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PANS & PANDAS: A Tactical Guide for Parents Walking the Healing Path

What is PANS/PANDAS?


PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) and PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections) are conditions where a child’s immune system, often after an infection, begins attacking the brain. This can lead to sudden and severe shifts in behavior, mood, motor skills, or personality—sometimes overnight. Symptoms often mimic OCD, anxiety, tics, rage episodes, sensory sensitivities, or regression. At the core, it's an inflammatory storm impacting the nervous system and brain function.


If your child has been diagnosed with PANS or PANDAS, you know how confusing, exhausting, and heartbreaking the journey can be. The swings in behavior, the regression, the fear—it can feel like the child you knew has disappeared behind a wall of inflammation and dysregulation. But I want you to hear this clearly:

Your child is not broken.

They are a sensitive system under stress. And healing is possible!


Let's talk about tactical, heart-centered tools to support families navigating this path. These are rooted in holistic healing, functional medicine, chiropractic care, and deep nervous system support. You cannot and do not have to do it all at once—just start with simple, small, brave steps forward.


🔥 Reduce Inflammation, Restore Calm

PANS/PANDAS is not just neurological—it’s systemic. Inflammation runs wild, the immune system is confused, and the nervous system is on constant high alert. Our first job? Calm the chaos.

🍽️ Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition

Start with food. Remove the common culprits: gluten, dairy, refined sugar, dyes, and processed snacks. Focus on gut-loving, brain-supportive nourishment like:

  • Bone broth

  • Wild blueberries

  • Omega-3 rich fats (like salmon or chia seeds)

  • Fermented foods for microbiome balance


🧠 Vagus Nerve Activation

The vagus nerve is the body’s communication superhighway. Daily activations can help tone the nervous system and shift out of survival mode:

  • Gargling

  • Humming

  • Cold exposure

  • Breathwork


🌀 Nervous System + Chiropractic Care

Children with PANS/PANDAS are often stuck in fight or flight. Gentle, nervous-system-centered chiropractic care—especially at the brainstem level (C1/C2)—can help regulate the limbic system and reduce chronic reactivity.

Chiropractic care restores rhythm. It helps the body remember how to feel safe again.


🏡 Detox the Terrain

We can’t talk about healing without addressing the environment. In sensitive children, even low-level toxins can trigger flares. Look at:

  • Mold exposure in homes or schools

  • EMFs (especially Wi-Fi near sleep areas)

  • Cleaning products and scented candles

  • Personal care products (fragrance-free is best)

Create a cleaner terrain so the body can focus on healing—not defending.


🌿 Herbal + Functional Tools

With the guidance of a practitioner, many families find benefit in tools like:

  • Curcumin (for inflammation)

  • NAC (for detox and brain support)

  • Low-dose Naltrexone (LDN)

  • Antimicrobial herbs (especially if strep, mold, or Lyme are involved)

  • Binders like activated charcoal or bentonite clay to mop up inflammatory debris


🧘‍♀️ Emotional + Energetic Support

Let’s zoom out for a moment.

This journey isn’t just about protocols. It’s about presence. This is all about meeting your child where they are, not where you wish they were.

Louise Hay teaches that the body often holds energetic patterns. In children with PANS/PANDAS, we may see themes of:

  • Fear

  • Confusion

  • Feeling unsafe or unseen

As parents and practitioners, we hold the torch. We are the regulators. Before we rush to fix, let’s pause and ask:

  • Where can I meet this moment with calm instead of fear?

  • How can I help my child feel safe, seen, and supported?


✨ The Big Idea

PANS and PANDAS are not one-size-fits-all conditions. They require a whole-system, whole-family approach.

When we support the immune system, calm the nervous system, detox the environment, and lead with emotional presence, something beautiful begins to happen:

Regulation becomes the road to restoration.

Healing may not be linear, but it is possible. Keep going. Your child is still in there—and they are worth every ounce of faith, effort, and love. And, ALWAYS Expect Miracles!!





DISCLAIMER:

This post is for educational and empowerment purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider when navigating PANS/PANDAS or any chronic health condition.

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