Epilepsy & The Nervous System: A Scientific Approach to Understanding Seizures
Epilepsy is a complex neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain. While traditional treatment focuses on seizure suppression through medication, a deeper understanding of the nervous system, brain function, and neuroplasticity provides a broader perspective on how seizures develop, why they occur, and what factors influence neurological stability.
The Brain’s Electrical System & Seizure Activity
The brain operates through a delicate balance of excitatory and inhibitory signaling, primarily regulated by two key neurotransmitters:
✔ Glutamate (Excitatory) – Increases neural activity, supporting cognition, movement, and responsiveness. ✔ GABA (Inhibitory) – Slows down activity, preventing over-excitation and maintaining stability in the nervous system.
A seizure occurs when excitatory signaling overwhelms inhibitory control, leading to hyper-synchronous neuronal firing. This excessive electrical discharge spreads rapidly through the brain, resulting in a variety of seizure presentations.
✔ Focal Seizures – Originate in one specific area of the brain, sometimes with an aura or localized movement before full onset. ✔ Generalized Seizures – Affect both hemispheres of the brain, leading to loss of consciousness and full-body convulsions. ✔ Absence Seizures – Brief lapses in awareness due to disrupted cortical activity.
Understanding why this imbalance occurs requires looking beyond brain chemistry and examining how the entire nervous system regulates stress, adaptation, and recovery.
The Nervous System’s Role in Epilepsy & The 3 T’s
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a crucial role in seizure activity. The ANS has two primary branches:
✔ Sympathetic Nervous System (Fight or Flight) – Increases heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormones. Chronic activation has been linked to seizure susceptibility. ✔ Parasympathetic Nervous System (Rest, Digest, Repair) – Facilitates neurological recovery, immune balance, and vagus nerve function, all of which are important for seizure regulation.
Chiropractic philosophy teaches that interference in the nervous system is caused by three primary stressors, known as the 3 T’s:
✔ Thoughts (Emotional Stress) – Chronic stress, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation increase sympathetic dominance, lowering the nervous system’s threshold for seizures. ✔ Trauma (Physical Stress) – Birth interventions, concussions, and tension in the upper cervical spine can create stress at the brainstem, affecting nervous system adaptability. ✔ Toxins (Chemical Stress) – Medications, environmental toxins, and inflammatory foods alter neurological excitability, impacting seizure activity.
At Purpose Driven Chiropractic, we utilize advanced neurological scans to assess these autonomic functions. Similar to how a neurologist uses an EEG to examine electrical patterns in the brain, our scans evaluate neurological stress patterns in the central nervous system. This allows us to identify root causes and interference affecting seizure activity, brain function, and overall nervous system adaptability.
Traditional Medications, Natural Supplements & Chiropractic’s Unique Approach
Traditional epilepsy treatment relies on anticonvulsant medications that work by suppressing neural excitability. While effective for many, these medications often come with side effects, including fatigue, cognitive changes, and digestive issues.
Natural approaches such as CBD, magnesium, ketogenic diets, and herbal supplements focus on reducing neuroinflammation and enhancing mitochondrial function. While these can help modulate biochemical factors, they do not address neurological stress patterns and autonomic balance.
Chiropractic care stands apart by addressing the root cause of nervous system dysfunction rather than solely modulating symptoms. By reducing physical, emotional, and chemical stressors, chiropractic enhances the nervous system’s adaptability, improving overall brain function and seizure threshold.
The Brainstem, Birth Trauma & Motor Nervous System Development
The brainstem is responsible for filtering sensory input, coordinating autonomic responses, regulating muscle tone, and facilitating motor control—all of which are critical in epilepsy. The motor nervous system, governing movement and postural control, develops through a series of milestones in early childhood. Disruptions in this development can indicate underlying neurological imbalances.
Birth trauma can significantly impact brainstem function. During assisted deliveries (e.g., vacuum extraction, forceps, or manual intervention in both vaginal and C-section births), excessive torsion can occur at the brainstem, leading to:
✔ Cranial nerve dysfunction – Affecting breathing, swallowing, and autonomic regulation. ✔ Tension in the upper cervical spine – Interfering with brainstem and vagus nerve function. ✔ Altered motor tone – Leading to difficulties with muscle coordination, postural control, and sensory integration. ✔ Increased neurological stress – Potentially lowering the seizure threshold and disrupting emotional regulation.
Addressing brainstem health and supporting motor nervous system development can play a significant role in improving nervous system adaptability and reducing seizure susceptibility.
The Vagus Nerve & Seizure Regulation
The vagus nerve plays a critical role in modulating cortical excitability, inflammation, and autonomic balance. Research shows that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy can reduce seizure frequency by:
✔ Enhancing parasympathetic tone, shifting the nervous system out of fight-or-flight dominance. ✔ Reducing systemic inflammation, which is linked to heightened seizure activity. ✔ Improving neuroplasticity, helping the brain adapt to stress more effectively.
Because vagus nerve function is influenced by cervical spine integrity, brainstem health, and autonomic balance, chiropractic care offers a natural way to enhance vagal tone and improve neurological resilience.
Final Thoughts: The Future of Neurological Care in Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a complex, multifaceted neurological condition, but by understanding how the brain, nervous system, and vagus nerve interact, we can explore a comprehensive approach to supporting neurological stability.
If you’re looking for a nervous system-based approach to epilepsy support, we’d love to help assess your child’s neurological adaptability and provide a functional perspective on optimizing brain health.
📅 Schedule a consultation today to learn how nervous system-focused care may support your child’s journey with epilepsy.
