As a mom, you absolutely know your baby best!! So when a provider tells you at every checkup that they’re “perfectly healthy,” your gut may be telling you something completely different. That something is off or isn’t quite right. Maybe it’s the constant fussiness, the fact that they are struggling to sleep, or the nonstop reflux or constipation. You’ve voiced your concerns, only to hear it’s all “normal.” 😩

But what if those signs aren’t just quirks or phases? What if they’re actually neurological? 🧠

Recent research from the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association found that 99% of newborns, even those considered healthy, exhibit signs of somatic dysfunction. What does this mean? That subtle but significant physical stress can disrupt nervous system function from day one! 🤯 This hidden stress can start as early as pregnancy and compound during birth, especially in cases involving long labors, interventions like forceps or C-section, or prenatal stress.

This kind of stress doesn’t always show up in standard pediatric exams. That’s because most well-baby checkups are designed to track growth and milestones, not neurological function.

I know this all sounds crazy, right?! That this many providers have potentially missed what 99% of babies are struggling with. BUT at the same time, maybe this is exactly what you needed to hear as a mama. We know we did!

Listen to this video from Dr. Sheppard to learn even more, AND how our team can help! ❣️

#pxdocs #colickybaby #birthtrauma / newborn tips / baby chiropractic adjustments / baby constipation / sleep tips for newborn

You trained and prepared for pregnancy and birth, which is exactly what you are supposed to do! And there are so many resources provided for that season! BUT what about after baby arrives?? How do we heal and recover?? 🫣

Most women enter the fourth trimester completely under-supported. After months of physical changes and the intensity of labor, the body and nervous system go through massive shifts in a very short period of time. 🤱

Which is why Dr. Sheppard created this podcast! For moms like us who desperately need to know exactly what to do when navigating all of the postpartum life struggles like sleep disruption, breastfeeding or latch challenges, pelvic healing, or emotional dysregulation. ‼️

We don’t want your postpartum journey to just be about a 6-week checkup and cold compresses. We want you to have a fully regulated and healed nervous system and know the reality of postpartum. You just brought life into the world!!! We are so proud of you and want you to have the best recovery possible. To read more, visit the link in our bio!!! 💗

#pxdocs #postpartum / baby blues / tips for postpartum moms

Your child’s scans are looking better, which is a HUGE win! 🙌

But… the meltdowns? Still happening. The sensory struggles? Still strong. The digestive issues? Still showing up.

You’re wondering: “Is this even working?” The answer is YES, and Dr. Sheppard explains exactly why in this video! Watch now!

Spoiler Alert!!! 📣 True healing doesn’t start on the outside; it starts in the nervous system. 🧠 It starts where dysfunction began, at the neurological level! These scans are showing the very first signs of regulation and recovery.

If you’ve felt discouraged by the gap between scans and signs, this video is the encouragement and science you need to keep going. Healing doesn’t happen in a straight line. But it does happen… From the inside out.

Click the link in our bio to learn more about INSiGHT Scans, neurological healing, and how to trust your child’s timeline. 👏 And if you ever have any questions like this one, reach out!! We want you to get all of the clarity and for it all to make sense! 🫶

Does it feel like you’ve tried everything for your child? Special diets. Supplements. Detoxes. Therapy after therapy… But the digestive issues still flare up. The anxiety still spikes. The meltdowns, the sleepless nights, the focus struggles, they just don’t let up. And no one seems to have a straight answer. 😔 It’s exhausting trying everything and still not finding the answers you’ve been searching for. So let’s pause and see if we can truly get down to the root cause.

It’s the vagus nerve!! And no, we don’t just mean deep breathing exercises, cold plunges, or humming. All of that is awesome, BUT you have to heal the vagus nerve before it can regulate the body.

Many of us AND our kiddos are going through what we call vagus nerve dysfunction. Something that many providers are still missing. Listen to this podcast from Dr. Sheppard to learn how we can help! And visit the link in our bio to find out more! 🤩

#pxdocs #vagusnerve #dysautonomia / nervous system regulation tips / deep breathing

If you’re doing all the things like sleeping (kind of), eating clean, taking your supplements, working out, and STILL feel exhausted, foggy, moody, bloated, or like your hormones are completely off… This video is for YOU. 👇

Sometimes we feel like all of these symptoms are just the “norm,” especially for our age and as parents, BUT maybe they’re not normal at all! Maybe they’re just common because a lot of people are going through this exact challenge! 👀

Symptoms like:

➡️ Fatigue that sleep doesn’t fix 😴 ➡️ Mood swings and brain fog 😶‍🌫️ ➡️ Digestive drama and bloating 💩 ➡️ Hormone imbalances and weight changes ⚖️ ➡️ Anxiety that hits out of nowhere 😟

Watch this video from Dr. Sheppard to hear the secret behind all of these symptoms and get to the root cause! We’ll give you a hint: it’s a MAJOR overlooked issue: HPA Axis Dysfunction. This is a breakdown in the stress communication loop between your brain and your adrenal glands.

Most conventional doctors either don’t look for this, or they call it “normal” stress. 🫠 But what we know from the science (and what we see every day in our practice!) is that when the nervous system gets stuck in survival mode, everything else, from hormones to sleep to energy, falls apart.

You don’t need another band-aid. You need a full-body reboot that starts with your nervous system. Watch this video and then DM us if you have any questions or are ready to get your nervous system scanned! 🤩

#pxdocs #hormonalregulation / tips to regulate cycle / insulin resistance / adrenal fatigue / cortisol addiction

You’re not lazy. You’re not broken. And no, you don’t need another energy drink or fourth shot of espresso!! ☕

If you’ve tried every sleep hack, supplement, smoothie, and 5 AM workout but still feel like you’re dragging yourself through the day on caffeine and willpower alone, this message from Dr. Sheppard is totally and completely for you! 🙌

You’re likely not dealing with a motivation issue. Your body is instead stuck in survival mode because your nervous system is stuck there, too. 😩

Here's what we have to understand first! Your nervous system is the master regulator of your energy, focus, hormones, sleep, digestion, literally everything!! And when it’s in constant “fight or flight” mode (hello, parenting!), no amount of rest, vitamins, or meditation can override it.

Chronic stress, birth trauma, screen time overload, relationship shifts, carrying toddlers around like kettlebells… it all adds up. These are the “3 T’s” we talk about: Trauma, Toxins, and Thoughts! And they silently push your nervous system into overdrive and burnout. 😩

What most healthcare providers miss is that this is neurological. Not just nutritional. Not just emotional. And definitely not just "being a tired parent."

Parents, it's time to stop surviving and start thriving. You deserve more than burnout. You deserve brain clarity, emotional balance, and energy that lasts. 💛

Click the link in our bio to learn how to finally feel like YOU again with science, strategy, and support that actually works. 🤩

#pxdocs #dysautonomia #adrenalfatigue #cortisoladdiction / POTS / tips to boost energy

Your child’s nervous system is doing A LOT behind the scenes… 🧠

Teething, growth spurts, immune flares, emotional outbursts, seasonal changes, every single one of these can throw off your child’s regulation, mood, sleep, digestion, and more.

As parents, it’s easy to chalk it up to “just a phase” or “something going around,” but what if there’s actually something deeper going on... 👀 These challenges aren’t always random. They can actually be signals. 🚨 Signals that your child’s nervous system is working overtime to keep up with all the change, growth, and stress.

And that’s where our “boost adjustments” come in. These extra adjustments give your child’s nervous system the support it needs when it needs it most... Right in the middle of the storm! 👏

Whether they’re fighting a bug, hitting a major developmental milestone, or navigating a tough transition at school, boost adjustments are like a reset button for the nervous system, helping your child recover faster, stay regulated, and continue growing stronger!

This one’s for all of our current AFW tribe! Watch this video from your favorite Dr. Sheppard and find out when your child needs to schedule a boost adjustment! 🤩

#pxdocs #pediatricchiropractic / boost immune system / kids sports / kids sports injuries / fever / baby milestones / growth spurts

Has your child been making amazing progress… And now it feels like everything’s stalled? Or even slipping backwards?!

As Neurologically-Focused Pediatric Chiropractors, we see this more often than you may think, and it’s one of the most misunderstood parts of the healing journey! This video from Dr. Sheppard will help clear some things up! 👏

That 3-week sleep regression, the return of meltdowns, the clinginess that came out of nowhere, it’s not a sign that care isn’t working. It’s actually one of the clearest signs that your child’s nervous system is unwinding and releasing! Just like cleaning out your closet or pantry… It gets a little messier before we can reorganize it all into pretty containers and label makers! 🤪

In fact, neuroscience proves to us that healing is non-linear. It’s a lot of “two steps forward, one step back” at first! Growth spurts, immune stress, environmental toxins, emotional changes… All of these can cause temporary plateaus (or even regression) as your child’s nervous system works hard behind the scenes to integrate and level up. 💪

In this podcast, Dr. Sheppard breaks down:

👉 Why regressions are often a good sign 👉 How growth spurts & illness impact neurological healing 👉 What toxins, stress, and therapy overload do to the nervous system 👉 And how to stay the course with confidence, knowing progress is still being made

You're doing better than you think, and their nervous system is too. 🫶

#pxdocs #regression #autismregression / neuroplasticity/milestones / growth spurts / mold poisoning in kids / nervous system regulation

Are you ready for the summer holidays or dreading them?? 😩 A lot of parents that we meet have tried all the things: noise-canceling headphones, keeping a “safe distance,” or even skipping events altogether. While these may help in the moment, they don’t get to the root of why your child feels overwhelmed in the first place.

HIT PLAY on this episode from Dr. Sheppard to find out how to get to the root cause of sensory overload and how the nervous system fits into it all!

If you’ve been feeling like your only option is to “manage” your child’s overload and hope they grow out of it, this video is for you. Because the truth is: they don’t need to grow out of it. They need someone to help get to the root of it. 👏 And our team at AFW is here to help with just that!!❣️

#pxdocs #sensoryoverload #SPD #sensoryprocessing / sensory seeking / tips for sensory sensitive kids

Feeling like you've tried everything to address chronic health issues, but nothing seems to work? 😫 We were in the same boat!! Believe it or not, many kids struggle with symptoms like fatigue, digestive problems, and mood swings for years without finding a lasting solution. 😞

Which is why our team at AFW is working daily to change that! 🧠 We want to get down to the root cause of all of these childhood challenges… And we think we have the answer! The nervous system! It controls every function in the body, which means it is a great suspect for the root cause, and Dr. Sheppard lays it all out perfectly in this episode Hit play now and share with a mom friend who needs to hear it too! You can also connect with us in our DMs and learn more at the link in our bio! 🫶

#pxdocs / nervous system health / regulation / vagus nerve / dysautonomia / subluxation