So many moms find chiropractic care when their baby is breech (and we’re so happy you do!). 🫶 But what if we told you there’s more to the story than a breech baby turning?! Yes, we want those babies to be head down! AND the coolest thing about Neurologically-Focused Prenatal Chiropractic is that WE ACTUALLY DON’T TURN BABIES!! We just wanted to make that extra clear. 😉

Watch this video to learn what’s actually happening… We’ll give you a little SPOILER ALERT! It’s YOUR nervous system!! Which is actually the coolest thing about Neurologically-Focused Prenatal Chiropractic Care. 🤩 It helps you AND YOUR GROWING BABY’S nervous system regulate!! This is the #1 priority when it comes to pregnancy because your nervous system function is the blueprint for your child’s nervous system, setting them up for their life! 🤓

Watch now 🎥 + tag a mama who needs to hear this!

#pxdocs / chiropractic while pregnant / chiropractic and breech babies / postpartum / birth prep / tips for shorter labors / subluxation / nervous system regulation

As a parent, you want to give your newborn the absolute best start in life. 💛 But what many parents don’t realize is that even the most “normal” birth can place tremendous stress on your baby’s delicate nervous system… And that stress doesn’t always show up in obvious ways.

In the U.S., 1 in 5 deliveries involve C-sections, and many others include interventions like vacuum extraction or forceps. Even without those, the physical process of birth like twisting, compression, and traction, places immense force on the upper neck and nervous system of a newborn. Positioning in utero, the placement of the cord, and other factors also play a role! Even if baby has no manual assistance, birth is still a crazy athletic event for both mom and baby. That’s why so many parents find themselves in those tough early days facing nonstop crying, trouble latching, reflux, colic, or restless sleep—told again and again that these are just “normal baby things” that they’ll grow out of. 😣

But what if those signs aren’t just part of the newborn phase? What if they’re your baby’s way of saying, “My nervous system is stressed, and I need help”? 🚨

And here’s what we know as pediatric chiropractors to be true:

➡️ Birth trauma can affect ALL babies, not just those with “complicated” deliveries. ➡️ Subluxation and neurological interference can interfere with your baby’s ability to eat, sleep, poop, move, and grow well. ➡️ The vagus nerve, which controls digestion, sleep, and regulation, is especially vulnerable during birth. Dysfunction here can lead to colic, reflux, constipation, poor sleep, and more. ➡️ Colic, reflux, latching issues, and sleep problems are often signs of a dysregulated nervous system, not just “normal baby behavior.”

The first year of life is the most critical window of neurological development. 🧠 When we support and protect the nervous system early, we create the foundation for better immunity, stronger regulation, more restful sleep, optimal digestion, and healthy development.

Don’t wait until “they grow out of it.” Visit the link in our bio to learn more, and let’s give your baby the best start now. 🥰

#pxdocs

We live in a world that runs on stress. Deadlines, traffic, screens, sugar, caffeine, doom scrolling, true crime TV, overstimulation… It all pushes our bodies into constant fight-or-flight. The scary part is that many of us have been living in this state for so long that our body thinks it’s normal. 😩

Your child may be stuck in the same pattern, too. ⚠️ Difficulty focusing, meltdowns, emotional outbursts, anxiety, or constant motion… These are all signs of a cortisol-addicted system.

Cortisol addiction happens when your body becomes dependent on stress hormones just to function. The sympathetic nervous system (the "go-go-go" side) becomes dominant, while the parasympathetic system (the "rest-digest-heal" side) shuts down. And the more this pattern continues, the harder it becomes to break.

It often starts way earlier than you think. 🤰🏻 Fertility and pregnancy stress, along with birth interventions like forceps, vacuum extraction, C-sections, and inductions can cause physical stress to a baby’s brainstem and upper neck. This trauma disrupts the vagus nerve and sends the child into a sympathetic dominant state, even before day one. It may start as colic or reflux… But by school age, it looks like ADHD, sensory processing struggles, or anxiety.

We’ve seen this over and over in our practice. Families caught in the same neurological stress loop. The child is on meds. The parent runs on energy drinks. Both bodies running on fumes.

At AFW, we get down to the root cause of cortisol addiction, a dysregulated nervous system. 🪫 We look for areas of stress, imbalance, and subluxation that are keeping your body constantly stuck on stress. Then, with gentle, neurologically-focused adjustments, we begin to release that stress, and the nervous system starts to become adaptable and resilient. 👏 Because when you reset the nervous system—you reset the entire family. 🥹

If you're tired of feeling tired, your child is struggling to focus, sleep, or regulate emotions, and you're done masking the signs and ready to get to the root cause… Watch this full video, visit the link in our bio, and let’s get your family back on track! 💪

#pxdocs

We’ve all been there. You’re in the checkout line, your toddler is having a meltdown, and all eyes seem to be on you. Later, it’s a battle to get them into bed, only for them to lie awake for hours. 😩 These moments aren’t just “bad behavior” or “strong-willed” personalities. More often than not, what you’re witnessing is a dysregulated nervous system in action.

The truth is, our kids are growing up in a world their bodies are fighting against. Nonstop screen time, jam-packed schedules, processed foods, and environmental stressors. It’s creating an epidemic of nervous system overload, and we’re seeing it show up in skyrocketing rates of anxiety, sensory issues, emotional meltdowns, and behavioral challenges. And parents? We’re left feeling helpless, exhausted, and unsure of what to do next.

Too often, the only solutions offered are medications 💊 or waiting it out. In this video, Dr. Sheppard walks us through six evidence-based strategies that have helped countless families in our practice find more peace, more connection, and more regulation, without relying solely on medications or therapy.

When these tips are combined with regular Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care, these simple daily actions form the regulation foundation for your child’s nervous system.

We’ve seen it firsthand in our practice. Parents who’ve tried “everything else” finally begin to see progress when they focus on supporting the root of the issue—nervous system function.

You are not alone! And your child doesn’t have to live in a state of chronic stress. Let’s help their nervous system thrive. DM us! We would love to hear your child’s story! 🫶

#pxdocs / nervous system regulation tips / vagus nerve stimulation / cold plunge / breathing exercises to calm down / box breathing / how to regulate nervous system / dysautonomia / subluxation

Being a mom is literally the coolest gig in the world! But sometimes it feels like we’re running on empty. 😅 From dropping kids off at practice to grocery shopping to feeling behind on work so we could go on that field trip and everything else in between. It’s hard to slow down and take a deep breath. So as moms, what can we do to be the most adaptable in our busy day?!

In this video, Dr. Sheppard explains how we can get to the root causes of mom exhaustion and shares some practical tips to help us prioritize our health so that we can pour from a full cup and serve our families, and not be completely exhausted! 🔋

For next steps, DM us! And visit the link in our bio to read our “Exhausted Mom’s Survival Guide!” ♥️

#pxdocs #mothersday #motherhood #adrenalfatigue #adrenalcocktail #sleepygirlmocktail / #newmom #newbornmother / How to survive as a new mom / Lack of sleep / How to get more sleep as a mom / Holistic remedies for sleep

It’s 10 PM. The kids are finally asleep. The dishes are still in the sink, your to-do list is still a mile long, and your shoulders haven’t relaxed all day. You're running on empty, and somehow… You still can’t fall asleep. 😩

Sound familiar? This isn’t just burnout. It’s a chronically stressed nervous system crying out for help!!

You’ve done it all for your child: specialists, therapy appointments, supplements, diet changes. But how about your own health?! It’s been on the back burner for far too long! 💪

What if your healing is exactly what your child needs? 👏

In this video, Dr. Sheppard is diving into something rarely talked about: How your nervous system directly affects your child’s ability to heal and regulate. Through something called neurological co-regulation, your child’s system is constantly picking up cues from yours. If your system is stuck in survival mode, theirs likely is too.

At AFW, we specialize in Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care that addresses the root cause of chronic stress and exhaustion: subluxation and dysautonomia — neurological dysfunction that keeps your body locked in fight-or-flight. 🥊

From deeper sleep and less anxiety to boosted energy and a calmer household, we’ve watched taking care of the nervous system completely change lives. When your nervous system is functioning well, your entire family feels it!!

That being said, Mom and Dad, it’s your turn! And it’s totally not selfish! You are helping your whole family regulate! To read more, click the link in our bio! And let’s get you scanned this time! 🤩

#pxdocs #adrenalfatigue / vagus nerve / autonomic dysfunction / tired parents / stressed out moms / exhausted parents

We are diving deep into how chiropractic care has truly changed our lives.

Dr. Sheppard and Dr. Kylie sit down and discuss how their paths intertwined and the effect that starting a chiropractic journey has had on their relationship, career, and overall wellness.

Tune in to see how the patient becomes the doctor.

Website: https://forsythdecaturchiropractor.com

IG: @alignedfamilywellnesschiro

TikTok: @alignedfamilywellness

Facebook: Aligned Family Wellness Chiropractic and Acupuncture

Welcome back to the Align Family Wellness Podcast! In this episode, Dr. Kim Sheppard—pediatric and prenatal chiropractor, as well as an internationally board-certified lactation consultant—dives into a topic that’s near and dear to her heart: chiropractic wellness care.

Many people think chiropractic care is just about pain relief, but the truth is, it’s a holistic approach that enhances your overall health, mobility, and nervous system function. Dr. Sheppard breaks down why wellness care is just as essential as routine dental cleanings—helping prevent future issues before they arise.

Tune in to learn:

✅ What chiropractic wellness care really is

✅ How it improves posture, mobility, immunity, and stress levels

✅ Why ongoing care is a game-changer for long-term vitality

If you’ve ever wondered whether you should continue chiropractic care after your initial pain is gone, this episode is for you!

🎧 Listen now and take the first step toward lasting wellness.