Let’s talk about the brain-gut connection and how it can impact the health, wellness, immune system, digestive system, and emotions of our children. There is so much to unpack here, but we need to approach it from the right perspective.
BRAIN-GUT CONNECTION VS. GUT-BRAIN CONNECTION
Let us first flip the traditional way we view it and talk about the brain-gut connection instead of the gut-brain connection. The vagus nerve, a nerve located at the base of the brainstem, communicates with the gut and relays signals from the gut to the brain and vice versa. While we usually think of this nerve as simply connecting the brain to the gut, it is essential to note that the brain must first tell the gut what to do.
If your child struggles with digestion issues, tummy aches, anxiety, constipation, immune function, or emotions, it could all stem from the brain-gut connection. It is not just about the diet and what we feed our children. We also need to consider what the brain is telling the gut to do.
When helping our children, we must consider both the diet and the brain-gut connection. You may already be trying to reduce your child’s intake of red food dyes, gluten, and other discomfort-causing foods. While this helps calm the gut, it may not be enough if the brain is still overwhelmed.
So often, when we see children that are struggling with constipation, tummy aches, anxiousness, emotions, or behavior, it is time to look at what is going on in their brain and how it communicates with the gut.
We start by looking at the area from C1 through C3, located at the top of the spine and around the base of the skull, and communicates directly with the digestive system through the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve branches out from the base of the skull and goes all the way down to the gut, lungs, heart, and other parts of the body.
If you have tried detoxes, gut health protocols, and other strategies but still haven’t seen results, it is time to measure and check what is happening at the top of the nervous system, where the vagus nerve is located. This area is like air traffic control and can be affected by birth stress, birth trauma, in-utero constriction, childhood development, falls, trips, environmental exposures, and other factors that can wreak havoc on and impact this vital connection that goes from the brain to the gut.
HOW CAN CHIROPRACTIC HELP THE BRAIN-GUT CONNECTION?
Neurologically focused chiropractors use a technology called INSiGHT scans to measure and locate elements of subluxation in your child’s autonomic nerve system. Our gentle adjustments help relieve that stress making sure the vagus nerve can communicate and perform at its full potential.
Our goal as chiropractors is to help your child achieve good gut-brain, brain-to-gut health that can regulate communication, digestion, and everything in between by letting their body do the work it should.
Every child is unique and may struggle with different things. Our team is always available to help you understand the brain-gut connection and how to support your child’s health.