Why So Many Kids Are Struggling with Health Today (and the Hidden Cause No One Talks About)

If you’ve ever looked at your child and wondered why they seem to be facing more health challenges than you ever did growing up, you’re not alone. Parents all over the country are asking the same question — and the numbers are alarming.According to the CDC, around 40% of American children are living with at least one chronic illness. Other research suggests the number may be closer to 50% or higher.

From digestive problems and autoimmune conditions to autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, sensory processing struggles, anxiety, epilepsy, and depression, millions of children are facing challenges that impact not just their health, but their ability to thrive in everyday life.

Looking Beyond the Usual Explanations

Traditional medicine often points to genetics or “bad luck” as the culprit, offering medications that may help manage symptoms — but don’t address the root cause. Even holistic or functional medicine approaches can sometimes miss one critical piece of the puzzle.

Yes, toxins, poor nutrition, and overuse of medications and antibiotics all play a role. But what if there’s something even deeper at play — something hiding in plain sight?

When You’ve Tried Everything and Still Don’t Have Answers

If you’re a parent who’s exhausted the list of medications, supplements, dietary changes, detoxes, or even therapies like hyperbaric oxygen — and you still feel like something’s missing — your intuition is probably right.

That “missing link” for so many children is nervous system dysregulation.

The Perfect Storm: How Early Life Stressors Create Lifelong Challenges

At His Work My Hands Chiropractic, we call this “The Perfect Storm” — a combination of early life stressors that overwhelm a child’s developing nervous system:

1. High stress during pregnancyA mother’s stress, whether physical, chemical, or emotional, can directly impact her baby’s developing brain and nervous system.

2. Birth trauma or interventionsC-section, forceps, vacuum delivery, inductions, or cord complications can put significant strain on an infant’s spine and nervous system.

3. Early exposure to medications, toxins, and stressorsAntibiotics, environmental toxins, and sensory overload from screens or technology can disrupt the nervous and immune systems.

When these factors stack together, a child’s nervous system can get “stuck” in a constant state of fight-or-flight, leaving their body in survival mode instead of growth and development mode.

How Nervous System Dysregulation Shows Up at Different Ages

• Infants: colic, reflux, excessive fussiness

• Toddlers: meltdowns, sensory overwhelm, trouble with transitions

• School-aged kids: focus and attention challenges, impulsivity, frequent illnesses

• Teens: anxiety, depression, difficulty coping with stress

These aren’t just phases to “grow out of.” They’re red flags that your child’s nervous system is struggling.

The Domino Effect on the Body

When the nervous system is stuck in overdrive (dysautonomia), it affects every major body system:

• Digestive system: slowed motility, constipation, reflux, poor nutrient absorption

• Immune system: hypersensitivity, chronic inflammation, recurring illnesses

• Sensory and motor systems: coordination challenges, speech delays, sensory processing issues

Why Most Approaches Don’t Solve the Problem

Medications target symptoms. Even many natural approaches focus on isolated systems — the gut, the immune system, or inflammation — without addressing the control center of the body: the nervous system.

Standard medical tests don’t pick up on nervous system imbalance. But with our INSiGHT Scanning Technology, we can measure exactly how your child’s autonomic nervous system is functioning — and find the root cause of their struggles.

A Path Toward Healing

The great news? Nervous system function can be restored. Through gentle, specific neurologically-focused chiropractic adjustments, we help the brain and body shift out of fight-or-flight and back into rest, growth, and healing.

Parents often notice changes like:

• Better sleep

• Improved digestion

• Stronger immunity

• Fewer meltdowns

• More focus and emotional resilience

These aren’t just surface improvements — they’re signs that your child’s nervous system is coming back into balance.

Trust Your Instincts

If you feel like there’s something more going on with your child’s health — even if no one else sees it yet — trust yourself. You know your child best.

At His Work My Hands Chiropractic, we specialize in helping families uncover and address the root cause of health struggles so kids can thrive, not just get by.

📅 Schedule a consultation today to see how we can help your child’s nervous system function at its best. If you’re not local, visit the PX Docs Directory to find a provider near you.

Your child’s body was designed to heal. Sometimes, it just needs the right help to do so.