How to Care for Constipation Naturally
Constipation is a common challenge affecting about 30% of children, especially during their toddler and preschool years. While many parents believe that children simply grow out of constipation, the reality is that it can often evolve into other digestive issues as they get older. If you've tried remedies like prebiotics, probiotics, prune juice, or even prescription medications, and your child’s struggles persist, it’s time to consider a different approach.
As a neurologically focused pediatric chiropractor, I’ve seen first-hand that the root cause of constipation often lies in the nervous system—not just diet or gut health. In this blog, I’ll explore how a stressed nervous system could be causing or exacerbating your child’s constipation, and how we can address it through a natural, drug-free approach.
The Root Causes of Constipation
At New Hope Chiropractic, we don’t just treat the symptoms; we get to the root cause of the issue by focusing on the nervous system. While constipation is commonly associated with poor diet and nutrition, if you’ve already explored those avenues without success, it’s time to look deeper. The neurological health of your child’s digestive system plays a key role, and it’s often overlooked.
Many children experiencing chronic constipation are dealing with stress on their nervous system from an early age—stress from pregnancy, birth trauma, or early childhood experiences. These stressors can lead to imbalances in the neuro-digestive system, causing sluggish digestion and difficulty with regular bowel movements.
Stress on the Nervous System Affects Digestion
The nervous system is made up of two key parts: the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) and the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest). For children with constipation, the sympathetic nervous system can become overstimulated, affecting their ability to relax and properly digest food.
When the body is in a heightened stress state, energy is diverted away from the digestive organs and toward the muscles, which helps the body "fight or flee." Unfortunately, this means that digestive motility slows down, and constipation becomes a common issue. This phenomenon is known as neurogenic constipation.
In fact, the majority of the cases we see in our clinic are neurogenic in nature, meaning they stem from neurological stress rather than just diet or lifestyle factors. We assess this through the use of INSiGHT scans, which help identify areas of stress on the nervous system that could be contributing to digestive dysfunction.
Juniper’s Story: How Chiropractic Helped with Constipation
Take the case of Juniper, a 5-month-old baby who came to us struggling with constipation. Despite trying probiotics and dietary changes, Juniper’s constipation persisted. When we used our neurothermal scan, we identified two key subluxations (misalignments) in her spinal column—one at the top of her spine (the brainstem area) and one in the mid-back, around the stomach and digestive areas.
The upper spinal misalignment was affecting the vagus nerve, which is responsible for regulating the digestive system. The second subluxation in the mid-back was inhibiting the digestive process further, making it hard for Juniper to move food through her system and leading to constipation.
After receiving targeted chiropractic adjustments, Juniper’s digestive system began functioning properly, and her constipation was significantly reduced. Her story is just one example of how addressing the root cause of digestive issues through chiropractic care can provide lasting relief for children with constipation.
Chiropractic Care: A Natural Solution for Constipation
Chiropractic care isn’t a quick fix for constipation, but rather a long-term solution that focuses on rebalancing the nervous system. By using gentle adjustments to remove stress from the spine and nervous system, we can restore proper digestive function and help children experience better health without relying on medications.
At New Hope Chiropractic, we work with each family to create a customized care plan based on their child's unique needs. If your child is struggling with constipation, we’re here to help. We’ll assess the root cause of their symptoms and use neurological adjustments to restore balance and improve digestion.
Take the Next Step
If you’ve tried everything else and are still struggling to find relief for your child’s constipation, it may be time to explore neurologically-focused chiropractic care. Our approach focuses on the nervous system to address the root cause, helping your child achieve long-term relief and better overall health.
If you’re ready to learn more about how we can help, please contact us today to schedule a consultation or find a PX Docs chiropractor in your area. We look forward to helping you and your child achieve better digestive health and well-being—naturally.
Let’s work together to restore your child’s gut health and set them on the path to a healthier future!