Imagine walking into a brightly lit store. The fluorescent lights flicker, the buzz of conversations blends with the hum of refrigerators, and the scent of fresh bread mixes with perfume from a passing shopper. For most, this is a normal experience. For someone with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), it can be overwhelming, even unbearable.
SPD affects the way the brain receives, processes, and responds to sensory input. Instead of smoothly integrating touch, sound, sight, taste, smell, and movement, the brain either overreacts, underreacts, or misinterprets these signals, leading to distress, confusion, and functional challenges.
Understanding Sensory Processing: How Our Brain Makes Sense of the World
Sensory processing is a complex neurological function that allows us to interact with our environment effectively. The brain receives input from sensory organs, processes it through various networks, and then generates an appropriate response. Key structures involved include:
- The Thalamus: Acts as a relay station, sending sensory information to the appropriate cortical areas.
- The Somatosensory Cortex: Processes touch, temperature, and proprioception.
- The Vestibular System: Governs balance and spatial orientation.
- The Amygdala and Limbic System: Help regulate emotional responses to sensory stimuli.
- The Cerebellum: Coordinates motor control and fine-tunes sensory-motor integration.
- The Reticular Activating System: Regulates attention and sensory filtering, determining which sensory inputs are prioritized and which are ignored.
In individuals with SPD, these pathways can become dysregulated, leading to hypersensitivity (over-responsiveness), hyposensitivity (under-responsiveness), or sensory-seeking behaviors.
What Is Sensory Processing Disorder?
SPD is a neurological condition in which the brain struggles to receive and respond appropriately to sensory information. It is not classified as a distinct disorder in the DSM-5 but is widely recognized by occupational therapists, neurologists, and other healthcare professionals.
SPD can present in different ways:
- Sensory Modulation Disorder: The brain overreacts, underreacts, or fluctuates unpredictably to sensory input.
- Sensory Discrimination Disorder: Difficulty distinguishing between different sensory inputs, such as textures, sounds, or spatial positioning.
- Sensory-Based Motor Disorder: Challenges with posture, movement, and coordination due to poor sensory integration.
How Common Is Sensory Processing Disorder?
Research estimates that 5-16% of children experience symptoms of SPD, with higher rates among children with developmental conditions like autism and ADHD (Ben-Sasson et al., 2009). However, SPD can also occur in neurotypical children and adults, affecting daily life, social interactions, and academic or work performance.
SPD symptoms may persist into adulthood, often leading to difficulties with occupational tasks, social engagement, and stress management. Many individuals develop coping mechanisms, but without proper intervention, the challenges can continue to impact quality of life.
The Impact of SPD on Children and Families
For children with SPD, everyday activities can feel overwhelming or disorienting. Some may be unable to tolerate loud noises, certain clothing fabrics, or food textures. Others may seek excessive movement, bumping into walls or furniture to gain sensory input.
Parents often struggle to understand their child’s reactions, leading to frustration, stress, and difficulty in social environments. School performance may suffer, as SPD can interfere with attention, fine motor skills, and social engagement. Families may need to make extensive lifestyle adjustments to accommodate a child’s sensory needs, from specialized diets to environmental modifications.
Siblings may also feel the impact, as family routines and dynamics shift to accommodate the needs of a child with SPD. The emotional and financial toll can be significant, making education and support for families a critical component of care.
Treatment Options in Chiropractic Neurology (Without Adjustments)
Chiropractic neurology focuses on improving brain function through targeted therapies that enhance neuroplasticity—our brain’s ability to rewire itself in response to stimulation. Some effective treatment approaches include:
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Sensory Integration Therapy
This involves structured exposure to sensory stimuli in a controlled environment. The goal is to help the nervous system become more adaptable and responsive to sensory input. This might include:
- Proprioceptive exercises (e.g., resistance activities, weighted vests)
- Vestibular stimulation (e.g., balance boards, swinging)
- Tactile desensitization techniques
- Auditory therapy to refine sound processing and sensitivity
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Neurofeedback and Brain Training
Neurofeedback uses real-time monitoring of brain waves to help individuals regulate their neurological activity. Children with SPD often show dysregulated neural patterns, particularly in sensory-processing regions. Training these networks can improve focus, emotional regulation, and sensory adaptation.
Biofeedback techniques can also be used to help children regulate their autonomic nervous system, improving their ability to respond appropriately to sensory input.
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Vestibular and Oculomotor Rehabilitation
Since many children with SPD have vestibular dysfunction, exercises that strengthen the brain’s coordination of movement and balance are crucial. Activities may include:
- Eye-tracking exercises to improve visual-motor integration
- Head and body movement patterns to retrain balance responses
- Gaze stabilization techniques to enhance sensory-motor synchronization
- Dual-tasking exercises to improve cognitive-motor integration
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Functional Neurology Exercises
Functional neurology focuses on stimulating weak or underactive brain areas through customized exercises. This can involve:
- Light and sound therapy to enhance sensory integration
- Cognitive-motor training to improve attention and coordination
- Stimulation of specific brain regions through non-invasive techniques like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
- Breathwork and vagal nerve stimulation to enhance autonomic nervous system regulation
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Nutritional and Lifestyle Support
Brain function is heavily influenced by diet, inflammation, and gut health. Addressing deficiencies (e.g., Omega-3s, magnesium) and reducing inflammatory foods can improve neurological stability and sensory regulation.
Additionally, sleep hygiene and structured routines can play a vital role in helping children with SPD regulate their sensory experiences more effectively.
A Path to Hope and Functional Growth
Children with SPD don’t have to struggle indefinitely. By understanding the underlying neurological mechanisms and leveraging chiropractic neurology interventions, families can help their children achieve greater sensory balance and functional independence. With the right therapies, the brain can become more adaptable, allowing children to engage more fully in daily life.
Through a combination of neuroplasticity-driven therapies, lifestyle modifications, and targeted neurological rehabilitation, children with SPD can experience meaningful improvements in sensory processing, social engagement, and overall well-being.
If you or someone you love is suffering from a sensory processing disorder and you would like to learn how chiropractic neurology can help, contact the team at Georgia Chiropractic Neurology Center today. We look forward to hearing from you.
Written by Sophie Hose, DC, MS, DACNB, CCSP
Peer-Reviewed Sources:
Ben-Sasson, A., Carter, A. S., & Briggs-Gowan, M. J. (2009). Sensory over-responsivity in elementary school: Prevalence and social-emotional correlates. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 37(5), 705-716.
Miller, L. J., Nielsen, D. M., Schoen, S. A., & Brett-Green, B. A. (2009). Perspectives on sensory processing disorder: A call for translational research. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience, 3, 22.
Owen, J. P., Marco, E. J., Desai, S., Fourie, E., Harris, J., & Hill, S. S. (2013). Abnormal white matter microstructure in children with sensory processing disorders. NeuroImage: Clinical, 2, 844-853.
Parham, L. D., Roley, S. S., May-Benson, T. A., Koomar, J., Brett-Green, B., Burke, J. P., & Mailloux, Z. (2011). Development of a fidelity measure for research on the effectiveness of the Ayres Sensory Integration intervention. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 65(2), 133-142.