Why a Step Backward Can Lead to a Leap Forward

If you’re a parent walking through your child’s neurological healing journey and starting to feel discouraged: take heart. Maybe things were going great! Better sleep, fewer meltdowns, more connection… and then suddenly, progress seemed to pause. Or even backtrack. We understand how that can feel so heavy, like all the hard work might not be working.

But here’s what we want you to know, straight from our hearts at TFC: healing isn’t always a straight line. In fact, it's more like a rollercoaster with its fair share of ups, downs, and unexpected twists. Plateaus and even regressions are often a normal and necessary part of the healing process.

We see this often with the families we serve. In fact, it’s not just common—it’s expected. There are seasons in every child’s care journey where things feel slower or even messy. But those moments? They’re not signs of failure. They’re actually signs that your child’s nervous system is digging deeper, working hard behind the scenes to reorganize and adapt on a whole new level.

Why These Plateaus (and Even Regressions) Happen

As a neurologically-focused chiropractor, I see this all the time in our office. Almost every parent bringing their child in for care will experience what research calls "non-linear healing progress." What's really cool is, research on neuroplasticity shows that the brain has the ability to reorganize itself, form new connections and, in some instances, even generate new neurons.

Sometimes this pattern can feel like “two steps forward, one step back,” but from a neurological standpoint, it’s all forward motion. The brain and nervous system are incredibly complex and responsive, constantly recalibrating and rebalancing. Sometimes that process brings old symptoms back to the surface briefly, but that doesn’t mean your child is losing ground. Quite the opposite! It's actually the brain's natural way of reorganizing tp create lasting change.

Let’s break down some of the most common reasons for a plateau so you can feel more at peace and know what’s really going on under the surface:

1. Growth Spurts & Milestone Jumps

When your child is going through a growth spurt or learning new developmental skills, their body naturally shifts its focus. A lot of energy and resources are funneled into physical growth and building new brain connections. During these seasons, your child’s body is working hard to form new bone, muscle, and neural pathways, which takes a tremendous amount of energy. This can temporarily slow down other healing or regulatory processes.

You might notice things like:

• Increased moodiness or emotional ups and downs

• Changes in sleep or restlessness at night

• Temporary regression in skills as their nervous system focuses on development

These pauses are not setbacks. They are actually signs that the nervous system is growing stronger and becoming more resilient with each new skill it integrates.

2. Fevers & Healing Effects of Immune Responses

Here’s something that might catch you off guard: fevers and illnesses aren’t just bumps in the road. They are intelligent neurological responses that can actually help move healing forward over time.

When your child runs a fever, it is their body’s way of activating the immune system. The hypothalamus, which serves as the brain’s thermostat, increases body temperature to wake up immune cells and create an environment where viruses and bacteria struggle to survive. During this time, the nervous system shifts its energy toward managing the immune response. This can look like tiredness, irritability, or your child seeming a little disconnected.

Here’s the incredible part! Fevers stimulate the release of neurotrophic factors. These are special proteins that support brain growth and the creation of new connections. That means once your child recovers, you may start to see developmental gains or progress that was not there before. It is not unusual to notice a short period of regression first, but it is often followed by a major leap forward.

3. Environmental Toxins: The Hidden Disruptors

When kids have underlying neurological challenges, often their nervous systems are already imbalanced. This can make them even more sensitive to environmental toxins. Pesticides and heavy metals in food, flame retardants in furniture, and VOCs found in cleaning products can build up in the body and disrupt normal neurological function.

Mold exposure from things like hidden water leaks or poor ventilation releases mycotoxins that may lead to cognitive issues and neurological symptoms. These environmental stressors can cause temporary pauses in progress as the body shifts its focus toward processing and clearing out these harmful substances.

4. Emotional Stress & Life Transitions

Big transitions like the start of a new school year or even small changes in family routines can activate the sympathetic "fight or flight" response. This stress response causes the body to release hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which can quickly overwhelm a nervous system that is already struggling to stay regulated.

When this stress continues over time, it can lead to patterns of dysfunction within the nervous system known as subluxation. These areas of interference make it harder for the brain and body to communicate clearly, which only adds to the cycle of dysregulation. This is why we often see setbacks during times of emotional stress or major life changes. The nervous system is using its energy to manage the stress rather than moving forward with growth and development.

5. Medication or Therapy Overload

Most medications are designed to suppress or override symptoms rather than truly healing the root cause of neurological dysfunction, kind of like pressing a "mute button." The body is still struggling underneath, but the signals are temporarily silenced. When true healing begins by restoring brain and body communication and supporting a balanced nervous system, it can feel like the body is waking up again. Sometimes this process brings old patterns to the surface for a short time.

Since the nervous system has a limited capacity, we recommend starting with nervous system regulation first. Once that foundation is stronger, other therapies can be layered in more effectively to support long-term healing.

Understanding Plateaus for Your Family

Here at TFC, we understand that most plateaus happen because one or more of these outside stressors create a bit of resistance. Once those stressors pass and your child builds up additional resilience and adaptability, they'll blow right past it and be back on the path to progress and breakthrough!

The key is knowing that healing is not a straight line. It often feels like "two steps forward and one step back" in the beginning. Growth spurts, immune challenges, environmental toxins, and emotional changes can all cause temporary slowdowns or even some regression. This is your child’s nervous system working hard behind the scenes to adjust and grow stronger.

Moving Forward with Confidence

That unexpected sleep regression, the return of meltdowns, or sudden clinginess are not signs that care is not working. In fact, they can be some of the clearest signs your child’s nervous system is releasing and rebalancing. Think of it like cleaning out a cluttered closet or pantry; it may get messier before everything gets neatly organized again.

If you’re noticing changes in your child and wondering if it’s a setback or something deeper, please reach out. We know it can be tough, and we’d love to help you through it. And if you’re not near us, the PX Docs Directory can help you find a provider trained in neurologically-focused care.

You and your child are doing better than it feels right now. Trust the process, stay consistent with your care plan, and remember that these setbacks often show your child’s nervous system is working through deeper layers and preparing for the next big breakthrough.