46. Q&A: Early Signs Your Child’s Nervous System is on the Right Path

In this episode of Ask Dr. Tony, Dr. Tony Ebel explains neurological soft signs - the subtle yet critical indicators that show a child's nervous system is beginning to heal, even before major symptoms improve. He outlines six key signs parents should monitor, from improved posture and muscle tone to better sensory processing, while explaining why these foundational changes must precede improvements in conditions like autism, ADHD, and seizures. Throughout the discussion, Dr. Tony challenges conventional medical approaches that focus on immediate symptom relief, instead presenting a framework for understanding true neurological healing that emphasizes the importance of sequential improvement and proper nervous system foundation before expecting changes in brain-based symptoms.

[00:02:00] - Understanding the Context of Healing

• Difference between medical and neurological healing approaches
• Why conventional symptom-based measurements can be misleading

[00:05:00] - The Importance of Proper Sequencing

• Why foundational changes must happen before brain-based improvements
• Introduction to neurological soft signs concept

[00:09:00] - Redefining Healing

• Why immediate symptom relief isn't always the best indicator of healing

[00:13:00] - The Heart-Brain Connection

• Balancing emotional desires with clinical reality
• Understanding parent expectations versus the healing process

[00:21:00] - Introduction to Neurological Soft Signs

• Definition and importance
• Why they precede major symptom changes

[00:25:00] - The Six Key Neurological Soft Signs:

[00:28:00] Better Posture, Muscle Tone, and Gait

• Importance of motor function
• Understanding hypertonicity and hypotonicity

[00:30:00] Improved Sleep Patterns

• Sleep as an indicator of nervous system function
• Importance for neurological healing

[00:32:00] Digestive Function

• The connection between the nervous system and digestion
• Signs of improving gut function

[00:36:00] Respiratory and Immune Function

• Relationship between the immune system and nervous system
• Importance of proper breathing patterns

[00:41:00] Sensory Processing and Behavioral Regulation

• Reduced sensory overload
• Improved emotional regulation

[00:48:00] - Clinical Assessment Process

• How practitioners evaluate neurological soft signs
• Role of insight scans

[00:52:00] - The Levels of Progress Tracking

1. Pre/post adjustment changes
2. Day-to-day tracking
3. Insight scans
4. Neurological soft signs
5. Major symptom changes

Episode referenced that covers detoxing/retracing

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