As a parent, it’s completely understandable to feel concerned and confused when your child experiences gross motor delays. You may have tried everything, from numerous physical and occupational therapy sessions to diligently following home exercise routines, yet seen little to no progress. If your child struggles to sit up, crawl, or walk despite months of traditional therapy, tires easily, constantly slouches, and avoids physical activities, you are not alone. Many parents face the same challenges, wondering why their child’s gross motor development seems to have stalled.
However, what if the underlying cause of your child’s difficulties is something that traditional pediatric therapies often overlook? The true issue behind gross motor delays can extend far beyond low muscle tone and weak core strength.
Gross Motor Skills: Why are they important?
Gross motor skills are crucial for a child’s overall development and daily activities. These important skills involve movements that require the entire body, primarily utilizing the large muscle groups like the arms, legs, and core. However, there’s a network of nerves and muscles that is frequently overlooked in discussions about gross motor skills and development: the neck and neurospinal system.
We see the steps with our kids but rarely take into account how much neurological growth is happening at each stage. Gross motor development follows a predictable sequence, beginning 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 engage their core muscles to sit up independently. From there, your child progresses to army crawling and regular crawling, both of which are crucial for brain development. Finally, they start furniture cruising and take their first steps.
The Missing Piece: The Role of the Neurospinal System
While traditional therapies aim to strengthen muscles and enhance coordination, they often neglect the crucial role of the nervous system, especially the neurospinal system, in gross motor function. To truly address the root cause of neuromuscular or gross motor challenges, it’s essential to focus on the “neuro” component. This is where Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care becomes vital, as it can improve Central Nervous System function in ways that physical and occupational therapy cannot by addressing the root cause.
Subluxation and sympathetic dominance, or increased nerve tone, frequently occur in the neck and neurospinal system. These issues can be caused by a variety of different issues, including the trauma often caused by breech positioning or birth interventions like forceps, vacuum extraction, induction, or c-section. The resulting high tone persists in these areas until it is adjusted and released. Essentially, the underlying cause of “low tone” or a “weak core” is actually tension and subluxation in the neck and neurospinal system.
A Real-Life Example: Joseph’s Story
Let’s talk about Joseph, a 12-year-old boy who sought help with his daily challenges associated with autism, ataxia, and chronic constipation. What caught his doctor’s attention immediately were his significant gross motor delays and struggles.
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. As a result, they had stopped all PT and OT and pretty much “given up” that his gross motor function and posture would ever get back to normal.
However, within the very first week of getting Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care, Joseph’s gross motor function and endurance took off like a rocket. He was asking to go to the gym, work out, hit the treadmill, and go to the park to play! Mom was ecstatic, and so was his doctor.
Embracing the Path Forward: Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care
We know it can be frustrating and concerning If your child has been struggling with gross motor delays and you feel like you’ve tried everything without lasting results, but it’s time to look deeper. Subluxation, excessive sympathetic tone, and the lasting effects of birth trauma, whether it seemed traumatic or not, could still be at play.
At 3T Family Chiropractic, we can help you find out how your child’s gross motor function is doing down to the very core by using Neurological INSiGHT Scans, especially the EMG (which you can read more about in the link provided). Once we have the results of these scans, our doctors can create a fully customized and tailored adjusting care plan made just for your child. This deep down approach can help your little one finally get past that plateau or stuck point 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. Our mission at 3T is to provide hope, empowerment and healing to your family.
Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. By addressing the root cause of your child’s gross motor delays with Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care, you can help them unlock their full potential and thrive. Don’t lose hope – there are solutions available that can make a significant difference in your child’s life, helping them overcome gross motor challenges and reach the milestones they deserve.