Ever watch two kids dancing, taking turns stepping forward and back, feeling each other’s rhythm? That’s a lot like what’s happening in your child’s nervous system every single day. Their brain is constantly balancing between two types of sensory input: proprioception, which is body awareness, and nociception, which is the brain’s stress response. When that balance gets thrown off, it can show up in how your child moves, feels, and reacts to their environment.
At Safe Haven Chiropractic in Ashburn, VA, we talk about this often because it plays a huge role in how our child experiences the world, especially when it comes to focus, regulation, and emotional well-being.
Proprioception is like your child’s internal GPS. It gives their brain a sense of where their body is in space, helping them move with control, stay balanced, and feel more grounded.
When this input is strong, kids are usually more focused, calm, and physically in sync. It’s what allows them to sit still at school, stay steady during play, and feel more connected to themselves.
Nociception is the brain’s built-in alarm system. It turns on when the body senses something stressful, whether that’s pain, anxiety, or a situation that feels emotionally unsafe. Nociceptive input alerts the brain that it might need to protect itself. It’s important for safety, but when the brain is flooded with these signals too often, it starts operating in survival mode all the time.
Imagine a child who’s having a hard time keeping up in school, feeling anxious about a test, or struggling with friendships. Even if there’s no physical pain, their brain may still perceive that experience as a threat. Nociceptive input increases while proprioceptive input fades into the background.
You might start to see signs like
They’re not just acting out. Their nervous system is dysregulated, and they may feel emotionally overwhelmed and physically disconnected.
Here’s something most people don’t realize. Over a third of all proprioceptive input comes from the spine. That means healthy spinal movement plays a big role in calming and organizing the brain.
When the spine moves well, it sends clear, grounding signals to the brain. But if there are areas of restriction or tension, those signals can become unclear, and the brain starts relying more on
stress-based input instead.
At Safe Haven Chiropractic, we use gentle, specific adjustments to support proper spinal motion. This helps the brain receive more calming proprioceptive input so your child can better regulate, focus, and respond to daily stress.
Families often notices:
Your child’s brain and body are in a constant rhythm between calm and alert. When that rhythm is balanced, they’re able to move through their day with more ease and confidence. Chiropractic care supports that balance by helping your child’s nervous system feel safer, more connected, and more regulated.
If any of this sounds familiar, we’re here to support you and your child in feeling more at home in their body.
Morning
Afternoon
Monday
9:00 – 1:00
3:00 – 6:00
Tuesday
9:00 – 1:00
3:00 – 6:00
Wednesday
9:00 – 1:00
3:00 – 6:00
Thursday
9:00 – 1:00
3:00 – 6:00
Friday
Some Friday Appointments
44110 Ashburn Shopping Plaza, Suite 216, Ashburn, VA 20147.
Phone: (571) 549-6555
Fax: (571) 549-1776
