A Comprehensive Approach to Alleviating Fight or Flight Stress

As a nervous system focused chiropractor at Sunlife Chiropractic, I have witnessed the struggles that countless people face – battles against unresolved anxiety, poor sleep, low immunity, and inflammation, despite the tireless efforts of striving to support your and your child’s health. This struggle leaks into behavior, marked by frequent meltdowns and an inability to self-calm or regulate. These persistent challenges may be indicative of a constant activated stress response causing struggles for your nervous system.

The alarming truth is that 60% of adults and 77% of today's youth suffer from chronic health conditions, with neurological and mental health disorders standing out as the most prevalent. The latest clinical research points to dysfunctional nervous system patterns that serve as the main drivers when it comes to these conditions.

Specifically, when a person becomes stuck in "fight or flight" mode, the cascade of stress hormones disrupts vital processes like digestion, immunity, and development. The restorative parasympathetic "rest and digest" activation becomes suppressed, spiraling into a relentless cycle known as the "Perfect Storm."

If you or your child are stuck in the "Perfect Storm" of symptoms, leaving you feeling helpless in your pursuit of solutions - rest assured this is a scenario that resonates with so many, and it's crucial for you to recognize that you are not alone. Understanding that these challenges are linked to the nervous system is pivotal in navigating the journey toward better health for you and your child.

How People Get Stuck in a Fight or Flight Stress Response:

Your nervous system, like a switch, goes between active and relaxed modes. When there's a short-term danger, it goes into "fight or flight" mode. But problems happen when the stress reaction stays for too long.

The Vagus Nerve's Function

At the heart of nervous system regulation is the vagus nerve, controlling the activation of the body's "rest, digest, and regulate" parasympathetic nervous system. This critical nerve regulates digestion, breathing, heart rate, and inflammation and is more tied to restoration. We also know that the vagus nerve is essential to social and emotional regulation, speech, and so much more. 

Impaired vagal tone traps your body in fight or flight, leading to a condition called dysautonomia. Dysautonomia (or out-of-balance autonomic nervous system) can then lead to a host of other chronic health challenges in adults and kids.

What Getting Stuck in Fight or Flight Looks Like 

Here are signs that you or your child may be stuck in fight or flight mode: 

• Heightened baseline anxiety, worry, and panic responses

• Frequent emotional meltdowns and outbursts

• Disrupted sleep and nightmares

• Loss of appetite or overeating

• Increased food sensitivities and allergies

• New onset headaches or body aches

• Overreaction to minor frustrations

• Poor focus and concentration troubles

• Frequent illnesses and decreased immunity

• Persistent fatigue or hyperactivity

When you or your child’s nervous system gets overloaded and stuck, churning out stress chemicals, it turns into a range of symptoms that can disrupt health and development. Leading to: 

• Anxiety and Mood Changes

• Cognitive and Behavioral Challenges

• Physical Hurdles (including): Headaches, body tension, abdominal pain, low energy, and immune weakness

• Growth and Development Delays

How to Get Our Body’s Out of Fight or Flight Long Term

We hold immense power in nurturing our well-being at home. It’s always a great idea to engage daily in breathing exercises, helping with the relaxation response. You can try gentle movements like yoga to process cortisol. Ensure optimal nutrition to replenish drained reserves, and consider natural supplements for gentle inflammation modulation. Prioritize restorative sleep for holistic health.

However, time and again, we meet individuals who have tried everything under the sun to help themselves or their child learn to calm, regulate, and balance their emotions and nervous system, but to no avail. 

In cases where the nervous system seems stuck in fight or flight, the crucial first step is Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care. 

These adjustments target vagus nerve stimulation and release pent-up stress within the sympathetic nervous system, proving way more impactful than traditional methods.

As adjustments start to help restore better sleep patterns and enhance neurological health, you can then introduce breathing exercises, calming activities, and nutritional programs with more success. 

So, if you or your child is expressing symptoms tied to a stuck-on, fight-or-flight nervous system, and you’ve exhausted every avenue without success, consider addressing nervous system dysregulation and subluxation as the missing link. 

If you are local to Frisco, Texas and experiencing any of these symptoms please reach out to Sunlife Chiropractic today. 

If you are not local to us, check out our PX Docs directory to find a local office near you. We want to help empower you to guide you and your child toward a healthier, more balanced life.