Chiroblog

Newton’s First Law tells us that “an object in motion tends to stay in motion, and an object at rest tends to stay at rest, —unless acted upon by an outside force.” While this principle started as a concept for physics, it offers a powerful framework for understanding patterns in the developing nervous system of children. In pediatric chiropractic, we often see this “inertia” not just in physical movement, but in neurological patterns as well. A child’s posture, muscle tone, coordination, and even behavioral responses can become deeply ingrained over time. Whether it’s chronic tension, asymmetrical movement, or sensory challenges, the body and brain tend to continue along the same path unless something meaningful interrupts that pattern.  As my first chiropractor told me in 1984, “if you want something different, you’ve got to do something different.  Chiropractic is that something different!”

This concept of neurological inertia helps explain why many pediatric conditions don’t simply “resolve on their own,” even when parents try multiple suggested therapies.  The nervous system, especially in early development, is constantly learning and reinforcing patterns based on past experiences. If a child has adapted to stress, birth trauma, or developmental delays, those patterns can become the default setting—essentially the body’s “resting state.” Without a new input or stimulus, those patterns persist. This is why doing the same sort of therapy for years does not produce new results, unless the practitioner is constantly changing and adapting based on the child’s nerve system and how it is doing.  Inertia, in this sense, becomes a barrier to growth and adaptation. But more powerfully, constantly changing the outside force confuses the body and doesn’t allow it to stay in a state of inertia.

Pediatric chiropractic care can serve as that “outside force” described in Newton’s law. Gentle, specific adjustments aimed at improving nervous system function provide new sensory input to the brain, encouraging neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new connections. This input helps shift the child out of old, inefficient patterns and into more adaptive, organized ones. Over time, as new patterns are reinforced, the child’s system begins to “stay in motion” in a healthier direction. In this way, chiropractic care doesn’t just address symptoms—it helps overcome neurological inertia, creating the conditions for lasting change and development.

Recently a teenager with a history of multiple sports-related concussions who had done all sorts of different therapies with no resolution came to the office.  Within several weeks of doing ‘something different’ (gentle chiropractic adjustments and neurological exercises), the neurological inertia shifted and this person has seen dramatic improvement.  That is how chiropractic works with Newton’s First Law.   

Stayed tuned for Part 2 of this article!

Reference:

Neuroplastic Responses to Chiropractic Care:   https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/14/11/1124

Parents often notice that their child’s challenges—whether it’s autism, ADHD, colic, torticollis, or developmental delays—show up as behaviors: difficulty calming down, trouble focusing, or delays in movement or milestones. But what if those behaviors are actually signals from the nervous system? A simple way to understand this is through music. When learning guitar, the brain relies on predictable patterns, repetition, and rhythm to sound organized and successful. In the same way, a child’s brain is constantly trying to predict what comes next and feel safe in their body. When those predictions feel confusing or overwhelming, it can impact everything from behavior to development.

This is where concepts like Polyvagal theory and the “predictive brain” become helpful for parents. A calm, regulated nervous system learns best—just like playing guitar smoothly is easier when your body is relaxed. Rhythm, repetition, and simple patterns help the brain settle and build strong connections. For children with sensory challenges, ADHD, or developmental delays, the nervous system may be working harder to process information, making transitions, movement, or new skills feel more difficult. Supporting regulation—whether through consistent routines, calming input, or gentle care—can make a significant difference in how a child experiences their world.

Pediatric chiropractic care focuses on helping the nervous system function more efficiently so that children can better regulate, adapt, and grow. Just like practicing simple guitar chords builds confidence and coordination over time, supporting the body’s alignment and nervous system can help improve a child’s ability to move, focus, and reach milestones. For parents, this means looking beyond behaviors and asking a deeper question: “Is my child’s nervous system feeling safe and supported?” When the answer becomes “yes,” many families begin to see meaningful changes—not just in symptoms, but in their child’s overall ease, confidence, and development.

Fascinating side note: we have watched children completely change their effect when either I play guitar for them in the office or I hand them a guitar and they start strumming away.  Music is a powerful tool and one of the oldest forms of communication, so listening to music is a great tool for kids with Autism and ADHD; and an even better tool is having them learn to play an instrument because it teaches them focus and allows them to use another part of their brain… that most likely will benefit from the extra attention. 

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of genetic disorders that affect what is called the connective tissues, which are like the scaffolding of the body. Common issues include joint hypermobility, skin challenges with delayed wound healing, fatigue, and anxiety. Research has shown that EDS may affect up to 1 in 5,000 people, mostly female. Each case varies because there are 13 different types of EDS.

Hypermobile EDS often affects children causing diarrhea, urinary incontinence, and frequent falls on top of the previously mentioned most common symptoms. EDS may also cause complications with pregnancy, as women are more likely at risk for uterine issues, early dilation due to weak cervical tissue, and premature labor.

EDS management focuses on preventing further complications and improving quality of life. Recurrent misalignments of the spine are common due to the weak connective tissues inability to hold a supportive posture. Luckily, chiropractic care can help! Instruments, like an Activator, can be used by a chiropractor to provide comfortable and specific low force adjustments. This can help to reduce strain, improve joint positioning, and decrease muscle tension caused by the compensation from misalignments. A personalized care plan can also be created for at home training and exercises. These can help improve the ability to sense location and movement, correct posture, and the brain’s control over muscles. Recommendations for dietary changes, relaxation techniques, and further protection while performing everyday activities can be given.

We have many practice members with EDS and Dr. Rubin has sent 3 recent people (including 2 children) to EDS specialists by being the first provider to identify the common thread that runs through this special diagnosis.  He is also preparing a 1 hour talk about EDS and other issues that run in tandem with it, such as POTS and MCAS, for the chiropractic organization’s he speaks to, in order to educate them about this trending health issue.

References

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31747221/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28559755/