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Sensory input is received from various entities. The vestibular system is responsible for movement and balance. It is the first system to fully develop and should be developed by six months after conception. This system is said to have the most influence on the other sensory systems and on the ability to function in everyday life.
It functions like an air traffic controller, telling each sensation where and when it should take off and where to land. The sensory organs for the vestibular system are located in the inner ear and are largely affected by the nerves associated with vertebral joints in the upper neck. Therefore, if a misalignment (subluxation) of the upper neck is present, it may interfere with the ability of the vestibular system to perform its job effectively.
The proprioceptive system is responsible for telling the brain where the body is in space. It gathers sensory information taken in from the inner ear, eyes, smell, and through hearing. It also relies on information received by the brain from tactile, kinesthetic and proprioceptive sites throughout our bodies. Proprioceptive nerve fibers are also located within each vertebral joint. Therefore, subluxations of any vertebral joint may cause disruption of the proprioceptive system. Children may fatigue easily and appear inattentive because they have to work hard and concentrate to determine the position of their bodies. They appear clumsy and have difficulty playing with toys. Their writing can be too light and difficult to read or much too heavy and laborious. They may also have trouble grasping mathematical concepts.
The visual system is also an important sensory input system. Most people think that if a child’s vision is 20/20 then everything is fine. However, there are many sensory functions that must work properly in order for one to understand and apply the information that comes through the eyes. Binocular coordination, accommodation, and vertical movement are some of the functions necessary to understand and process visual information. Part of the neurological input for proper accommodation of the eyes comes from the lower cervical spine and upper thoracic spine. Vertebral subluxation of these areas may cause difficulty in focusing on objects or complaints of blurred vision. However, school-aged children rarely realize that they are not seeing things clearly. Therefore, it is necessary to make sure that the lower cervical and upper thoracic regions are clear of any vertebral subluxations.
The tactile system receives information from cells in the skin all over our bodies providing information about light touch, pressure, vibration, temperature, and pain. Feedback from the tactile system contributes to the development of body awareness and motor planning abilities. Some children are hypersensitive to touch and in turn try to control their environment and the tactile information they receive; thus, appearing anxious, controlling, aggressive, and unwilling to participate in home and school activities. This will then leave less energy and attention for learning and interacting. Some children are under-responsive to touch and seek out excessive touch sensation in order to satisfy the nervous system’s craving for touch. They may touch everything, appropriate or not, and may appear to be impulsive and distractive. The nervous system must work properly in order for successful integration of the tactile system. This enables us to create a balance so that we know what we are touching is either harmful or dangerous or what touch is satisfying and pleasurable and should be further explored.
Sensory input and sensory integration are essential in order for a child to develop proper motor skills and proper learning skills. Without a correctly functioning nervous system, this is not possible and an often misdiagnosis of ADD or ADHD is the result. Removing nervous system interference caused by vertebral subluxations allows the child to develop these much needed sensory systems to their highest ability. In conjunction with a proper diet and specific sensory integration exercises, chiropractic is a safe, effective, and natural form of care for these children.
About the Author:
Dr. Monika Buerger teaches the module: History, Physical Assessment, and Orthopedic Considerations of the Pediatric Patient for the ICPA’s 360 Hour Diplomate program. She authored History and Physical Assessment of the Pediatric Patient, Pediatric Chiropractic by Anrig/Plaugher; 1998. Dr. Buerger has practiced in Livermore, CA since 1991.
 This article appeared in Pathways to Family Wellness magazine, Issue #04.
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