How can chiropractic care help a child with anxiety?
Introduction
Returning to school can be an exciting time for children, however, for many, it also provokes feelings of anxiety. If your child is resisting getting ready for school, or if they regularly feel sick or nauseous in the mornings before school, that can be an indicator that the child is actually dealing with school anxiety. If you are curious to know what causes anxiety in children, what its symptoms are, and how chiropractic care can help, you are at the right place.
What causes anxiety in children?
Does your child worry or feel frightened excessively or without a good reason? Do they need an excessive amount of reassurance or become embarrassed easily? Anxious feelings are normal and expected during times of transition or change. This is especially true for children going back to school. School-related anxiety is a very real thing today. If your child is feeling anxious about school, or not able to go, it can be exhausting for both of you.
Children can feel anxious about different things at different ages. Many of these worries are a normal part of growing up. But it becomes a problem for them when it gets in the way of their everyday lives. They might be worried about separating from their parents at drop-off, making friends, finding schoolwork confusing, feeling pressured to learn in a certain way, or finding their relationships with teachers difficult.
What are the symptoms of anxiety in children?
When it comes to school anxiety, there are a number of common symptoms that parents should be on the lookout for:
- Restlessness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Disrupted sleep patterns
- Stomach aches or headaches
- Dizziness
- Irritability, crying, or having a tantrum
- Refusal to participate in school activities
- Becoming socially withdrawn
- Changes in appetite
These symptoms can interfere with children’s daily lives, regularly making them feel stressed and anxious.
How chiropractic care can help with anxiety in children?
Physical, Chemical, and Emotional stress all have to be processed and absorbed by the nervous system. When there is stress stuck on the nervous system, it activates the sympathetic or “fight/ flight” stressed portion of our autonomic nervous system (our gas pedal). If this occurs, the parasympathetic or “rest, digest, and relaxation” portion of the nervous system (also known as our brake pedal) is hindered. If the gas pedal is stuck on, we see kids with anxiety, hyperactivity, emotional dysregulation, and depression. So, what might you do for your kid to overcome anxiety? There is something you can do to help manage what your child may be dealing with.
Utilizing chiropractic care will regulate the nervous system by activating the parasympathetic (or brake pedal) with chiropractic adjustments. This can help to facilitate proper nervous system function and promote relaxation, and reduce anxiety.
Conclusion
You may have heard the expression that it’s easier to grow healthy kids than fix sick adults. If you’re like many parents and are looking for an effective way to support your child’s mental health and well-being, consider turning to chiropractic care. At Blossom Family Chiropractic, we aim to help you have the best chance to optimize your health and well-being. We would love the opportunity to help you and your family achieve optimal health.
As one of St. Petersburg’s leading Pediatric and Family chiropractors, we’re always striving to provide you and your family with the best care and experience. If you are looking for prenatal, infant, or family chiropractic care – contact us to schedule an appointment, we can’t wait to help your family!
