Why It Feels Like Progress Stopped (And Why That Might Mean It’s Working)

If you’re a parent who's been seeing wins—better sleep, fewer meltdowns, calmer days—and then suddenly it feels like everything hit pause (or even reversed), I want you to know: you're not alone, and you're not doing anything wrong.

Maybe your child is back to waking at night. Maybe that sensory overload is creeping back in. Maybe behaviors you thought were long gone are making a comeback. It can feel discouraging—like all that work and consistency was for nothing.

But here's the truth we share with families every week at Soma Chiropractic: plateaus and regressions are part of the process. They’re not the end of progress—they’re often the body’s way of doing the deeper work.

Healing Isn’t Linear. It’s Layered.

We’re used to thinking healing should move in a straight line—symptoms get better and stay better. But the nervous system doesn’t work that way.

Healing happens in waves. The brain and body reorganize, reset, and rewire. Then they take a moment to catch up. Sometimes it looks like stillness. Sometimes it looks like regression. But behind the scenes, things are shifting in powerful ways.

We often say: “Two steps forward, one step back” isn’t going backward—it’s your child gaining the footing for a leap.

Why Does It Happen? 5 Real-World Reasons

Let’s talk about what could be causing your child to temporarily plateau—or even show signs of regression. Understanding these can help you feel grounded and confident during the messier moments of healing.

1. Growth Spurts and Milestones

When a child is growing—physically or developmentally—their system is burning a ton of energy behind the scenes. It’s building new bone, muscle, tissue, and neural wiring.

What does that look like on the surface?

• Mood swings or clinginess

• Sleep disturbances

• Temporary regression in other areas

The nervous system is prioritizing growth, and other things may pause while it adjusts. Think of it as temporary buffering—not backtracking.

2. Immune Stress and Illness Recovery

Fevers, colds, and tummy bugs aren’t just interruptions—they’re often part of the body’s healing and recalibration process.

During illness, the nervous system is rerouting energy to immune defense. But once the storm passes, we often see a leap forward—more speech, calmer behavior, better sleep.

Why? Because fevers and immune activation release proteins that support brain development and plasticity. Your child may feel "off" for a few days—but then suddenly you’re seeing breakthroughs. That’s no accident.

3. Toxins and Environmental Load

Children with dysregulated nervous systems are often more sensitive to environmental toxins—pesticides in foods, mold in the home, chemicals in laundry or cleaning products.

Even small exposures can overwhelm a system that’s already trying to stay balanced. The result? Sleep issues, fogginess, emotional outbursts, or “plateau” behavior.

Detoxing takes time. And the nervous system will often slow progress temporarily to focus on clearing out what doesn’t belong.

4. Emotional Stress + Big Transitions

Change—even the good kind—can trigger stress responses in sensitive kids. New routines, new schools, vacations, changes in caregivers, or family tension can all activate a child’s "fight or flight" system.

What does this look like?

• More meltdowns

• Clinginess or separation anxiety

• Trouble sleeping or focusing

The nervous system shifts into protection mode. And while that might feel like regression, it’s really a temporary rerouting of energy to help your child feel safe again.

5. Too Many Inputs, Not Enough Regulation

Therapies, supplements, medications—while helpful, they can also overload a child’s system if not properly timed.

When we begin restoring calm and connection through nervous system care, sometimes previously masked symptoms emerge. This doesn’t mean your child is “getting worse.” It means the body is becoming more aware, more connected, and sometimes, more sensitive—for a season.

That’s why at Soma, we often recommend simplifying first. Prioritize regulating the nervous system. Build that foundation. Then layer in the rest.

What This Means for You

If your child is in a lull or seems to be taking a few steps back, don’t panic. Don’t pull away. Lean in.

At Soma Chiropractic, we remind our families: plateaus are often where the most powerful rewiring happens. And once your child’s nervous system has processed and recalibrated, the next leap forward can be even more impactful.

Trust the Unseen Progress

The return of old behaviors, a sudden sleep regression, or a tough emotional week aren’t signs that nothing is working. They’re often signs that something big is changing underneath.

It’s like cleaning out a closet—things get messier before they get better. But if you stick with it, what emerges is more organized, functional, and powerful than before.

Your child is healing. You’re doing better than you think. And the best is still ahead.

💛 If you’re in a season like this and wondering what to do next—reach out. At Soma Chiropractic, your pediatric chiropractor in Delray Beach, we’re here to walk with you, answer your questions, and help you keep moving forward—one step (and one adjustment) at a time.