As a parent of a child with chronic health challenges and neurodevelopmental delays, you’ve likely celebrated the victories—those moments when your child reaches a new developmental milestone or overcomes a lingering symptom. But what happens when progress seems to stall, or even worse, your child appears to regress? It’s a gut-wrenching experience that can leave you feeling helpless, frustrated, and questioning everything.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. The path to root cause neurological healing is rarely a straight line; it’s more like a rollercoaster with its fair share of ups, downs, and unexpected twists. But here’s the thing: plateaus and even regressions are often a normal and necessary part of the healing process.
We’ll explain why your child’s progress may ebb and flow, from growth spurts and immune challenges to environmental factors and emotional stress. More importantly, we’ll provide you with the tools and knowledge to navigate these challenging periods with confidence and resilience!
The Neurological Healing Timeline and Roadmap
To understand why plateaus and regressions happen, it’s essential to grasp the nature of neurological healing. Unlike a simple cut that heals in a linear fashion, the brain and nervous system recover in layers and stages, just like regular and normal growth and development.
As an example, for kids who are developing optimally, parents know that when they are going through a growth spurt or immune challenge they are naturally going to be more tired, more emotional, and less regulated.
The same occurs quite often for kids who are going through a neurological healing journey, except often in “double time” – meaning they not only need to continue to go through the ups and downs of regular growth and development, but also now the rollercoaster of neurological root cause healing.
Healing isn’t a straight line—it’s a roller coaster. There are big breakthroughs, and then dips. But as long as we keep moving forward, every loop and turn is part of the nervous system recalibrating and learning how to self-regulate again!
This process is driven by neuroplasticity, the brain’s remarkable ability to rewire itself in response to stimuli and experiences. When a child receives Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care, their nervous system begins to adapt and reorganize, forming new neural connections and pathways. However, this rewiring doesn’t happen overnight; it takes time and repetition for these changes to become fully integrated and stable.
As a result, the healing journey often follows a “two steps forward, one step back” pattern. You may witness periods of rapid progress followed by plateaus or even brief regressions. But, these apparent setbacks are not a sign of failure or ineffective treatment. Instead, they are evidence that the nervous system is working through deeper layers of dysfunction and adapting to a new level of organization.
Neuroplasticity and Chiropractic
From a Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care perspective, neuroplasticity is the nervous system’s innate ability to adapt, heal, and rewire itself in response to specific input—especially when that input is gentle, purposeful, and restorative like a chiropractic adjustment.
When the nervous system is stressed and stuck in sympathetic dominance, it can become rigid, reactive, and dysregulated. But with consistent, targeted chiropractic care—especially using Neuro-Tonal Adjustments that reduce subluxation and restore balance—neuroplasticity is activated, allowing the brain and body to reorganize and return to optimal communication, coordination, and regulation.
In this model, neuroplasticity is not just a theory—it’s the foundation of healing. Every adjustment is a direct input into the nervous system, signaling it to shift from protection and overload into a state of restoration, growth, and resilience. Over time, this builds a more stable, adaptable, and regulated nervous system, setting the stage for real transformation in a child’s health and development.
Growth Spurts and Developmental Milestones
As your child grows and develops, there will be times when their body’s energy and resources are primarily directed towards physical growth and mastering new skills. During these periods, it may seem like their healing progress has taken a backseat. But don’t be alarmed—this temporary shift in focus is a normal and necessary part of your child’s overall development.
When a growth spurt occurs, your child’s body is working hard to lay down new bone, muscle, and neural tissue. This process requires a tremendous amount of energy and nutrients, which may leave less available for other functions like emotional regulation or immune defense. As a result, you may notice changes in your child’s behavior, such as:
- Increased moodiness, clinginess, or emotional dysregulation and sensitivity
- Disrupted sleep patterns (e.g., more night wakings or a greater need for naps)
- Temporary clumsiness or difficulty with coordination as the brain adjusts to the child’s new body size and proportions
Similarly, when your child is on the verge of a developmental milestone—whether it’s learning to crawl, walk, talk, or read—their nervous system is heavily focused on integrating new motor, sensory, and cognitive patterns.
This neurological “rewiring” process can temporarily disrupt other areas of functioning, leading to a plateau or even a brief regression in healing progress.
However, it’s crucial to recognize that these growth-related pauses are ultimately a sign of progress. Each time your child’s nervous system successfully integrates a new skill or adapts to a physical change, it becomes more resilient and efficient overall. Chiropractic adjustments play a key role in supporting this process by ensuring that the lines of communication between the brain and body remain clear and free from interference.
The Impact of Immune Challenges
As a parent, it can be disheartening to see your child’s neurological progress derailed by a sudden illness or fever. However, it’s important to understand that these immune challenges are not setbacks in the true sense of the word. In fact, they are powerful reminders of your child’s innate healing capacity and the intricate connection between the nervous and immune systems.
Fevers, in particular, are often viewed with alarm by parents, but they are actually a sophisticated neurological response to infection or imbalance. Research shows that when the immune system detects a threat, it releases signaling molecules called pyrogens that trigger a rise in body temperature. This increase in heat helps to activate immune cells, boost metabolic processes, and create an inhospitable environment for pathogens. Put simply, it’s an essential first step in neuroimmune function and overall childhood development.
During this process, your child’s nervous system is heavily focused on orchestrating the immune response and restoring balance to the body. As a result, you may notice changes in their behavior, mood, or cognitive function. They may seem more lethargic, irritable, or disconnected than usual. This is completely normal and does not indicate a failure of their neurological care.
In fact, the temporary diversion of resources towards the immune system during an illness can actually lead to profound breakthroughs in healing afterward. This is because the fever process stimulates the release of neurotrophic factors—special proteins that support the growth, survival, and plasticity of neurons. In other words, a fever can actually accelerate neurological development and healing in the long run.
However, it’s not uncommon for children to experience a brief regression or plateau in their progress immediately following an illness. This can be due to several factors:
- The immune system requires a significant amount of energy to mount a strong response, leaving less available for other functions.
- The inflammatory processes associated with an infection can temporarily disrupt neurotransmitter balance and neural signaling.
- The physical and emotional stress of being sick can exacerbate underlying neurological imbalances and subluxations.
This is where Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care comes into play. By continuing to provide neuro-tonal adjustments we can support the overall function and efficiency of both the nervous system and the immune system, which speeds up the healing process overall. In fact, most of the time the most effective way to help a child through a fever and immune challenge is to provide extra or “boost adjustments” by increasing the frequency of the care plan for that short season.
Environmental Toxins and Mold Exposure
While much of your child’s healing journey is influenced by internal factors like growth spurts and immune responses, it’s crucial not to overlook the impact of their external environment. Toxins and mold exposure, in particular, can be significant contributors to plateaus or regressions in neurological progress.
In today’s world, children are exposed to an unprecedented number of synthetic chemicals and pollutants. From pesticides and heavy metals in food to flame retardants in furniture and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in cleaning products, these toxins can accumulate in the body and disrupt normal neurological function. Mold exposure, whether from a hidden leak or poor ventilation, can also release mycotoxins that have a detrimental effect on the brain and nervous system.
For children with pre-existing neurological challenges, the impact of these environmental factors can be even more pronounced. This is because their nervous systems are often already dysregulated, characterized by an overactive sympathetic “fight or flight” response and an underactive parasympathetic “rest, regulate, and digest” response. This imbalance, known as dysautonomia, can make them more sensitive to the effects of toxins and mold.
If you suspect that toxins or mold may be impacting your child’s health, it’s important to take steps to identify and remove these environmental triggers. This may involve:
- Testing your home for mold and addressing any water damage or humidity issues
- Switching to non-toxic, fragrance-free cleaning and personal care products
- Investing in an air purifier with a HEPA filter to remove airborne pollutants
- Choosing organic, whole foods whenever possible to minimize exposure to pesticides and additives
- Working with a qualified practitioner to support your child’s detoxification pathways
While creating a completely toxin-free environment may not be possible, every step you take to reduce your child’s exposure can make a significant difference in their healing journey. By minimizing the burden on their nervous system and supporting their natural detoxification processes, you’ll help create a foundation for more consistent and sustainable progress.
Seasonal Changes and Weather Sensitivity
Have you ever noticed that your child’s signs seem to ebb and flow with the changing of the seasons or the arrival of a new weather pattern? Many parents even report increased sensory issues, behavior challenges, anxiety, and even seizures during full moons.
If you’ve noticed these sorts of patterns with your child’s condition and symptoms, but haven’t quite been able to make sense of it, you’re not alone. Many children with neurological challenges are highly sensitive to shifts in their external environment, and these changes can have a significant impact on their healing progress.
At the heart of this sensitivity lies the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), which is responsible for regulating involuntary functions like heart rate, digestion, and temperature control. The ANS is constantly monitoring both the internal and external environment and making subtle adjustments to maintain balance and homeostasis. However, when a child’s ANS is already in a state of dysregulation due to neurological challenges, it can be more easily thrown off kilter by seasonal and weather-related changes.
Some specific environmental factors that can act as stressors on the ANS include:
- Barometric pressure changes: Fluctuations in atmospheric pressure, such as those that occur before a storm or during a change in altitude, can affect the body’s fluid and inflammation and trigger signs like headaches, fatigue, and joint pain.
- Temperature extremes: Both prolonged hot and cold temperatures can put additional stress on the body’s thermoregulatory systems, exacerbating underlying autonomic imbalances.
- Seasonal allergies: The arrival of spring or fall can bring an influx of pollen and other allergens, triggering immune responses that can disrupt neurotransmitter balance and contribute to behavioral and emotional signs.
- Reduced sunlight exposure: Shorter days and longer nights during the winter months can affect the body’s circadian rhythms and lead to changes in mood, sleep, and overall functioning.
For children with neurological challenges, these environmental stressors can contribute to a temporary plateau or regression in their healing progress. They may experience a resurgence of old signs, increased emotional reactivity, or difficulty with self-regulation and focus. It’s important to remember that these setbacks are often a reflection of the complex interplay between the nervous system and the environment rather than a failure of their healing protocol.
To learn more about the role of these environmental changes, weather shifts, full moons, and so forth—check out this episode of the Experience Miracles Podcast!
The Role of Emotional Stress and Life Changes
As much as we strive to create a stable, predictable environment for our children, life has a way of throwing curveballs when we least expect them. From major transitions like starting a new school year or welcoming a new sibling to more subtle shifts in family dynamics or daily routines, change is an inevitable part of the human experience. For children with neurological challenges, these emotional stressors can impact their healing progress.
At the core of this sensitivity lies the intricate connection between the emotional brain and the Autonomic Nervous System. When a child perceives a situation as stressful or threatening, whether consciously or unconsciously, their body initiates physiological responses designed to help them cope with the challenge. The Sympathetic Nervous System, in particular, kicks into high gear, releasing stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline that prepare the body for “fight or flight.”
While this stress response is a normal and necessary part of the human experience, for children with pre-existing nervous system dysregulation, it can quickly become overwhelming. Their bodies may struggle to return to a state of calm and balance, leading to a prolonged state of hyperarousal that can manifest in a variety of ways, such as:
- Heightened emotional reactivity and moodiness
- Increased anxiety or fearfulness
- Difficulty with transitions and changes in routine
- Regression in previously mastered skills or behaviors
- Sleep disturbances and fatigue
- Increased sensory sensitivity or avoidance
Over time, this chronic state of stress can also contribute to developing subluxations, or areas of dysfunction within the nervous system. When the body is constantly braced for threat, it can lead to patterns of muscular tension, postural imbalances, and altered signaling between the brain and the rest of the body. These subluxations, in turn, can further perpetuate the cycle of dysregulation and contribute to plateaus or regressions in a child’s healing progress.
Remember, navigating emotional stress and change is a natural part of the human experience, and it’s okay if your child’s healing journey includes some ups and downs along the way.
Overloading the Nervous System with Too Many Therapies
When a child is struggling with neurological challenges, it’s only natural for parents to want to do everything in their power to help. After all, there are countless therapies, interventions, and protocols out there that promise to support healing and development. However, in the quest to leave no stone unturned, it’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to do too much at once—and this can actually backfire when it comes to supporting the nervous system.
The nervous system has a limited capacity to process and integrate new information and experiences. Just like a cup can only hold so much water before it overflows, the brain and nervous system can only handle so much input and change at one time. When we try to bombard the system with too many therapies and interventions simultaneously, we risk overloading it and hindering its ability to heal and grow.
So, what’s the alternative? We believe that the key to supporting lasting, transformative healing is to prioritize nervous system regulation above all else. This means focusing on the “batting order” of interventions and ensuring that the brain and nervous system are in an optimal state to receive and integrate new experiences and skills.
In practical terms, this often looks like:
Beginning with Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care, along with INSiGHT scans, to help measure and restore balance to the nervous system, calming the “fight or flight” response and promoting better regulation and resilience.
Gradually layering in additional therapies and interventions, one at a time, while carefully monitoring the child’s response and adjusting course as needed.
Allowing ample time and space for the nervous system to process and integrate changes, rather than rushing from one therapy to the next or expecting immediate results.
Prioritizing therapies that support nervous system regulation and overall well-being, such as occupational therapy focused on sensory regulation, over those that may be more narrowly focused or demanding like intensive primitive reflex integration therapies.
Of course, every child’s needs and circumstances are unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to healing. However, by keeping the concept of nervous system capacity at the forefront of our minds and making intentional, strategic choices about which therapies to pursue and when, we can help create the conditions for real, lasting progress.
This is perhaps one of the most overlooked high value aspects of having a trained and qualified PX Doctor leading your child’s healthcare team—they can help with these tough decisions and “coordinate” all the appropriate therapies or interventions in the right “batting order” over time.
Absolutely — here’s a well-written, parent-facing section you can insert directly into your educational article, covering how pharmaceutical medications can contribute to neurological detox, plateaus, and regressions during healing:
The Medication Factor: How Pharmaceuticals Can Contribute to Regression, Detox, and Plateaus
One of the most commonly overlooked causes of detox reactions, plateaus, or even regressions during neurologically-focused healing is a child’s past or current use of pharmaceutical medications. Whether it’s antibiotics, reflux meds, ADHD stimulants, anti-seizure medications, or sleep aids—these substances can significantly impact the nervous system in both the short and long term.
Many medications are designed to suppress or override symptoms, rather than resolve the root cause of neurological dysfunction. They often act like a “mute button” for symptoms the body is still struggling with underneath. So when we begin true healing—working to restore brain-body communication, balance the nervous system, and activate the vagus nerve—it’s like the body begins to “wake up” again. And sometimes, when that mute button is released, the underlying stress patterns can temporarily resurface. This can look like behavior shifts, emotional changes, sensory sensitivity, or disruptions in sleep and digestion.
Additionally, many medications directly impact neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, GABA, and others that help regulate emotions, focus, and mood. As the nervous system starts to rewire naturally, it may take time for brain chemistry to rebalance, leading to what feels like a regression—but is actually part of the nervous system relearning how to self-regulate without chemical input.
Another important layer to consider is the body’s detoxification process. Over time, pharmaceutical use can contribute to toxic buildup not just in the liver or gut, but also in the brain and nervous system, creating a state of low-grade inflammation and interference. As neurologically-focused care reduces stress and restores balance, the body may begin to release stored toxins, causing a “neurological detox.” These detox reactions can temporarily show up as mood swings, motor or speech regressions, increased meltdowns, or physical symptoms like rashes or digestive upset.
Finally, it’s important to remember that healing happens in layers and phases. The nervous system is incredibly adaptive, but if it has spent years relying on medication to artificially regulate sleep, digestion, or behavior, it will need time to develop and strengthen those systems naturally again. That means there may be pauses (plateaus) or even small dips (regressions) before the next breakthrough.
Healing: An Often Messy, Non-Linear Path to Breakthrough
For both parents and practitioners, it’s so crucial to view healing not as a straight line, but as a process. Regression doesn’t mean failure—it often means that the nervous system is going deeper, peeling back layers of stress, and beginning to function in a new, more sustainable way.
I want to leave you with a final thought: healing isn’t linear, but it’s always happening. The path may be long and winding, and there may be times when you feel like you’re taking two steps forward and one step back. But it’s in these moments of challenge and uncertainty that we often find our greatest strength, resilience, and capacity for growth.
As you continue this journey with your child, remember to approach the process with patience and compassion—both for yourself and for them. Every step forward, no matter how small, contributes to healing and growth.
And above all, know that you are not alone! Our PX Docs Network will continue to do all we can to restore and rebuild your hope, answer your questions and explain all the intricacies of root cause neurological healing, and keep training your Local PX Doctor and their entire practice to do the same. You’re part of a healing community, and we’ll always be here for you—even in the toughest of times!
If you don’t already have a PX Doctor on your team and need to find a practitioner near you, visit our PX Docs directory today and take the first step towards transforming your child’s health and well-being. With the right support and approach, your child can begin the path to neurological healing—including all the ups and downs that are naturally part of the process!
Ready for even more on why kids plateau or even regress while they are getting Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care? Listen to this podcast episode below.
