Seizures & The Nervous System: A New Lens for Parents Seeking Hope & Healing

Understanding the deeper causes of seizures—and how restoring balance to the nervous system may change everything.

It’s one of the scariest moments a parent can face. Your child’s body tenses. Their eyes roll back. They begin to convulse, and all you can do is watch.

You feel helpless.

And when the hospital visit ends with an epilepsy diagnosis, everything changes. Your mind spins with questions:
...Will this keep happening?
...Will they have to be on medication forever?
...Will my child ever live a 'normal' life?

If you're here, searching for a deeper understanding and a different path—you’re not alone. At Connect Chiropractic, we want to help families uncover a potential reason why seizures are happening and what can be done to support the nervous system naturally.

What Is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder where the brain experiences sudden bursts of abnormal electrical activity—called seizures. These events can vary in length and severity. Some kids simply “zone out” for a few seconds. Others may fall, shake, or lose consciousness.

There are several types of seizures:

• Generalized seizures affect both sides of the brain.

• Focal seizures begin in one specific area.

• Unknown onset seizures are harder to classify initially.

Some children are diagnosed with epilepsy syndromes like Childhood Absence Epilepsy or Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy, which include specific patterns of seizures, behaviours, and age of onset.

In most cases, parents are told epilepsy is a lifelong condition that requires medication or surgery. But more and more, research and real-world clinical experience are showing that this isn’t always true.

So, Can Kids Outgrow Epilepsy?

Yes, many can. But not by accident.

Children outgrow seizures when the nervous system regains its ability to self-regulate. For some, this happens on its own. But for many, chronic stress and hidden dysfunctions within the nervous system need to be identified and addressed first.

That’s where our approach comes in.

“The Perfect Storm”: Where It All Begins

While genetics can play a role in some cases of childhood epilepsy, research shows that many cases are influenced by a mix of environmental stressors that affect how the nervous system develops. In our office, we call this combination of stressors “The Perfect Storm.”

It often starts early—even before birth.

During pregnancy, if a mother experiences high levels of stress or anxiety, her body produces stress hormones like cortisol. These hormones can cross the placenta and impact the baby’s developing nervous system. This early exposure can “hardwire” the nervous system to become more sensitive or reactive, increasing the risk for neurological issues later on.

Then comes the birth process, which can be another major stressor. Interventions like C-sections, forceps deliveries, or vacuum extractions—while sometimes necessary—can put strain on the baby’s neck and spine. This can lead to a subluxation, or misalignment in the spine, which disrupts how the brain and body communicate. When this communication is off, the nervous system can’t regulate properly.

After birth, other stressors can build on top of that:

• Emotional stress or trauma

• Poor nutrition or feeding difficulties

• Exposure to toxins or chemicals

• Repeated use of antibiotics, which can damage gut health and the gut-brain connection

All of these stressors can overwhelm the nervous system, pushing the child into a constant “fight or flight” state. When this stress mode becomes the body’s default setting, it leads to something called dysautonomia—an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system. This system controls many of the body’s vital functions like sleep, digestion, immune function, and yes—even seizure activity.

The Role of Subluxation and Nervous System Stress

When we understand how “The Perfect Storm” impacts the nervous system, we can look at epilepsy from a new angle. Instead of only trying to manage seizures with medication or surgery, we can ask: 

What’s causing the nervous system to misfire in the first place?
Where is the disconnection—and how can we restore it?

The connection between subluxation, dysautonomia, nervous system dysregulation, and epilepsy lies in the intricate interplay of spinal health and nervous system function.

A subluxation is a misalignment or dysfunction of the vertebrae that disrupts the communication and leads to a disconnection between the brain and body by placing abnormal stress on the nervous system. 

This disruption can lead to dysautonomia, an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) that impairs essential bodily functions such as heart rate, digestion, and respiratory control. Subluxations, particularly in the brainstem and upper neck region, can create chronic stress and interfere with autonomic balance, pushing the nervous system into a state of sympathetic dominance and resulting in nervous system dysregulation. 

This chronic state of stress lowers the body’s ability to maintain equilibrium and can increase susceptibility to neurological conditions, such as epilepsy, characterized by recurrent seizures triggered by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. 

Additionally, the vagus nerve, which plays a critical role in calming the brain and preventing excessive excitability, may become impaired due to subluxation or ANS imbalance. This dysfunction can further exacerbate or trigger seizures, highlighting the profound impact that spinal and nervous system health can have on overall neurological stability.

The Conventional Medical Approach

When a child experiences a seizure, the standard medical approach focuses on diagnosis and symptom management. The goal is typically to identify the type of seizure and reduce how often it happens, rather than address its root cause.

The diagnostic process often includes:

• Medical history: Reviewing developmental milestones, any family history of seizures, and past injuries or infections.

• Neurological exam: A physical check-up to assess reflexes, muscle tone, coordination, and cognitive function.

• EEG (Electroencephalogram): A test that records electrical activity in the brain to identify abnormal patterns linked to seizures.

• Imaging tests: MRI or CT scans may be used to detect structural issues in the brain.

Once epilepsy is diagnosed, the primary form of treatment is anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). These medications help calm the brain by reducing the excitability of nerve cells. Common AEDs include:

• Valproic acid

• Levetiracetam

• Carbamazepine

• Lamotrigine

While these drugs can reduce seizure frequency, they often come with side effects such as:

• Drowsiness or fatigue

• Dizziness and poor coordination

• Nausea and digestive upset

• Mood swings or irritability

• Difficulty with memory and concentration

If seizures are not well-managed through medication, other conventional options might be recommended, including:

• Epilepsy surgery: In cases where seizures originate from a specific brain region, surgery may be considered to remove that area.

• Ketogenic diet: A high-fat, low-carb diet that has shown promise in reducing seizures for some children.

• Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS): A small device implanted under the skin sends regular impulses to the vagus nerve, helping regulate brain activity.

While these approaches may help manage symptoms, they don’t directly resolve the underlying neurological dysfunction that may be contributing to the seizures in the first place.

A Nervous System First Approach

At Connect Chiropractic, we don’t treat epilepsy—and that’s not our goal.

Instead, we focus on identifying the root cause of nervous system imbalance and supporting the body’s ability to regulate and heal—naturally.

We begin with INSiGHT scans—a set of gentle, non-invasive tests that show how well your child’s nervous system is functioning. These scans help us detect subluxations, patterns of stress, and areas where the nervous system may be out of balance.

Based on the findings, we create and customized care plan that is designed to deliver neurologically-focused chiropractic corrections—precise, gentle adjustments designed to restore calm, balance, and communication within the nervous system. Over time, this often leads to improved regulation, better quality of life, and in some cases, a significant reduction—or even resolution—of seizures.

Not because we’re treating the seizures directly, but because we’re working to remove stress and interference from the body’s central and autonomic nervous system, allowing it to function the way it was designed to.

Here’s an example of a NeuroCORE EMG Study from a child who was experiencing seizures before beginning care.

The red and black bars you see across the neurospinal system represent high levels of sympathetic stress and tension—a sign that the child’s nervous system was in a state of overwhelm. This pattern reflects neurological dysfunction, often linked to subluxation, where spinal misalignments disrupt brain-body communication.

If you look closely at the bottom left scan, you’ll also notice a clear imbalance between the right and left sides of the brain. This kind of asymmetry is a common “neurological confusion” pattern we often see in children with seizure disorders. It’s a sign that the brain is having trouble coordinating and regulating properly.

Our goal with care is to reduce this imbalance, calm the nervous system, and restore proper communication between the brain and body. By removing stress and interference through gentle, neurologically-focused chiropractic adjustments, we support the body’s ability to self-regulate—helping kids find more balance, clarity, and calm from the inside out.

Lifestyle Support: Creating the Right Environment for Healing

At Connect Chiropractic, we believe that neurologically-focused care lays the foundation—but lifestyle and daily habits help build long-term balance and resilience in the nervous system.

When it comes to children with epilepsy or neurological challenges, reducing stress and supporting regulation are key.

Stress is one of the biggest triggers for seizures and nervous system dysfunction. That’s why we work with families to create calm, consistent routines that help the body feel safe and supported. A few simple practices that can make a big difference:

• Prioritizing consistent, quality sleep

• Gentle movement, such as stretching or yoga

• Getting regular physical activity and playtime

• Limiting screen time and overstimulation

The Role of Nutrition in Brain and Nervous System Health

What your child eats matters—especially for their nervous system. Certain foods can fuel regulation, while others can contribute to inflammation or excitability in the brain.

We often recommend:

• A nutrient-dense diet rich in whole foods like fruits, vegetables, clean proteins, and healthy fats

• Avoiding processed foods, refined sugars, and artificial additives

• Identifying and removing possible food sensitivities or allergens

• For some families, exploring a ketogenic diet with professional guidance

Gut Health and the Gut-Brain Connection

The gut and brain are deeply connected. An unhealthy gut can increase inflammation, reduce immune function, and send stress signals to the brain. For many children, improving gut health is a critical step toward better neurological function.

To support a healthy gut, we may suggest:

• Probiotic-rich foods (like yogurt, kefir, or fermented veggies)

• Gut-healing foods (like bone broth or collagen-rich meals)

• Supplementation if necessary, based on individual needs

Our goal is to help families create the kind of environment—inside and out—that supports healing, regulation, and lifelong health. A strong balanced nervous system is the foundation, but simple, consistent lifestyle shifts are the habits that carry your child forward.

There Is Hope. And It Starts with Connection. 

Epilepsy can be a daunting diagnosis for any parent to face—but it is not a life sentence.

While the conventional medical model often presents epilepsy as something to manage long-term with medications or surgery, at Connect Chiropractic, we offer a different perspective—one grounded in hope, healing, and the understanding that many children can outgrow their seizures by restoring balance to the nervous system.

It’s important to note: we are not here to replace your current care plan or medical treatments.
Instead, our goal is to support the body and nervous system, so it can function more clearly, communicate more efficiently, and begin to heal—naturally.

By recognizing the “Perfect Storm” of factors that contribute to nervous system dysfunction—and by addressing these root causes through gentle, neurologically-focused chiropractic care and supportive lifestyle changes—we help build a stronger foundation for long-term health, development, and resilience.

If you’re a parent of a child with epilepsy, know this:
You are not alone—and there is hope for a brighter future.

Reach out today to take the first step toward clarity, connection, and healing.
We’re here to walk with you—every step of the way.