The Nervous System Approach to Chiropractic Care

The Nervous System Approach to Chiropractic Care

Your Nervous System Is the Key to True Health

Your nervous system is the master control system of your body. It connects your brain to every muscle, organ, and system, coordinating everything from movement and digestion to immune function and emotional regulation.

At Purpose Driven Chiropractic, we focus on how well your nervous system is functioning—because when it’s in balance, your body can heal, grow, and adapt the way it was designed to.

What Happens When the Nervous System Is Stressed?

Your nervous system is constantly adapting to physical, emotional, and chemical stressors. But when stress becomes too much—whether from birth trauma, chronic inflammation, injuries, or ongoing emotional tension—it disrupts the communication between the brain and body.

This can lead to a wide range of health challenges, including:
✔ Poor sleep, focus, or mood regulation
✔ Weakened immune function and frequent illness
✔ Emotional struggles, behavioral challenges, and sensory issues
✔ Digestive imbalances, food sensitivities, and gut-brain dysfunction
✔ Chronic stress, tension, and fatigue

Rather than chasing symptoms, our nervous system-focused approach gets to the root cause, helping your body restore balance, build resilience, and reclaim its natural ability to heal and adapt.

The Truth About Healing: Why Nervous System Health Changes Everything

Most people think of chiropractic care as a way to relieve back pain, neck pain, or headaches. But nervous system-focused chiropractic is something entirely different—it’s not about pain, it’s about function.

It’s about restoring communication between the brain and the body, unlocking the body's ability to heal, and addressing the root cause of dysfunction, rather than just chasing symptoms.

And the key to all of it? Subluxation.

What is a Subluxation? The Real Cause of Nervous System Interference

A subluxation isn’t just a “bone out of place.” It’s a neurological disconnect—a breakdown in how the brain and body communicate due to stress, tension, and interference in the nervous system.

🔹 It starts with stress. Physical, emotional, and chemical stressors overload the system (birth trauma, toxins, injuries, chronic anxiety, etc.).

🔹 The body adapts. The nervous system shifts into protection mode—muscles tighten, digestion slows, immune function weakens, and the body becomes stuck in survival mode.

🔹 Communication is blocked. The nervous system gets overwhelmed, and instead of responding to stress and returning to balance, it stays stuck in fight, flight, or freeze.

The result? A nervous system that is dysregulated, an immune system that is weakened, and a body that can no longer heal the way it was designed to.

This can manifest as not just pain but also immune challenges, digestive dysfunction, emotional instability, sensory issues, behavioral struggles, sleep disturbances, and hormone imbalances.

Why Scans Matter: Measuring the Stress Patterns in Your Nervous System

You can’t manage what you don’t measure.

Most traditional healthcare models focus on what you feel, but symptoms are the last thing to show up and the first thing to disappear—which is why we don’t guess, we measure.

Using neurological Insight Scans, we assess:

🔹 Heart Rate Variability (HRV): Measures how well your nervous system adapts to stress and whether you’re in a state of resilience or burnout. HRV is a window into vagal tone, autonomic reserve, and overall adaptability.

🔹 Thermal Scanning: Identifies imbalances in the autonomic nervous system, showing us where stress patterns are stored and how the nervous system is struggling to regulate organ and gland function.

🔹 Surface EMG (sEMG): Measures postural energy and neuromuscular exhaustion, telling us where the nervous system is inefficiently distributing energy due to stress and dysponesis (poor energy management). When subluxation is present, the body wastes energy by keeping muscles tight, affecting movement, posture, and coordination.

These scans don’t just show where subluxation patterns are hiding; they show how your nervous system is functioning.

And here’s the best part: They also show how your body is healing over time.

Healing is a Process: Moving From Survival to Adaptability

A single adjustment can provide temporary relief—but lasting transformation comes with time and repetition.

Think of subluxation like a deeply ingrained habit—your nervous system has been stuck in stress for so long that it needs consistent input to rewire.

The process looks like this:

1️⃣ Release (Phase 1) – Your body starts unwinding stored stress patterns, often leading to an initial detox response as old tension is released.


2️⃣ Reorganize (Phase 2) – The nervous system begins creating new pathways, improving regulation, balance, and adaptability.


3️⃣ Rebuild (Phase 3) – True healing takes place as neuroplasticity kicks in, allowing for optimal function, resilience, and long-term well-being.

The Truth About Healing:

Symptoms vs. Function

Many people judge their health based on how they feel—but true healing isn’t about eliminating symptoms; it’s about restoring function.

🔹 Symptom relief doesn’t mean you’re healed. Just because symptoms go away doesn’t mean the nervous system is fully restored.
🔹 Your body is always healing—it just needs the right conditions. Removing interference allows the brain and body to work together as they were designed to.
🔹 Health is not found in a pill, a quick fix, or an adjustment here and there. It’s a process of retraining the nervous system to handle stress and function at its best.

Why Nervous System-Focused Chiropractic is Different

Unlike traditional chiropractic, which often focuses on short-term pain relief, nervous system-based care is about long-term transformation.

🔹 We don’t chase symptoms—we correct function.
🔹 We don’t guess—we measure.
🔹 We don’t do quick fixes—we create lasting change.

If you’ve been stuck in a cycle of stress, tension, chronic symptoms, immune challenges, hormonal imbalances, or emotional dysregulation, it’s time to stop chasing relief and start restoring function at the root level.

Your Next Step: Discover Where Your Nervous System Stands

If you’re wondering whether nervous system-focused chiropractic care is for you, the best place to start is with an Insight Scan Evaluation.

Scroll Through Life-Changing Stories from Families Like Yours

  • Behavior and Bedwetting

    “He is able to not only attend school but be able to learn and participate because he is able to focus now with less overstimulation going on in his body. He’s able to hold his bladder at night and has a sense of pride being able to do that. The day to day life is less stressful with less behaviors and his ability to focus and relax. He’s a happier kid being able to enjoy life and not be so anxious.”

    -Kristina

  • Tics and Night Terrors

    "Everett was having trouble with emotional regulation, having night terrors causing sleep walking and high emotional outbursts, and he also struggled with frequent physical or verbal tics. Now, Everett rarely ever wakes at night, and if he does he is calm and we just get him back to bed. The tics he struggled with for 2 or 3 years diminished slowly over time until now where they are basically non-existent. He has grown a lot to emotional regulate when upset. Every behavior/symptom we were concerned about improved to a drastic degree. We are so grateful!"

    -Elizabeth

  • Sensory Processing

    "Memphis was diagnosed with SPD around 3 years old. He was sensitive to textures, food, and sounds. He was easily overwhelmed and inflexible. We moved to Idaho when Memphis was 6 years old. He was struggling to adjust to his new school and home and routine. He didn’t have the capacity to be flexible with change in our daily routine, was having emotional outburst, wasn’t sleeping good, and constantly getting sick. We found ourselves planning our lives around him and his struggles. Memphis continues to surprise us with his growth. We recently saw some family that hadn’t seen us in several months and multiple people noticed and commented on his ability to be flexible and let go of what he wanted. He hasn’t been sick since April (before this he was getting sick every 2-3 weeks). He’s able to communicate more clearly to us."

    -Emily

  • Immune Struggles and Emotional Regulation

    “For my oldest Brycen, he was having a difficult time with emotional regulation and temper tantrums. This made everything hard because he would feel so emotional about anything that didn’t go his way, creating a tantrum and making me fearful of doing anything or going anywhere. For my youngest Wyatt, he had recurrent ear infections, recurrent croup, constant illness, digestion issues and eczema. With him being sick all of the time I would have to miss work or leave early. We wouldn’t sleep well because he would need us during the night. And it was stressful not knowing how to help my kids. Wyatt no longer has eczema, and he hasn't had one single ear infection or croup since starting chiropractic care! He sleeps for longer periods of time and has great digestion. Now he’s just a crazy 2 year old! Brycen doesn’t have huge outbursts or temper tantrums anymore. When something happens he is able to tell me how he’s feeling and calm himself down. I don’t know where we would be without chiropractic care! PDC has truly changed our lives! I’m forever grateful."

    -Alyssa

  • Childhood Anxiety

    “Prior to PDC, Giana was extremely nervous and anxious about situations. Whether it was leaving Mom for school or if I was to leave the house to run an errand, go to the gym, etc. Much of our lives revolve around how she was going to react. Giana has evolved and has a more calm state about these scenarios. She’s more confident and less emotional in situations that would open up the flood gates for tears. She has been able to attend cheer camps, sleepovers, and even the dentist. Her teachers have noticed and have made several comments about how well she is doing.”

    -Taryn

  • Tantrums and Avoiding Meds

    “Oliver was very quick to anger, argumentative, and very obstinate towards his daycare teachers. Everything was "No!!" Even if it was something he'd want, he would anticipate something bad and say no before what we had said had even registered. He was starting to lash out physically because he couldn't express himself, and he was just so unhappy in his body.

    He is so much happier and much more reasonable, as far as 4 year olds go. He still goes 100mph all day every day, but he is sleeping better, he argues like a normal boy his age, and he is able to put his thoughts together easier, resulting in almost no tantrums from miscommunication. He went from panicking during his adjustments (constant flight or fight mode) to just loving them, he let's the Dr's do petty much anything.

    Please don't go to traditional behavior modifying meds first. At my job (juvenile detention center)  I know how damaging and compounding they can be. I'm not saying they don't have their place but exhaust every avenue first!!! PDC has been a godsend to both my boys. My special needs oldest was a patient from 6months to almost 4 years and I knew from watching him that Oliver would thrive! Now I have my sweet, funny boy back. Trust the science, trust PDC. I wouldn't trust my kids to anyone else.”

    -Brianna


  • Sleeplessness and Emotional Stress

    “Before finding Purpose Driven Chiropractic the hardest challenge we had with our 2-year-old son was not sleeping through the night. Since birth, he'd never been a great sleeper and continued to wake up multiple times a night every night from birth to 2.5 years old. It was exhausting for him and exhausting for our family. Lack of sleep impacted us all but it became our norm. It wasn't until we found Purpose Driven and his first week of adjustments that he FINALLY consistently started sleeping through the night and taking longer naps during the day. That first week we were thrilled and couldn't believe it. We didn't realize how much better he was going to get from that point. Not only has his sleeping improved, but he is less emotional and clingy and he is coming out of his shell more and interacting with other kids his age. He's speaking up in class now instead of being as shy and we aren't having the emotional drop-offs at school. His teachers have noticed a huge improvement in him since we started. We cannot wait to see how he continues to heal throughout the remainder of his program. We are so thankful that God sent us to the Purpose Driven team to help our little guy. We had no idea how much his little body was struggling day in and day out.”

    -Ashley

  • Anxiety and Baseball

    When we started at PDC, Tyler was pretty anxious and didn't want to leave home and do things such as play outside or go out to eat or visit friends as a family. He also struggled to go to kindergarten. I felt at a loss regarding what to do. I could tell that he had so much potential, but he seemed stuck and inhibited. We tried talking to him about how he felt and what may have been making him feel nervous, but he couldn't really articulate it.

    When I saw his scans I was shocked that he was so significantly stuck in so many areas and was in fight or flight mode so substantially.

    Tyler is not the same kid now. He is engaged and active and likes to have something to do. He absolutely loves baseball; he loves to play it and loves everything about it.

    -Megan

  • Talk, Play, and Cognitive Therapy Failed

    “Brock had difficulties falling asleep, emotionally dysregulated, was showing signs of depression, and ADHD. We were hopeless and frustrated after traditional play, talk, and cognitive therapies failed. After 4 months under care, Brock started regulating in minutes vs his previous 4-5 hours. We have a few challenges at bedtime, however we are able to overcome them without meltdowns. He can communicate and control his responses to stressors with less anger. He knows he has overcome big challenges and were are seeing improved self-esteem and eating much better.”

    -Lora

  • Flexibility and Pain

    After an on the job injury, I retired from the Police force and struggled with overall limited mobility due to lower back and hip pain. I was Relying too much on pain medication and time away from workouts.

    I had tried chiropractic care in the past but only on an as needed basis. Purpose Driven was my first experience with regular, continuous and comprehensive chiropractic care. The scans are an amazing wealth of information as far as how you react to daily stressors and injury.

    I knew it was working when old nagging injuries were beginning to lessen in intensity and frequency. Some injuries, which normally would keep me from my workouts were quickly alleviated with chiropractic adjustments. My mobility and flexibility have increased significantly. Weekly chiropractic maintenance helps me to avoid many of the minor to moderate strains and helps me to maintain my fitness through increased regularity of my workout routine.

    -Brian

  • Headaches, Stomach Aches, and Anxiety.

    “Brandon was having a hard time with anxiety which affected school. He would get headaches and stomachaches that would cause him to miss days. We tried other chiropractors, functional medicine, diet changes, and supplements. He was hesitant to try something new, but after a few months he started asking to make an appointment because he was feeling better. Recently we have had extra stress in our family so we are still working on the anxiety, but he is powering through the days that would have left him home in bed.”

    -Regina

  • Auditory Processing and Immune Health

    “Camryn was what I felt irrationally afraid of loud noises. She was too scared to be in our backyard because the fear of possibly hearing a neighbors’ landscaper. I couldn’t vacuum in our house without a full meltdown. I was worried about her hearing and had a hearing test done, but that was not the issue. I was hoping she would grow out of it, but it was getting worse. I tried removing dairy, gluten, soy, did blood work, gut health protocols. After about 12 visits at PDC her fear of loud sounds were fading. After a couple of months she was no longer afraid of landscapers or vacuums, and was getting sick a lot less than the previous winters. Camryn now rides her bike in our neighborhood without any fear, and I can clean my house without any meltdowns.”

    -Kelli

  • Autism, ADHD, and Anxiety

    “Our 12 yo son struggles with ADHD/Anxiety/Autism. Pretty much everything was a battle. He had a very hard time controlling his emotions and didn’t really know how to ask for help. He has a hard time focusing at school. We tried everything we knew how to make life easier. We had consequences and rewards, but it seemed as if he just couldn’t focus enough to help himself. We had been to countless therapies, tried different doctors, read books, tried changing our parenting style… you name it! PDC’s style of care got to the very root of the problem. We saw the treatments were working withing one week. He enjoyed going and even told us he felt better. He had never told us anything was working before. We believe our child will always be a work in progress, but since starting he has become a different person. He is more in touch with his body, his moods, and his focus.”

    -Kristin

  • C-section, Torticollis, & Tongue Tie

    I gave birth to Judah via cesarean after a long and intensive labor. At five days old, we started care at PDC due to concerns about a tongue/lip tie and noticeable tension in his neck. Judah always turned his head to the right, developed a flat spot on his head, and struggled to move his neck freely, even in his car seat. We sought nervous system-focused chiropractic care to help release tension from his traumatic birth and support his overall development. Alongside craniosacral therapy and a tongue/lip tie revision, chiropractic care played a pivotal role in regulating his nervous system and setting the foundation for progress in other therapies. After just two months of care, Judah began turning his head with ease, stopped sleeping exclusively on one side, and showed steady improvement in hitting his milestones. Today, he's a thriving, active baby—crawling, almost walking, and moving his head freely without restriction. His flat spot is disappearing, and his strength and mobility continue to amaze us. Chiropractic care made a world of difference for Judah’s nervous system and overall development!

  • Ischemic Stroke (1 year old)

    A simple fall. August was just a few inches from the floor on an air mattress gearing up for family movie night. Instead the impact to his head and neck sent his family into a nightmare scenario. August had stopped talking and using the entire right side of his body, arm, leg, and face. He was rushed to the hospital. After a whirlwind of doctors, scans, testing, and neurologists, it was revealed that he had an ischemic stroke to two areas of the brain. In the weeks to come, August regained movement quickly, but was struggling to speak, maintain a stable mood, sleep, and eat. His parents tried many doctors and therapists. Nothing seemed to fit or make an impact. His momma had been following our social media and knew PDC was the place for August’s little body and brain to heal. He is just a few months into care and making huge strides in the right direction. He is sleeping, eating, happy, talking, using his right hand, more stable on his legs, and getting on and off our adjusting tables. We are so proud of August and his amazing parents.

At Purpose Driven Chiropractic, we understand that true health and wellness come from within. The nervous system is the body’s command center, controlling how you think, feel, and function. When it’s balanced, life feels easier, more connected, and full of possibilities.

We’re here to help your family get there.

FAQs

  • Nervous system-focused chiropractic care works by identifying and addressing stress and imbalances in the nervous system, which serves as the body’s master control center. When the nervous system is overwhelmed or not functioning optimally, it can affect how the body grows, heals, and adapts to challenges.

    Using advanced tools like CLA INSiGHT nervous system scans, we assess how well your nervous system is functioning. These scans provide a clear picture of stress patterns and help us create a personalized care plan tailored to your needs.

    Through gentle, precise adjustments, we help restore balance to the nervous system, allowing it to communicate effectively with the rest of the body. This approach doesn’t just focus on temporary relief—it supports long-term healing, growth, and resilience for both children and families.Description text goes here

  • Our approach focuses on the nervous system—the body’s master control center—rather than just the muscles and joints. Traditional chiropractic often centers on pain relief and structural alignment, but we dig deeper to address how the nervous system is functioning and adapting to stress.

    Using advanced CLA INSiGHT nervous system scans, we measure how well the nervous system is communicating and identify areas of stress or imbalance. This allows us to create highly personalized care plans that don’t just chase symptoms but work to improve overall function, resilience, and health from the inside out.

    Our care is gentle, precise, and designed for all ages, with a special focus on children and families. We aim to help your entire family thrive, not just feel better temporarily, but build a strong foundation for lifelong health and wellness.

  • At Purpose Driven Chiropractic, we focus on addressing challenges that stem from an overwhelmed or imbalanced nervous system. Parents often bring their children to us for concerns like:

    • Colic

    • Ear infections

    • Speech Delays

    • Sleep disturbances and night terrors

    • Digestive issues such as GERD or constipation

    • ADHD, sensory processing disorder (SPD), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

    • Behavioral challenges and emotional regulation difficulties

    We also work with families who want to take a proactive approach to wellness, enhancing growth, resilience, and overall health. While we don’t treat specific conditions directly, our nervous system-focused care supports the body’s ability to adapt and heal, helping children and families thrive in ways they may not have thought possible.

  • Yes, chiropractic care is extremely safe for babies and children when provided by trained professionals who specialize in pediatric care. At Purpose Driven Chiropractic, our care is gentle, precise, and tailored to the unique needs of growing bodies and developing nervous systems.

    For infants and children, we use light pressure techniques that are comfortable and appropriate for their age and size. Our focus on the nervous system helps address imbalances that may be contributing to challenges like colic, sleep disturbances, digestive issues, or behavioral concerns.

    Parents often find that chiropractic care not only helps their children thrive but also supports their overall growth, adaptability, and health in ways that last a lifetime. If you have specific concerns about your child, we’re happy to answer your questions.

  • Yes, we do! While our focus is on nervous system-based care for children and families, we also provide care for adults. Many parents who bring their children to our office choose to receive care themselves, recognizing the benefits of nervous system-focused chiropractic for their own health and well-being.

    Whether you’re seeking care for stress, improved adaptability, or proactive wellness, our approach is tailored to help you thrive at any stage of life. We’re here to support the health of your entire family—kids, parents, and beyond!

  • The nervous system can become stressed when it’s overwhelmed by physical, emotional, or chemical challenges that disrupt its ability to function and adapt. One of the most common sources of stress is birth. Even during a smooth delivery, the process can place significant strain on a baby’s delicate and developing nervous system. Challenging births—such as those involving long labors, C-sections, inductions, or the use of forceps or vacuum assistance—can add even more stress, affecting how the nervous system regulates growth, digestion, sleep, and emotional development.

    Other common stressors include:

    • Physical stressors: Falls, injuries, or prolonged postures (like extended time in car seats or at desks) can strain the body and nervous system.

    • Emotional stressors: Anxiety, fear, or feeling overwhelmed—common even in children—can create a heightened "fight-or-flight" response, making it harder for the nervous system to regulate effectively.

    • Chemical stressors: Exposure to environmental toxins, poor nutrition, or imbalances in gut health can impact how the nervous system communicates with the rest of the body.

    When the nervous system is overwhelmed, it may struggle to help the body grow and adapt, leading to challenges such as poor sleep, digestive issues, behavioral difficulties, or developmental delays. Chiropractic care focuses on calming and rebalancing the nervous system, supporting the body’s ability to thrive naturally.

  • We understand that some children may feel nervous or have sensitivities to touch—this is something we’ve seen many times before, and it’s okay. At Purpose Driven Chiropractic, we approach every child’s care with patience, understanding, and respect for their comfort level.

    Our techniques are gentle, and we take the time to build trust at your child’s pace. For children who may be sensitive to touch, we often start with simple, non-invasive steps, like letting them observe our tools, watching demonstrations on a parent or a stuffed animal, or just getting to know us in a low-pressure way.

    Our experience has shown that with time and a thoughtful approach, children often become more comfortable and confident in their care. We’re here to support your child in every way, ensuring they feel safe and understood throughout their journey.

  • CLA INSiGHT nervous system scans are advanced tools that allow us to assess how well your nervous system is functioning. These scans provide a detailed, non-invasive way to measure stress patterns, identify imbalances, and understand how your body is adapting to challenges.

    The nervous system is the body’s master control center, and when it’s overwhelmed or not functioning optimally, it can impact everything from growth and development to behavior, sleep, and overall health and healing. The information from these scans helps us create a personalized care plan tailored to your unique needs, ensuring we’re addressing the root causes of your health challenges—not just the symptoms.

    By tracking progress over time, the scans also allow us to see how your nervous system is improving with care, giving you clear, measurable results on your journey toward better health and balance.

  • Every person is unique, so the timing of noticeable changes can vary. Some families report seeing improvements, such as better sleep, calmer behavior, or increased focus, within just a few visits. For others, changes may take more time as the nervous system begins to adapt and heal.

    Our focus is on creating long-lasting, sustainable results by addressing the root causes of health challenges. While immediate improvements are always exciting, the true goal is to support your body’s natural ability to grow, heal, and thrive over the long term.

    We’ll monitor progress closely and provide consistent feedback, so you’ll always know how your care is helping you or your child move toward your health goals.

  • A neurological adjustment is a gentle, precise technique designed to support and improve the function of the nervous system—the body’s master control center. Rather than focusing solely on bones or muscles, we target areas of stress or imbalance within the nervous system to help it communicate effectively with the body.

    At Purpose Driven Chiropractic, we use a variety of techniques tailored to your unique needs. This includes adjustments with our hands, specialized instruments, or light-touch methods—all chosen based on what will best support your or your child’s nervous system.

    These adjustments are safe for all ages and can help calm an overwhelmed nervous system, restore balance, and enhance adaptability. Many families notice improvements in sleep, focus, emotional regulation, and overall health as the nervous system begins to function at its best.

  • Adjustments can provide lasting results when they address the root causes of nervous system stress and help your body function more effectively. Our approach focuses on improving the way your nervous system regulates and adapts, creating a strong foundation for long-term health and resilience.

    While some families notice immediate changes, lasting results often come with consistency and time as the nervous system adapts and heals. Regular adjustments, combined with healthy lifestyle choices, help maintain progress and prevent old patterns of stress from returning.

    Our goal is to provide care that supports lasting transformation, helping you or your child thrive—not just temporarily feel better.

  • At Purpose Driven Chiropractic, we are not in-network with insurance providers. Chiropractic care is often considered a non-medical necessity, which means it may not be covered by insurance plans. We focus on making care affordable and accessible for families with clear and simple payment plans.

    We are happy to accept HSA (Health Savings Accounts), FSA (Flexible Spending Accounts), and all major credit cards. If you have questions about payment options or how to use your benefits, our team is here to help guide you every step of the way.