constant state of inflammation with suppressed immune function.

  4. Brain health: When dysautonomia is in full effect, mental, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive capacities are significantly affected.

The "Perfect Storm": Understanding the Origins of Dysautonomia

Dysautonomia doesn't develop overnight. It's often the result of a "Perfect Storm" of factors that can include:

  1. Prenatal stress

  2. Birth trauma or interventions

  3. Early childhood stressors

  4. Environmental toxins

  5. Poor nutrition

  6. Chronic infections

Recognizing these factors can help us understand why your child might be experiencing these challenges and guide us in creating a comprehensive healing approach.

Taking Charge of Your Child's Health

As a parent, you have more power than you might realize to help your child overcome these challenges. Here are some steps you can take:

  1. Recognize the Signs: Be aware of dysautonomia symptoms and how they might manifest in your child. Look for patterns in sleep disturbances, digestive issues, anxiety, and other seemingly unrelated symptoms.

  2. Seek Proper Care: Traditional medical tests often miss dysautonomia. There's no valid medical test for dysautonomia, just as there's no test for the supposed "chemical imbalance" theory behind conditions like ADHD, anxiety, and depression. This is why conventional medicine often misses it 99% of the time. Look for healthcare providers who use Neurological INSiGHT Scans, specifically Heart Rate Variability (HRV) testing. These scans can detect patterns and evidence of dysautonomia and nervous system dysregulation.

  3. Explore Holistic Approaches: Consider Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care, which addresses the root cause of dysautonomia and helps balance the nervous system. This approach has shown remarkable results in helping teens and young adults regain their health and vitality.

  4. Support Your Child's Nervous System: Implement stress-reduction techniques, ensure proper nutrition, and create a sleep-friendly environment. Remember, every positive step helps in rebalancing the autonomic nervous system.

  5. Be Patient and Persistent: Healing takes time. Celebrate small victories and keep moving forward. Your child's nervous system has likely been out of balance for some time, so be patient as it learns to function optimally again.

  6. Educate Yourself: The more you understand about dysautonomia and the autonomic nervous system, the better equipped you'll be to support your child's healing journey.

Hope for the Future

Parents, don't let dysautonomia and chronic health challenges hold your child and family back any longer. Thousands of parents and patients are finding hope, answers, and drug-free solutions with Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care every day.


At Radiant Waves Chiropractic, our care begins with a thorough Consultation and Case History. We ask questions and dive deeper than most doctors to find the real root cause of your teen's chronic health challenges. Then, we run the INSiGHT Scans to test for dysautonomia and nervous system dysregulation—a process that takes just 15-20 minutes but can transform your understanding of your child's health struggles.


After gathering this vital information, we sit down for a Report of Findings visit. We show you the scan results, explain everything, and go over your child's Customized Care Plan. This comprehensive approach ensures we're not just treating symptoms, but addressing the root cause of your child's health challenges. Don't wait—reach out to us today! If you're not local to us, check out the PX Docs directory to find an office near you.

Remember, you are your child's best advocate. By understanding dysautonomia and taking proactive steps, you can help your child not just survive, but thrive!

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