Why Your Child’s Healing Progress Has Paused — and Why That’s Actually a Good Sign

Has your child been making incredible strides with their neurological development—only to suddenly slow down or even regress? Maybe behaviors you thought were long gone have resurfaced. Sleep has become disrupted again, or emotional outbursts are back.

If you're starting to worry that something is wrong with their care plan or that the progress has stopped for good—take a deep breath. What you’re seeing is not only normal but actually a positive sign of deep neurological healing.

At His Work My Hands Chiropractic, we want you to know: healing is not a straight line. It’s a journey filled with ups, downs, and plateaus. But these pauses in progress? They’re not setbacks—they’re part of the body’s natural way of reorganizing, adapting, and preparing for even greater growth.

You’re Not Alone on This Journey

As a neurologically-focused chiropractic office, we see this every day. Nearly every parent in our practice goes through a similar experience—and it’s backed by science. Research on neuroplasticity shows that the brain is constantly forming new connections and sometimes even generating new neurons. This kind of transformation doesn’t happen all at once. Instead, it follows a pattern of progress, pause, adjust, repeat.

We often describe this as a "two steps forward, one step back" process—and that’s perfectly okay. Let’s break down why these plateaus happen, so you can move forward with confidence and peace of mind.

5 Common Reasons Why Your Child’s Progress May Pause

1. Growth Spurts and Developmental Milestones

When your child hits a major growth phase, their energy is being redirected. Their body is working overtime to build new bones, muscles, and neural pathways. This can lead to:

• Mood swings or irritability

• Trouble sleeping

• Temporary return of old behaviors

Good news: These signs often indicate that your child is integrating new developmental skills. Once their body catches up, progress resumes—often stronger than before.

2. Fever or Illness: Not a Setback, But a Set-Up for Progress

Believe it or not, illnesses—especially those with fevers—can actually support neurological healing. When your child is fighting off a virus, their nervous system is also activating deep healing processes.

During illness:

• The body shifts energy to immune response

• You may notice fatigue, fussiness, or disconnection

• But post-illness, many kids experience big leaps forward

That’s because fevers stimulate special proteins called neurotrophic factors, which promote brain growth and connectivity. So while the downtime can be frustrating, it’s often followed by a breakthrough.

3. Environmental Stress and Toxin Exposure

Children with neurological challenges are especially sensitive to toxins in their environment. Things like:

• Processed foods

• Mold in the home

• Chemical cleaners and air fresheners

• Pesticides or heavy metals

These hidden stressors can put extra strain on the nervous system, slowing down progress. If your child seems stuck, it may be time to look at their surroundings and reduce environmental load wherever possible.

4. Emotional Stress and Life Changes

Big transitions—like starting a new school, moving, or family stress—can send your child’s nervous system into “fight or flight” mode. This stress response:

• Increases stress hormones like cortisol

• Disrupts sleep, focus, and mood

• Can cause regression in behaviors or development

It’s important to recognize that these changes aren’t permanent setbacks. They’re just signs that the nervous system is reallocating its energy to deal with the perceived stress.

5. Therapy Overload and Medication Effects

While therapies and medications have their place, too much too soon can overwhelm a sensitive nervous system. Many medications mute symptoms without addressing the root cause—and when care starts to restore real brain-body communication, some of those buried symptoms may resurface.

That’s why at His Work My Hands Chiropractic, we focus on regulating the nervous system first. Once balance is restored, we can gradually introduce additional therapies in a way that supports—not overloads—your child’s progress.

What It Means for Your Child’s Healing Journey

In almost every case, what looks like a stall or setback is just your child’s nervous system doing important work behind the scenes. Once the stressor—be it illness, growth, toxins, or emotion—passes, most children experience a leap forward in function, behavior, and emotional regulation.

Healing is non-linear, and every step—even the tough ones—is a part of the process.

You’re Doing Better Than You Think

That sleep regression? The sudden clinginess? The meltdowns you thought were behind you? They aren’t signs of failure. They’re signs that your child’s nervous system is reorganizing, releasing old patterns, and gearing up for the next breakthrough.

Think of it like decluttering a room: it often gets messier before it looks beautiful. But once everything’s in place, the results are transformative.

Ready for the Next Step?

If your child is experiencing a plateau—or if you're just beginning your journey and want expert guidance—we're here for you.

At His Work My Hands Chiropractic, we specialize in helping families like yours navigate every phase of the healing process with clarity, confidence, and support.

📞 Call us today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can support your child’s neurological development.

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