Restore Digestive Harmony: Beyond Reflux Management

Is your child struggling with reflux in Austin? If you’re a parent in South Austin, Circle C, or the surrounding areas, you know the heartbreak of watching your little one experience discomfort from reflux. The sleepless nights, the constant worry, and the frustration of trying solution after solution without lasting results can leave you feeling helpless. What if there was a different approach—one that addresses the root cause rather than just managing symptoms? Neurologically-focused chiropractic care offers hope for families seeking natural, gentle solutions for their child’s reflux. At River City Wellness, we understand that reflux isn’t just a stomach problem—it’s often a nervous system problem that requires specialized care.

What Is Reflux?

Reflux is a condition where stomach contents flow backward into the esophagus, causing discomfort and various symptoms in children. In infants and young children, this occurs when the muscle between the stomach and esophagus doesn’t function properly, allowing stomach acid and food to move upward.

While some degree of reflux is normal in babies, persistent reflux can significantly impact a child’s comfort, sleep, and overall development. The condition affects both infants and older children, though it may present differently at various ages.

Traditional approaches often focus on medication or dietary changes. However, many families don’t realize that reflux frequently stems from nervous system dysfunction, particularly involving the vagus nerve that controls digestive function.

Signs and Symptoms of Reflux in Children

Recognizing reflux symptoms can help you understand what your child is experiencing. Many parents notice these common signs:

• Frequent spitting up or vomiting, especially after feeding
• Difficulty sleeping or frequent waking during the night
• Fussiness during or after meals
• Arching of the back, particularly during feeding
• Refusing to eat or showing signs of pain while eating
• Chronic cough or hoarse voice
• Poor weight gain or failure to thrive
• Hiccups that seem excessive or frequent
• Restlessness and irritability throughout the day

If these symptoms sound familiar, you’re not alone. Many South Austin families come to us seeking answers when traditional treatments haven’t provided the relief their children need.

What Causes Reflux? (The Root Cause)

Understanding what causes reflux in children requires looking beyond the stomach to the nervous system. At River City Wellness, we’ve observed what we call “The Perfect Storm”—a combination of factors that create the ideal conditions for reflux to develop.

This perfect storm typically includes birth trauma, environmental stress, and subluxation (interference in the nervous system). During birth, even in seemingly normal deliveries, significant stress can be placed on a baby’s delicate spine and nervous system. This stress can create subluxations that interfere with proper nerve communication.

When subluxations occur, particularly in the upper cervical spine, they can affect the vagus nerve—the major nerve responsible for controlling digestive function. A poorly functioning vagus nerve can’t properly coordinate the muscles involved in digestion, leading to the valve between the stomach and esophagus not closing effectively.

Additionally, when the nervous system becomes stuck in a fight-or-flight state (sympathetic dominance), it diverts energy away from rest-and-digest functions. This creates a cascade of digestive issues, with reflux being just one symptom of the underlying nervous system dysfunction.

This neurological approach explains why many children experience multiple symptoms beyond just reflux—they may also struggle with sleep issues, colic, or feeding difficulties.

How Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Helps Reflux

As a reflux chiropractor in Austin, our approach at River City Wellness differs significantly from traditional symptom management. Dr. Peter Martinez and Dr. Sean Forbes focus on identifying and correcting the nervous system dysfunction that often underlies reflux symptoms.

Our process begins with advanced INSiGHT scanning technology, which provides objective measurements of your child’s nervous system function. These scans help us identify areas of subluxation and nervous system stress that may be contributing to your child’s reflux.

Using gentle, specific pediatric adjustments, we work to correct subluxations and restore proper nervous system communication. Our experience shows that when subluxations are addressed, particularly those affecting vagus nerve function, many families notice improvements in their child’s digestive symptoms.

Research suggests that neurologically-focused chiropractic care supports the body’s natural neuroplasticity—its ability to create new, healthier nerve pathways. This approach addresses the root cause rather than simply masking symptoms, which is why many families see lasting improvements.

Children with reflux often experience related conditions such as colic, digestive issues, or torticollis. By addressing the underlying nervous system dysfunction, we often see improvements in multiple areas simultaneously.

What to Expect at Your Child’s First Visit

We understand that bringing your child to a new healthcare provider can feel overwhelming. At River City Wellness, located in South Austin, we’ve created a welcoming environment where families from Circle C, Sunset Valley, Oak Hill, Barton Creek, and Manchaca feel comfortable and supported.

Your first visit begins with a thorough consultation where we listen—without judgment—to your child’s story and your concerns. We want to understand not just the symptoms you’re seeing, but how reflux is impacting your entire family’s quality of life.

Next, we’ll perform our comprehensive INSiGHT neurological scan. This technology is completely safe and comfortable for children of all ages, providing us with objective data about how your child’s nervous system is functioning. These scans help us identify specific areas of concern that may be contributing to reflux symptoms.

During your report of findings, we’ll explain exactly what we discovered and how it relates to your child’s symptoms. We’ll then discuss a customized care plan designed specifically for your child’s unique needs, ensuring you understand every step of the process.

Frequently Asked Questions About Reflux

Is chiropractic safe for children with reflux?

Yes, pediatric chiropractic care is extremely safe when provided by trained professionals. Our gentle techniques use no more pressure than you’d use to check the ripeness of a tomato. Dr. Martinez and Dr. Forbes have specialized training in pediatric care, and we’ve safely helped hundreds of Austin families with reflux concerns.

How long until I see results with my child’s reflux?

Every child responds differently, but many families begin noticing changes within the first few weeks of care. Some improvements, like better sleep or less fussiness, may be seen even sooner. We track progress through follow-up scans and your observations to ensure we’re moving in the right direction.

Does insurance cover chiropractic care for reflux?

Many insurance plans do provide coverage for chiropractic care. Our team will verify your benefits and help you understand your coverage options. We also offer flexible payment plans to ensure cost doesn’t prevent your child from getting the care they need.

At what age can children start receiving chiropractic care for reflux?

We safely provide care for infants as young as a few days old. In fact, many reflux symptoms stem from birth trauma, so early intervention often yields the best results. Our techniques are specifically adapted for each age group, from newborns to teenagers.

How does chiropractic compare to medication for treating reflux?

While medications can help manage reflux symptoms, they don’t address the underlying nervous system dysfunction that often causes the problem. Our neurologically-focused approach works to correct the root cause, potentially reducing the need for long-term medication use. We work collaboratively with your child’s pediatrician to ensure comprehensive care.

What makes your approach different from other reflux treatments?

Unlike approaches that focus on symptom management, we use advanced scanning technology to identify specific nervous system dysfunction contributing to reflux. By addressing subluxations and supporting proper nerve function, we help the body heal naturally from the inside out.

Take the Next Step for Your Child

Watching your child struggle with reflux is heartbreaking, but you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Families throughout South Austin have found hope and healing through our neurologically-focused approach to pediatric care.

At River City Wellness, we’re committed to getting to the root cause of your child’s reflux, not just managing symptoms. Our gentle, scientific approach has helped hundreds of Austin families find the answers they’ve been searching for.

Dr. Martinez and Dr. Forbes understand the unique challenges facing families dealing with reflux. We’re here to provide not just exceptional care, but also the support and guidance you need during this difficult time.