As a parent, watching your child struggle to communicate is frustrating.
You’ve kept every speech therapy appointment. Practiced countless exercises at home. Invested time, energy, and hope into supporting their progress. But your little one still struggles to form words while peers chatter effortlessly.
If this sounds familiar, please know that you’re not alone. And it’s not a reflection of your parenting or your child’s effort.
The challenge may not lie in the speech exercises themselves. It might be in the nervous system that controls speech and coordination.
What Nearly 1 in 12 Families Are Missing
At Real Health Chiropractic Clinic, Dr. ShaRhae Matousek works with kids whose nervous systems are “stuck” in patterns that prevent speech and communication from developing naturally. Nearly 1 in 12 children in the U.S. experience speech, language, or voice disorders. Many are treated only at the “output” level, targeting speech muscles while missing the underlying neurological factors.
Think about it this way. If the wiring is faulty, no amount of practice with the light switch will help.
How Speech Development Really Works
Speech isn’t just about moving your tongue or lips (though that’s certainly part of it). It’s a complex neurological process that happens in three stages.
First comes input. Your child’s brain receives auditory, visual, and sensory information, including hearing sounds and feeling the position of the tongue, lips, and jaw.
Next is integration. The brain coordinates this information to plan precise movements for speech.
Finally comes output. The brain signals the muscles to produce sounds and words.
Most traditional therapies focus on that final stage, the output. But if the nervous system is compromised upstream, exercises alone often fall short.
The Subluxation Connection Nobody’s Talking About
Subluxation occurs when spinal misalignments or tension interfere with nervous system communication. In children, this can affect motor planning, muscle coordination, and even the vagus nerve, which acts as the body’s natural “brake pedal” for calm, coordinated speech.
Birth interventions can contribute to nervous system dysfunction. So can falls. Illness. Chronic stress. When these issues aren’t addressed, the brain may struggle to coordinate the complex movements needed for clear speech.
How Gentle Chiropractic Care Changes the Game
Eden Prairie Chiropractor Dr. ShaRhae uses gentle, neurologically focused adjustments to help the nervous system function optimally. By restoring proper communication between the brain and body, kids can:
- Initiate sounds and words more easily
- Improve clarity, volume, and coordination of speech
- Access the calming side of the nervous system for better focus and emotional regulation
- Maximize the effectiveness of traditional speech therapy
Our INSiGHT™ scanning technology allows us to pinpoint where stress is “stuck” in the nervous system. From there, we create a personalized care plan for each child.
Hope and Healing for Local Families
Speech delays often signal broader developmental challenges. Sensory processing difficulties. Sleep disruption. Gross motor delays. Addressing the root cause, which is neurological interference, empowers children to make real progress.
If your child has been struggling with speech despite therapy, it may be time to explore a different approach. One that addresses the nervous system first so that natural communication skills can emerge. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.