What Causes Subluxation? Understanding the Root of Nervous System Dysfunction in Children
When your child’s nervous system is stressed, subluxation can develop — disrupting brain-body communication and contributing to developmental, digestive, immune, and behavioral challenges.
Dr. Danika Phillips
October 8, 2025
4 min read
As parents, you deserve real answers about your child's health. When conventional medicine falls short of explaining why your child is struggling, understanding subluxation can be the missing piece of the puzzle.
What Is Subluxation?
Subluxation is a neurological dysfunction that affects how the brain and body communicate. It’s made up of three interconnected components:
Misalignment — Altered positioning in the neurospinal system.
Fixation & Restricted Motion — Abnormal tension reducing range of motion.
Neurological Interference — Disrupted communication between the brain and body.
When subluxation occurs, it interferes with your nervous system’s ability to coordinate all body functions. This can lead to symptoms that may seem unrelated — until you understand the nervous system connection.
What Causes Subluxation? “The Perfect Storm”
Children are especially vulnerable to developing subluxation due to what we call The Perfect Storm — a combination of physical, chemical, and emotional stressors that overwhelm their developing nervous systems.
Before Birth
Maternal stress during fertility journey or pregnancy
Elevated stress hormones affecting fetal nervous system development
Even “normal” vaginal delivery can cause misalignments
After Birth
Childhood illnesses and antibiotic overuse
Falls and injuries during play and sports
Poor posture and excessive screen time
Environmental toxins and chemical exposures
Emotional stress and overstimulation
The Physical Component
Physical trauma is one of the most common causes of subluxation:
Acute injuries from falls, sports, or accidents
Repetitive strain from poor posture and screens
Accumulated micro-traumas that build up over time
Think about how many times your toddler fell while learning to walk — or how many hours your child sits hunched over a device. These repetitive stresses add up, creating long-term effects on posture, muscle tone, and neurological function.
The Hidden Factors
Toxins
Environmental pollutants, processed foods, and medications can activate the body’s stress response — tightening muscles and leading to subluxation patterns.
Emotional Stress
Chronic stress activates the sympathetic (“fight or flight”) nervous system, creating muscle tension that pulls the spine out of alignment. Over time, this stress-loop becomes a vicious cycle that keeps the nervous system stuck in survival mode.
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The Impact on Your Child’s Health
Subluxation tends to affect systems in this order:
Motor Function — Delays in movement and coordination
Digestive Function — Slowed motility, reflux, constipation
Immune Function — Chronic inflammation and weakened defense
At the core is disrupted proprioception — the body’s ability to sense movement and position. When spinal joints lose proper motion, brain-body communication falters, impacting how the nervous system develops and regulates.
The Connection to Autonomic Dysfunction
Subluxations in the upper neck and brainstem can interfere with the vagus nerve, leading to dysautonomia — an imbalance between “fight or flight” and “rest and digest.”
This can show up as:
Digestive issues (constipation, reflux, diarrhea)
Chronic inflammation or frequent illness
Anxiety, sensory sensitivity, or poor emotional regulation
When the vagus nerve isn’t functioning properly, the body stays stuck in fight-or-flight mode instead of returning to balance and recovery.
How We Identify and Address Subluxation
At Fika Chiropractic, we use advanced technology to objectively measure nervous system function:
HRV scans — Assess how well your nervous system adapts to stress
Thermal scans — Reveal areas of autonomic imbalance
sEMG scans — Detect nerve interference and muscle tension
Combined with a detailed health history, these tools allow us to see the full picture of your child’s neurological health.
Our gentle, neuro-tonal adjustments help restore proper communication between the brain and body — addressing the root cause rather than simply managing symptoms.
Research by Dr. Heidi Haavik shows that chiropractic adjustments create real, measurable changes in brain function, coordination, and adaptability.
The Bottom Line
With nearly half of today’s children facing chronic health challenges, we can no longer blame genetics alone. Understanding subluxation empowers you to take proactive steps to support your family’s health.
By addressing subluxation through neurologically-focused chiropractic care, you’re not just treating symptoms — you’re helping your child’s body heal, grow, and thrive the way it was designed to.
Ready to learn if subluxation is affecting your child's health?
Schedule a comprehensive neurological assessment at Fika Chiropractic today.
