Gut Health for Kids: How Chiropractic Care and Nutrition Work Together

Did you know that your child’s gut health plays a critical role in their overall well-being? From digestion and nutrient absorption to immune function and brain development, a balanced gut is the foundation for lifelong health. However, many children struggle with gut-related issues like reflux, constipation, bloating, and colic, often leaving parents searching for solutions beyond medications or temporary fixes.

At Pinnacle Chiropractic, we take a nervous system-based approach to healing, recognizing that the gut and brain are deeply connected. This means that improving gut health isn’t just about diet—it’s also about ensuring the nervous system is functioning properly so the digestive system can work as it should.

The Gut-Brain Connection and Chiropractic Care

The gut and brain communicate through the vagus nerve, which runs from the brainstem to the intestines. This nerve controls digestion, peristalsis (the movement of food through the gut), and inflammation regulation. When there is stress or dysfunction in the nervous system, the vagus nerve’s signals can be disrupted, leading to:

✅ Acid reflux or spitting up
✅ Chronic constipation or irregular bowel movements
✅ Colic and excessive fussiness
✅ Food sensitivities and bloating

Chiropractic adjustments, especially those focused on the upper cervical spine, help to restore proper nervous system function. When misalignments (subluxations) in the spine interfere with nerve communication, the gut can struggle to function properly. By removing this interference, we help the body regulate digestion naturally, leading to fewer gut-related symptoms.

At Pinnacle Chiropractic, our doctors are ICPA and PXdocs certified, specializing in pediatric chiropractic care to support gut health in infants, toddlers, and growing kids.

How Nutrition Supports Gut Healing

While chiropractic care restores nervous system function, whole-food nutrition provides the building blocks the gut needs to thrive. The goal is to nourish the gut microbiome, reduce inflammation, and support digestion through food.

Top Nutritional Support for Gut Health:

🫐 Probiotics & Fermented Foods – Promote good gut bacteria and reduce inflammation. Look for a high-quality infant probiotic for babies with reflux or colic.
🥑 Healthy Fats (Avocado, Coconut Oil, Olive Oil) – Support brain-gut communication and reduce inflammation.
🍠 Fiber-Rich Foods (Sweet Potatoes, Oats, Chia Seeds) – Help with regular bowel movements and feed beneficial gut bacteria.
🍎 Bone Broth & Collagen – Strengthen the gut lining and support digestion.
🚫 Avoid Processed Foods & Dairy (for Some Kids) – These can trigger inflammation and worsen digestive issues.

Many kids struggling with chronic constipation, reflux, or other stomach issues find relief when chiropractic care and nutrition work together to reduce gut stress and improve digestion naturally.

Real Stories from Pinnacle: How Chiropractic Care Helped Kids with Gut Issues

🌟 Highly recommend!! Our 8 week old was dealing with reflux and digestive issues and she had episodes of screaming and crying every evening and we would battle for hours to try and get her down for the night. Everyone, including her pediatrician, just said "she will grow out of it," but finally we decided to try a chiropractor. After a couple treatments she is a completely different baby! She is so happy and no more screaming and crying episodes. Also the staff is absolutely incredible!! They are amazing at explaining everything to you and happy to answer any questions you might have. -Hannah

🌟 “Our family landed at Pinnacle due to some significant microbiome issues after too many antibiotics. We decided to make some big diet changes to help heal Bella Mae’s gut. We cut out gluten, dairy, dyes, high fructose corn syrup and fried food for the length of her care plan. Making all the changes to her diet were hard, but she now has none of the stomach issues she used to have! We are so grateful for the life-changing help Pinnacle gave her. Her gut and entire system experienced the healing she so desperately needed." -Bella Mae’s Family

These stories are a testament to the power of natural healing—when the nervous system and gut are balanced, everything works better!

Start Your Child’s Gut Healing Journey Today

If your child is dealing with constipation, reflux, colic, or other gut-related issues, we’re ready to help address the root cause instead of just masking symptoms. At Pinnacle Chiropractic, we specialize in helping families restore gut health through nervous system-based chiropractic care and holistic wellness strategies.

Give your child the gift of better digestion, fewer tummy troubles, and a healthier future—naturally! 💙

‍