💩 Constipation, Tummy Troubles, and the Nervous System Connection
Introduction: More Than Just a “Picky Gut”
If you’re a parent, chances are you’ve dealt with at least one of these common struggles: constipation, reflux, bellyaches, or frequent gas. It’s one of the top concerns we hear about in our pediatric practice here at Solstice Chiropractic in Colorado Springs.
But what most families don’t realize is that tummy troubles are often signs of something deeper—nervous system dysregulation.
If your child struggles with going to the bathroom, has frequent digestive complaints, or just seems uncomfortable in their body, there’s a good chance their nervous system needs attention. And that’s exactly what pediatric chiropractic is designed to support.
Why Constipation Is So Common in Kids Today
Let’s be honest—many kids today are dealing with way more stress, stimulation, and imbalance than their bodies were designed to handle. Between processed foods, school pressure, screen time, antibiotics, and emotional overload, their little systems can get overwhelmed quickly.
Constipation and other digestive struggles are the body’s way of waving a red flag. It's saying: "Something is off, and I need support."
But here’s where most parents get stuck:
You’ve tried prune juice, Miralax, or fiber gummies…
You’ve changed their diet and cut out common irritants…
You’ve even been told by doctors, “It’s normal, they’ll grow out of it.”
But the truth is, kids don’t grow out of nervous system stress—they grow into it. That’s why identifying and correcting the root cause early is so important.
The Nervous System–Gut Connection Explained
The digestive system isn’t just a collection of organs—it’s controlled and regulated by the nervous system. Specifically, the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system (often called the “rest and digest” mode) is responsible for:
Moving food through the GI tract
Coordinating bowel movements
Producing enzymes and digestive secretions
Signaling fullness or hunger appropriately
When the nervous system is stuck in fight-or-flight mode (also known as sympathetic dominance), digestion slows or even shuts down. That’s why kids with nervous system dysregulation often experience:
Delayed or infrequent bowel movements
Gas and bloating
Abdominal pain without cause
Poor appetite or food sensitivity
This is especially common in kids with a history of birth trauma, sensory processing challenges, or stress-related symptoms like anxiety or difficulty sleeping.
How Chiropractic Supports Digestive Health Naturally
Chiropractic care isn’t about treating constipation or digestive disorders directly. Instead, it focuses on removing interference in the nervous system so the body can function the way it was designed to.
At Solstice Chiropractic, we use Insight CLA scans to assess how the brain and body are communicating and identify where stress patterns are interfering with function—often in the lower spine and sacrum, which connect directly to the nerves that regulate the colon and intestines.
Through gentle, specific adjustments, we help:
Restore balance to the autonomic nervous system
Activate the parasympathetic “rest and digest” response
Improve nerve signaling to the digestive organs
Reduce stress and tension stored in the gut
Parents often notice changes like:
“She finally went to the bathroom without pain.”
“He’s not crying and clenching during diaper changes anymore.”
“We haven’t had to use stool softeners in weeks.”
“Her belly isn’t constantly bloated now.”
Even babies as young as a few days old can benefit—especially if they had a difficult birth, trouble latching, or show signs of discomfort early on.
What About Reflux, Gas, and Food Sensitivities?
The nervous system’s impact on digestion doesn’t stop with constipation. It’s deeply involved in:
Reflux – often tied to tension in the diaphragm or upper cervical spine
Excessive gas – due to poor motility and fermentation in the gut
Food sensitivities – when the gut lining is compromised by stress, poor digestion, or immune dysfunction
Frequent spit-up in babies – especially if accompanied by arching or fussiness after feeds
By restoring balance to the nervous system, we give the body a chance to calm inflammation, improve motility, and rebuild proper digestive function from the inside out.
Real Life in the Office: A Common Case We See
One of our Colorado Springs families brought their toddler in after months of constipation, irritability, and waking at night with stomach pain. They had tried diet changes, probiotics, and even prescription medications—but nothing lasted.
After just a few visits and adjustments targeting their child’s sacrum and vagus nerve pathways, the changes were profound:
Bowel movements became regular and easier
Their child started sleeping through the night
The constant belly discomfort disappeared
Mom said, “He just seems so much happier now”
Stories like this are common—and they show just how powerful it can be to address the root of the problem, not just the symptoms.
How to Know If Your Child Might Benefit
Consider scheduling a nervous system evaluation if your child has:
Bowel movements less than once a day
Difficulty passing stool or painful poops
Frequent stomachaches or belly distention
Trouble sleeping or staying asleep
History of birth intervention or NICU stay
Sensory challenges or behavioral outbursts
Been using stool softeners or laxatives long-term
These are not just isolated digestive issues—they’re clues that the nervous system needs support.
Constipation Isn’t Just Inconvenient—It’s a Sign to Pay Attention
At Solstice Chiropractic, we don’t want any parent to feel like they’re stuck managing symptoms with no long-term solution. If your child’s gut is struggling, their nervous system likely is too.
By focusing on the brain-body connection, we help restore proper function from the inside out—gently, naturally, and effectively.
Call to Action
If your child is dealing with constipation or digestive discomfort, schedule an evaluation at Solstice Chiropractic in Colorado Springs. Let’s uncover what’s really going on and create a customized plan to support their gut—and their growth—naturally.
