Supporting Your Child’s Natural Breathing

Is your child struggling with asthma in Austin? As a parent, watching your child wheeze, cough, or struggle to breathe can feel heartbreaking and overwhelming. You’ve likely tried medications, inhalers, and avoided countless triggers, yet those frightening episodes keep returning. Many families in South Austin and Circle C have discovered that traditional approaches only manage symptoms without addressing the underlying cause. At River City Wellness, our neurologically-focused chiropractic approach looks deeper—examining how your child’s nervous system may be contributing to their asthma symptoms. Dr. Peter Martinez and Dr. Sean Forbes have helped numerous Austin families find the natural solution they’ve been searching for.

What Is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition where the airways become inflamed, narrow, and produce extra mucus, making breathing difficult. In children, this condition affects the bronchial tubes that carry air to and from the lungs. When triggered, these airways swell and the muscles around them tighten.

During an asthma episode, children may experience wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. The severity can range from minor breathing difficulties to life-threatening attacks. While conventional medicine focuses on managing symptoms with medications, many parents are discovering that addressing the nervous system’s role in controlling these airways offers a more comprehensive approach.

Asthma affects approximately 6 million children in the United States. Understanding that the nervous system controls every function in the body—including breathing and immune responses—opens new possibilities for helping children with this condition naturally.

Signs and Symptoms of Asthma in Children

Recognizing asthma symptoms early can help parents seek appropriate care for their children. Watch for these common signs:

• Frequent coughing, especially at night or early morning
• Wheezing or whistling sound when breathing
• Shortness of breath during normal activities or play
• Chest tightness or pain
• Difficulty sleeping due to breathing problems
• Fatigue or low energy levels
• Avoiding physical activities or sports
• Frequent respiratory infections
• Changes in breathing patterns
• Mood changes or irritability related to breathing difficulties

If you notice these patterns in your child, it’s important to understand that symptoms often indicate an underlying nervous system imbalance rather than just a respiratory problem.

What Causes Asthma? (The Root Cause)

While most approaches focus on external triggers like dust, pollen, or stress, the real question is: why do some children react to these triggers while others don’t? The answer lies in what we call “The Perfect Storm”—a combination of factors that creates nervous system dysfunction.

The Perfect Storm typically begins with birth trauma. Even seemingly normal births can cause subluxations (misalignments) in the upper cervical spine. These subluxations interfere with proper nervous system function from the very beginning of life. When combined with environmental stressors, toxins, and emotional stress, the nervous system becomes stuck in a state of fight-or-flight (sympathetic dominance).

This chronic stress state affects the vagus nerve, which plays a crucial role in controlling inflammation and immune responses. When the vagus nerve isn’t functioning properly, the body becomes hypervigilant to environmental triggers. The airways overreact to substances that should be harmless, creating the inflammatory cascade we see in asthma.

Research suggests that addressing these subluxations and supporting proper nervous system function can help the body’s natural ability to regulate breathing and immune responses. This is why many families find that neurologically-focused chiropractic care addresses asthma symptoms more comprehensively than approaches that only manage the symptoms.

How Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Helps Asthma

As an asthma chiropractor in Austin, our approach at River City Wellness focuses on identifying and correcting the nervous system dysfunction that contributes to your child’s breathing difficulties. We use advanced INSiGHT scanning technology to objectively measure your child’s nervous system function, showing us exactly where subluxations are creating interference.

Our gentle, specific pediatric adjustments work to remove subluxations in the spine, particularly in the upper cervical and thoracic regions that directly affect breathing function. By restoring proper spinal alignment, we help activate the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest mode) and support healthy vagus nerve function.

Many families notice improvements in their children’s breathing patterns, sleep quality, and overall energy levels as their nervous systems begin to function optimally. Research suggests that chiropractic care may help reduce the frequency and severity of asthma episodes by addressing the root neurological causes rather than just masking symptoms.

Our experience shows that children with asthma often have related conditions like allergies, frequent sickness, or anxiety. This makes sense because all these conditions stem from nervous system dysfunction. By addressing the root cause, we often see improvements across multiple areas of health.

The neuroplasticity of children’s developing nervous systems makes them particularly responsive to this approach. Unlike adults, children’s nervous systems can adapt and heal more quickly when given the right support through specific chiropractic care.

What to Expect at Your Child’s First Visit

We understand that bringing your child to a new healthcare provider can feel overwhelming, especially when they’re already struggling with breathing difficulties. Our first priority is creating a comfortable, judgment-free environment where you feel heard and supported.

During the initial consultation, Dr. Martinez or Dr. Forbes will take time to understand your child’s complete health history, including their birth experience, developmental milestones, and current symptoms. We’ll then perform our comprehensive INSiGHT neurological scans, which are completely painless and provide objective data about your child’s nervous system function.

After reviewing the findings with you, we’ll create a customized care plan specifically designed for your child’s unique needs. Every child is different, and our approach reflects that individuality. Located conveniently in South Austin, we serve families from Circle C, Sunset Valley, Oak Hill, Barton Creek, and Manchaca who are seeking natural solutions for their children’s health challenges.

Our goal is to help your family understand what’s happening in your child’s body and how we can work together to support their healing and development.

Frequently Asked Questions About Asthma

Is chiropractic safe for children with asthma?

Yes, pediatric chiropractic care is extremely safe when performed by trained professionals. Our techniques are gentle and specifically adapted for children’s developing spines. We use no more pressure than you would use to check the ripeness of a tomato. Many parents are surprised at how gentle and comfortable the adjustments are for their children.

How long until we see results?

Every child responds differently, but many families notice initial improvements within the first few weeks of care. Some children experience better sleep or increased energy right away, while breathing improvements may take longer. Children’s nervous systems are highly adaptable, which often means they respond more quickly than adults to neurologically-focused chiropractic care.

Does insurance cover chiropractic care for asthma?

Many insurance plans cover pediatric chiropractic care. We’ll help verify your benefits and work with your insurance company to maximize your coverage. We also offer flexible payment options because we believe every child deserves access to natural healthcare solutions.

At what age can children start chiropractic care?

Children can benefit from chiropractic care from birth. In fact, many of the subluxations that contribute to asthma begin during the birth process. We’ve successfully helped infants, toddlers, and children of all ages. Our techniques are always adapted to be appropriate for each child’s age and developmental stage.

How is this different from using inhalers or medications?

While medications manage symptoms by suppressing the body’s responses, our approach works to restore the body’s natural ability to regulate breathing and immune function. We’re not anti-medication, but we believe addressing the underlying nervous system dysfunction offers a more comprehensive solution. Many families find they can reduce their dependence on rescue medications as their child’s nervous system function improves.

Will my child need care forever?

Our goal is to help your child’s nervous system function optimally so they can thrive independently. The length of care varies depending on how long the dysfunction has been present and how your child responds. Many families choose to continue with periodic wellness visits to maintain their child’s optimal nervous system function, similar to regular dental checkups.

Take the Next Step for Your Child

Watching your child struggle with asthma doesn’t have to be your reality. Thousands of families across South Austin have discovered that addressing the nervous system dysfunction underlying their child’s breathing difficulties offers hope and real solutions.

At River City Wellness, we understand the fear and frustration you feel as a parent. You’re not alone in this journey, and you don’t have to accept that your child will always struggle with breathing problems. Our neurologically-focused approach has helped countless Austin families find the natural relief they’ve been seeking.

Dr. Martinez and Dr. Forbes are committed to helping your child reach their full potential. Located at 8708 S. Congress Ave Suite 570, we’re convenient for families throughout South Austin, Oak Hill, Barton Creek, and surrounding areas.