Motor Tics in Children: Is It Just a Phase, or Something Deeper?
Does your child repeatedly blink, grunt, twitch, shrug, or make sudden movements they can't seem to control? These involuntary movements or sounds, known as motor tics, can be confusing, frustrating, and even embarrassing for both parents and children.
If you’ve been told it’s “just a phase” or something your child will grow out of, but your gut says there’s more to the story, you’re not alone.
At Healthy Families Chiropractic, we work with families across Wellington who are searching for natural, neurologically based answers to what’s going on beneath the surface.
What Are Motor Tics?
Motor tics are sudden, repetitive movements or vocalizations that your child can’t easily stop. These might include:
Blinking or facial twitches
Shoulder shrugging or head jerking
Grunting, sniffing, or throat clearing
Repetitive words or phrases
While some children outgrow tics, others see them worsen with stress, fatigue, or overstimulation, hinting at deeper neurological dysregulation.
The Nervous System Connection
Tics don’t begin in the muscles, they begin in the brain and nervous system.
The part of the brain responsible for motor control and movement filtering is the basal ganglia, which works closely with the autonomic nervous system (ANS). When the ANS is stuck in a state of fight-or-flight, your child’s ability to regulate movement, impulses, and stress is impaired.
This often stems from early nervous system stress, including:
Birth trauma (forceps, C-section, cord complications)
Developmental delays
Sensory processing struggles
Chronic illness or infections
Emotional stress or trauma
These factors can create subluxations, interference in the nervous system, leading to miscommunication between the brain and body. When the nervous system becomes overstimulated, it may "leak out" in the form of tics or repetitive behavior.
Signs Your Child’s Tics May Be Nervous System-Driven
Tics worsen during emotional stress or transitions
Co-occurring challenges like ADHD, anxiety, or sleep struggles
Delayed milestones or history of birth stress
Frequent illnesses, ear infections, or digestive issues
Sensory sensitivities (touch, sound, texture)
If you’ve noticed patterns, not just isolated tics it may point to a dysregulated nervous system needing support.
How Chiropractic Helps with Motor Tics
At Healthy Families Chiropractic, we take a neurologically focused approach using advanced INSiGHT scanning technology to measure nervous system stress in your child’s body.
Our gentle adjustments help calm the fight-or-flight response and restore communication between the brain, spine, and muscles, helping your child better regulate movement, behavior, and emotions.
Benefits may include:
✅ Reduced tic frequency and intensity
✅ Calmer, more regulated nervous system
✅ Improved sleep, focus, and mood
✅ Better coordination and body awareness
✅ A more adaptable, resilient child overall
We often work alongside other professionals, such as occupational therapists and pediatricians to ensure your child gets full-spectrum support.
You Deserve Real Answers, Not a “Wait and See”
Parents are often told to wait it out or that “it’s just a phase”, but your gut feeling matters. If something feels off, we’re here to help you explore why, and to get to the root cause of your child’s challenges.
Let’s Find Out What’s Really Going On
If your child is experiencing motor tics and you’re ready for a natural, nervous system-based solution, we invite you to schedule a consultation with us at Healthy Families Chiropractic.
We’ll take the time to understand your child’s full health history, perform in-depth neurological scans, and create a care plan tailored to their unique needs.
Together, we’ll help your child find calm, connection, and greater control, starting from the inside out.
