PEDIATRIC DEVELOPMENT

Your child’s brain and body are developing at a rapid pace—and the quality of that development depends on how well their nervous system is organizing sensory input, motor output, and postural control. From infancy through adolescence, every milestone builds on the last. When neurologic interference or delays are present, it can lead to struggles with movement, coordination, learning, behavior, or regulation down the road.

At Vital Balance, we specialize in identifying and correcting the neurologic imbalances that may be disrupting your child’s development. Our goal isn’t just to manage symptoms—we aim to support optimal brain-body connection so your child can grow, adapt, and thrive.

Our Approach to Pediatric Development:

1. Functional Neurologic and Developmental Assessment
We begin with a gentle, non-invasive evaluation of your child’s neurologic and sensory-motor systems. Depending on age, this may include:

• Developmental milestone tracking

• Gait and postural tone analysis

• Vestibular and proprioceptive mapping

• Eye movement and visual tracking

• Brainstem, cerebellar, and frontal lobe function screening

2. Our Three Core Neurologic Priorities
At Vital Balance, we focus on three foundational neurologic systems that are essential for proper pediatric development:

1. Eye Movement Coordination
Eye tracking is a window into overall brain development. The ability to smoothly follow, fixate, and shift gaze is a direct reflection of how well the cerebellum, brainstem, and frontal cortex are communicating. Eye movement dysfunction can often precede challenges in reading, attention, and coordination.

2. The Righting Reflex
This vital reflex keeps the head and eyes level with the horizon and is present from birth. It plays a critical role in posture, balance, spatial awareness, and frontal lobe development. If the righting reflex is underdeveloped or unintegrated, a child may exhibit slumped posture, poor coordination, or difficulty with emotional and cognitive regulation.

3. Cross-Crawl Neurologic Sequencing
Cross-crawl patterns—where opposite sides of the body move rhythmically in coordination—are foundational for building hemispheric communication and developing motor planning. If this sequencing is disrupted, children may struggle with balance, coordination, attention, and integration of higher brain functions like speech or reading.

3. Upper Cervical & Structural Correction
Even subtle misalignments in the upper neck (C1/C2) can disrupt brainstem function and delay neurologic development. These often stem from birth trauma, falls, or prolonged postural strain (such as from screen time or poor crawling patterns).

We use gentle, low-force chiropractic adjustments designed specifically for infants and children to help restore alignment, reduce neurologic interference, and support proper sensory processing and postural control.

This process enhances:

• Core strength and coordination

• Emotional regulation and calm

• Attention span and learning capacity

• Overall body awareness and confidence

We work with infants, children, and teens who experience:

• Developmental delays or skipped milestones

• Retained primitive reflexes or clumsiness

• Speech delays or reading difficulties

• ADHD, anxiety, or emotional dysregulation

• Poor posture or toe walking

• Torticollis, plagiocephaly, or birth trauma

Why This Approach Matters
The nervous system controls everything—from movement to mood, speech to sleep, digestion to attention. When the brain and body aren’t communicating efficiently, a child’s development can stall or become disorganized. By identifying and correcting these patterns early, we help lay a stronger foundation for lifelong health, confidence, and adaptability.

If your child’s development feels delayed, uncoordinated, or “off,” there is often a deeper neurologic explanation—and a clear path forward.

Schedule a pediatric consultation today, and let’s work together to help your child reach their full potential—one neurologic milestone at a time.