As a parent, it’s natural to feel worried and perplexed when your child experiences gross motor delays. You may have tried everything, from numerous physical therapy and occupational therapy sessions to diligently following home exercises, only to see minimal or no progress. If your child struggles to sit up, crawl, or walk despite months of traditional therapy, fatigues easily, slouches constantly, and avoids physical activities altogether, you’re not alone. Many parents find themselves in the same situation, wondering why their child’s gross motor development seems to have stalled.
But what if the root cause of your child’s challenges is something often overlooked by traditional pediatric therapies? The real issue behind gross motor delays goes beyond just low muscle tone and a weak core.
The Importance of Gross Motor Skills
Gross motor skills are vital for a child’s overall development and daily activities. These skills involve movements that require the entire body, primarily utilizing large muscle groups like the arms, legs, and core. However, a set of nerves and muscles often left out of the conversation are those of the neck and neurospinal system.
Gross motor development follows a predictable sequence, starting with head and neck control for latching and nursing. As your child grows, they develop trunk control through tummy time and learning to roll over. Next, they start activating their core muscles to sit up independently. From there, your child progresses to army crawling and regular crawling, which are essential for brain development. Finally, they learn to cruise along furniture and take their first steps.
The Missing Piece: The Role of the Neurospinal System
While traditional therapies focus on strengthening muscles and improving coordination, they often overlook the critical role of the nervous system, particularly the neurospinal system, in gross motor function. To address the root cause of any neuromuscular or gross motor challenge, we must first focus on the “neuro” part. This is where Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care comes in, as it can improve Central Nervous System function in a way that PT and OT cannot.
Subluxation and sympathetic dominance, or increased tone, often develop in the neck and neurospinal system. These issues are commonly caused by breech positioning or birth interventions like forceps, vacuum, induction, or c-section. The resulting hyper or high tone remains until adjusted and cleared out. In other words, the original cause of “low tone” or a “weak core” is often tension and subluxation in the neck and neurospinal system.
A Real-Life Example: Joseph’s Story
Consider Joseph, a 12-year-old boy who sought help for daily challenges associated with autism, ataxia, and chronic constipation. His significant gross motor delays and struggles immediately caught his doctor’s attention.
Joseph’s mom shared, “He will always find a way to slouch, no matter what we do.” Joseph struggled to sit up straight, stand tall, and move around without exhaustion. His body was simultaneously “wound up and worn out,” leading him to seek additional movement stimulation through constant stimming and other behaviors. They had stopped all PT and OT, feeling they had “given up” on his gross motor function and posture ever returning to normal.
However, within the first week of Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care, Joseph’s gross motor function and endurance improved dramatically. He began asking to go to the gym, work out, hit the treadmill, and play at the park! Mom was ecstatic, and so was his doctor.
The Path Forward: Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care
If your child has been struggling with gross motor delays and you feel like you’ve tried everything without lasting results, it’s time to look deeper. Subluxation, excessive sympathetic tone, and the lasting effects of birth trauma could still be at play.
At Generations Chiropractic, we can help you assess your child’s gross motor function thoroughly using Neurological INSiGHT Scans, especially the EMG. Once we have the results of these scans, our doctors can create a customized adjusting care plan tailored specifically for your child. This approach can help your child move past that plateau and get back on track with their gross motor development. If you are not local to us, check out the PX Docs directory to find a PX Doc office near you.
Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. By addressing the root cause of your child’s gross motor delays through Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care, you can help them unlock their full potential and thrive. Don’t give up hope – there are solutions available that can make a significant difference in your child’s life, helping them overcome their gross motor challenges and achieve the milestones they deserve.