The nervous system is the body's command centre, and when it’s out of balance, it can affect every part of your life—physically, mentally, and emotionally. For families, especially busy mums and school-aged children, nervous system health is essential to thriving in today’s fast-paced world.

Understanding the Nervous System

You may have heard of the fight-or-flight response, which is driven by the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS). This response is your body’s natural way of protecting you in times of danger, giving you the energy to run, fight, or act quickly. While essential for survival, issues arise when we get stuck in this “on” mode. High levels of stress and cortisol can keep us in a state of fight-or-flight.

In contrast, the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) is responsible for rest, repair, and digesting. It’s often called the “rest-and-digest” mode. This is where your body can recover, heal, and connect with others. When your PNS is functioning well, you feel calm, grounded, and balanced.

Signs of a Dysregulated Nervous System

- Difficulty managing stress or big emotions

- Feeling constantly "on edge" or burnt out

- Frequent illnesses or a weak immune system

- Trouble sleeping

- Learning challenges or trouble focusing

- Tummy aches, IBS, or food sensitivities

- Avoidance behaviours or hypervigilance

If these symptoms sound familiar, you’re not alone. A dysregulated nervous system is incredibly common, especially in our busy, high-pressure world.

If you’ve tried different therapies, diets, supplements, or medications but still find yourself (or your child) stuck, struggling with energy, mood, focus, or resilience, it might be time to explore the health of your nervous system.

Kinesiology can help uncover the root causes of dysregulation and guide your body back to a state of balance and calm.

Primitive reflexes are involuntary actions that originate in the central nervous system and play an essential role in early childhood development. These reflexes, such as grasping, sucking, and movement patterns, help infants survive and adapt to their new environment.

As the brain matures, these reflexes typically integrate (fade away) by the age of 1 to 2 years, making way for more advanced brain functions. However, when primitive reflexes remain active beyond this stage, they can disrupt the nervous system and impact areas such as;

- Speech

- Learning

- Motor control

- Posture

- Memory and concentration

- Social engagement.

Possible factors contributing to retained reflexes include;

- Birth trauma (such as a Caesarean section)

- Physical or emotional stress

-Limited tummy time as a baby

- Skipping crawling or walking too early

- Chronic ear infections,

-Head injuries or concussions

- Exposure to certain toxins or medications.

While not all these factors result in retained reflexes, they can contribute in some cases.

In our initial session, I’ll assess whether any primitive reflexes are still active. If retained reflexes are present, we’ll work together to integrate them, allowing the brain’s higher-order thinking centres to function as they should and supporting overall nervous system regulation.

Acupressure is a gentle, non-invasive technique that involves applying light pressure to specific points on the body, known as acupoints. These points are the same ones used in acupuncture, but with acupressure, there are no needles, just the healing power of touch.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupoints lie along meridians, pathways through which qi (energy) flows. If qi becomes blocked or unbalanced, it can contribute to physical or emotional issues. By stimulating these points, acupressure helps restore the smooth flow of qi, supporting balance and wellbeing.

Acupressure not only works on energy flow but also engages the nervous system. Stimulating acupoints activates specialised nerve fibres, which send calming signals to the brain. This interaction triggers a response in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the body’s central stress response system.

Through this process, acupressure can encourage the release of important hormones and neurotransmitters, such as:

- Endorphins: Natural painkillers that promote relaxation and reduce discomfort.

- Serotonin: A mood-enhancing neurotransmitter that supports emotional balance.

- Cortisol Reduction: Lowering stress hormones to help regulate the nervous system.

This combination of nervous system activation and hormonal balance is what makes acupressure such a powerful tool for healing and stress management.

In a kinesiology session, acupressure is one of the tools we use to support the nervous system and overall health. By holding specific acupoints we allow time for these brain-body responses to take effect, promoting deep balance and calm.

Research suggests that acupressure provides a wide range of benefits, including:

- Pain Relief:Reducing tension and alleviating discomfort.

- Immune Support: Strengthening the body’s natural defences.

- Stress & Anxiety Relief: Calming the nervous system and promoting relaxation.

- Improved Sleep: Encouraging restful and restorative sleep.

- Fatigue Relief: Helping you feel more energised and focused.

*If you’re pregnant please speak with your practitioner before your session.

Mind Body Medicine is a holistic approach that recognises the powerful connection between our thoughts, emotions, and physical health. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms, this modality delves into the root causes of illness or imbalance, helping you uncover how your mind and body work together.

In the clinic, we use Mind Body Medicine to explore the deeper factors influencing your health, whether it’s chronic stress, unhelpful thought patterns, emotional trauma, or lifestyle habits.

This approach empowers individuals to make positive changes by realigning beliefs, addressing patterns of behaviour, and connecting with their inner self to promote healing.

In a Kinesiology session, we may incorporate gentle hands-on techniques such as Myofascial Release and Trigger Point Therapy to support your body’s natural healing processes.

Myofascial Release focuses on easing tension within the fascia—a connective tissue that surrounds and supports your muscles, organs, and nerves. When this tissue becomes tight or restricted, it can lead to discomfort, reduced mobility, or a feeling of being “stuck.” By using light, sustained pressure, we help release these restrictions, restoring ease and flow to your body.

Trigger Point Therapy targets specific areas of tightness within a muscle, known as trigger points, which can cause pain and stiffness or even radiate discomfort to other areas of the body. By gently applying pressure to these points, we encourage the muscle to release, reducing tension and improving overall function.

These techniques are applied helping your body to relax, reset, and move towards balance. They are just one part of our holistic approach to addressing both physical and emotional imbalances, supporting your journey to greater wellbeing.

Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) is a non-invasive, gentle test that provides valuable insights into your body’s mineral levels and overall health. By analysing a small sample of hair, we can uncover imbalances or deficiencies in key minerals and detect the presence of heavy metals, which may be impacting your wellbeing.

In a Kinesiology session, HTMA serves as a supportive tool to better understand the underlying factors affecting your health. Minerals play a vital role in maintaining balance within the body, supporting everything from energy production and stress response to hormone regulation and nervous system function. Imbalances or toxicities in these areas can contribute to physical and emotional symptoms, such as fatigue, anxiety, or chronic pain.

We use HTMA results to guide a personalised approach to your care, tailoring recommendations to address your unique needs and support your journey towards optimal health. This test is particularly helpful when you're experiencing persistent symptoms without clear answers or want a deeper understanding of your body’s internal environment.