Posted on7 October 2025,in

Living with seizures, tics, or Tourette’s can feel like riding waves you didn’t choose—unpredictable surges of activity that hijack your peace, your plans, and sometimes your confidence. Families often search for a natural doctor or non-drug approach that adds stability without adding heavy side effects. If that’s you, take heart: while no single therapy is a magic wand, restoring healthy communication inside the nervous system can change the whole picture. That’s exactly where upper cervical chiropractic—a precise, gentle approach focused on the atlas (C1) and axis (C2)—can help.

At Lavender Family Chiropractic in Sarasota, Florida, our doctors (Dr. Rusty Lavender, Dr. Jacob Temple, and Dr. Will Guzinski) use 3D CBCT imaging and functional nervous system scans (Tytron) to detect subtle atlas misalignments that may irritate or dysregulate the brainstem. With gentle, data-driven corrections—no popping, twisting, or cracking—we help calm the system, improve signal clarity between the brain and body, and support better regulation in people navigating seizures, motor/vocal tics, or Tourette’s. We collaborate with your medical team; our role is to optimize the body’s structure and function so your nervous system can do what it was designed to do: self-regulate.

Seizures, Tics and Tourette’s: What We Mean by “Natural Doctor” in the Context of Neurologic Symptoms

“Natural doctor” means different things to different people. In our clinic, it means:

Working with your body’s design. We remove mechanical interference—especially at the brainstem level—so your innate healing mechanisms can perform.
Using objective measurements. We rely on 3D CBCT for structural clarity and Tytron thermography to track functional changes. We test, don’t guess.
Co-managing medical care. We do not prescribe or manage medications. We’re a complement to neurology, pediatrics, and primary care, not a replacement.
Gentle, specific care. Precise corrections produce outsized effects when applied to the right place at the right time.

If you’re searching “natural doctor for seizures,” “natural treatment for tics,” or “Tourette’s specialist near me,” you’re likely looking for safe, non-invasive ways to support the nervous system alongside appropriate medical care. That’s the lane we serve in—upper cervical chiropractic with measurable precision.

A Quick Primer: Seizures, Tics, and Tourette’s

Seizures

A seizure is a surge of electrical activity in the brain that changes movement, awareness, behavior, or sensation. Triggers vary—fever, sleep deprivation, stress, metabolic shifts, head injury, genetics, or idiopathic (unknown) factors. For many people, the day-to-day goal is fewer, shorter, and less disruptive episodes, achieved through a combination of medical care, lifestyle adjustments, and—in a growing number of cases—structural support for the nervous system.

Tics

Tics are sudden, brief, repetitive movements or vocalizations—blinking, head jerks, throat clearing, sniffing, humming, or phrase repetition. Tics may wax and wane with stress, fatiguing activities, screen exposure, or posture.

Tourette’s Syndrome

Tourette’s involves both motor and vocal tics present for over a year, with variable intensity. Current models involve basal ganglia circuits, dopamine regulation, and executive control networks. While the conventional roadmap includes behavioral therapy and in some cases medication, many families also seek non-drug tools to reduce the load on the nervous system.

Key idea: Whether we’re talking about seizures, tics, or Tourette’s, the more calm, coordinated, and well-perfused the brainstem and autonomic nervous system are, the more stable the overall system tends to behave. That’s where the atlas becomes very important.

Why the Atlas (C1) Can Influence Neurological Stability

The atlas sits directly beneath the skull, wrapping around the lowest part of the brain—the brainstem—and anchoring dense webs of ligaments, muscles, and dura. It’s the junction point for:

Brainstem signaling (autonomic control, arousal, reflexes, and tone)
Vertebral artery flow and venous drainage
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics
Proprioceptive input (positional feedback from neck to brain)
Cranial nerve neighborhood effects (e.g., trigeminal, vagus influences)

Even small misalignments—from birth stress, sports, falls, whiplash, or chronic posture (think tech neck)—may create:

Mechanical tension on neural tissues and the dura
Altered vertebral artery inflow or venous/CSF outflow patterns
Imbalanced proprioceptive input, confusing the motor system
Autonomic dominance (fight-or-flight tilt) and poor vagal tone

For someone prone to seizure activity, tics, or Tourette’s, these stresses can be the straw that keeps breaking the camel’s back. Our aim is to remove that straw—gently, specifically, and measurably—so your medical team’s work can perform better in a calmer, better-regulated system.

Upper Cervical Chiropractic: Specific, Gentle, Measurable

Step 1: Advanced Imaging with 3D CBCT

We take 3D CBCT scans of your upper neck to visualize joint spacing, atlas/axis relationships, and subtle rotational or lateral shifts. Unlike standard two-view films, CBCT captures your unique anatomy in fine detail, which is essential because millimeters matter at the brainstem.

Step 2: Functional Nervous System Scanning (Tytron)

The Tytron measures paraspinal thermal patterns to infer autonomic balance. We perform scans pre- and post-adjustment and periodically throughout care. These objective data help us determine when an adjustment is needed and when to hold (because holding alignment is when true healing consolidates).

Step 3: Gentle, Targeted Corrections

Our doctors use technique-specific vectors tailored to your CBCT findings. There is no twisting, popping, or forceful cracking. The adjustment often feels like a controlled, precise pressure or tap. We focus on getting you aligned—and then keeping you aligned—so your body can stabilize.

Step 4: Re-checks and Progress Tracking

We track changes in symptoms, function, and scans over time. The goal isn’t a high number of adjustments—it’s the least number necessary to keep you stable. That’s how the nervous system rests, resets, and reorganizes.

How Atlas Alignment Can Support People with Seizures, Tics, or Tourette’s

While outcomes vary and no ethical provider can promise results, we consistently observe the following physiological benefits when the atlas is corrected and the body holds:

Improved autonomic balance. Reduced sympathetic overdrive, better vagal tone (often reflected in calmer demeanor, steadier sleep, improved digestion).
Smoother sensory-motor processing. The brain receives clearer proprioceptive input from the neck; motor output can become less erratic.
Better hemodynamics. Freer vertebral artery inflow and venous/CSF outflow can contribute to a more stable intracranial environment.
Lowered mechanical irritation. Reduced tension on neural tissues in the upper cervical region lessens the constant “noise” the brain must filter.

Families often report that triggers carry less punch, intense days bounce back faster, and the “floor” of stability steadily rises. For some, this coincides with fewer or less intense tics, more predictable calm, or better seizure control maintained in partnership with their neurologist.

Important note: If you or your child has a seizure disorder, always maintain medical care and medication plans. Our role is to complement that plan by optimizing the structural and functional environment of the nervous system.

Who Might Benefit from an Upper Cervical Evaluation?

History of falls, sports hits, or whiplash
Birth stress (vacuum/forceps, prolonged labor)
Worsening symptoms with screen time, forward head posture, or fatigue
Co-existing issues: headaches, neck tightness, TMJ, dizziness, sleep dysregulation, anxiety, brain fog
“Normal” brain imaging but ongoing neurologic symptoms
Parents or adults looking for natural, non-drug complements to existing medical care

If you see yourself here, an atlas-focused evaluation may reveal modifiable factors that no one has measured before.

What Care Looks Like at Lavender Family Chiropractic (Sarasota)

Your First Visit

Detailed health history and goals
Tytron baseline scan
Review of whether 3D CBCT is appropriate (most patients benefit)
Gentle initial assessment—no surprises, no forceful maneuvers

Your Second Visit (Report of Findings)

We walk you through your imaging and scan data in plain English
We outline your custom correction strategy and expected milestones
First correction performed when clinically indicated

The Stabilization Phase

Early visits may be more frequent while your body learns to hold
We re-scan routinely; we do not adjust if your body is holding well
Visit spacing gradually increases to protect momentum and independence

Pediatric Considerations

For children with tics or Tourette’s, we prioritize comfort and trust. Corrections are extremely gentle and quick. Parents often notice improvements in sleep, focus, and self-regulation even before tic intensity wanes.

Adults with Longstanding Patterns

Decades of compensation don’t scare us—they inform us. With accurate vectors and patient pacing, your nervous system can still make meaningful gains in calm, clarity, and stability.

Safety, Collaboration, and Realistic Expectations

Safety: Upper cervical corrections are low-force and specific. We use imaging to avoid guesswork and to respect each patient’s anatomy.
Collaboration: If you’re under a physician’s care (neurology, pediatrics), we encourage co-management. If changes in medication become appropriate, those decisions belong with your prescribing doctor.
Expectations: Some people notice changes within days; others progress over weeks to months. The direction of change—steadier sleep, calmer baseline, fewer “big swings”—matters as much as any single day’s symptom score.

Red-flag reminder: Seek emergency medical attention for prolonged seizures, new neurological deficits, or worrisome changes. Chiropractic care is not a substitute for urgent medical evaluation.

Patient Experience Themes We Often Hear

While every case is unique, these are common reports from families and adults during care:

“The starts of tics are easier to resist or redirect.”
“We’re getting more good days in a row.”
“Sleep is more consistent, and mornings are smoother.”
“My child’s focus and mood seem steadier.”
“Seizure events feel shorter or less disruptive.”
“I’m less on edge; my body feels calmer.”

These are not promises—just honest themes that emerge when a system is less irritated and better regulated.

Why Choose Lavender Family Chiropractic in Sarasota

Upper Cervical Focus: We devote our clinical lives to the atlas/axis region.
3D CBCT & Tytron: Precision structure plus objective function—measured at every step.
Gentle, Specific Methods: No twisting, popping, or cracking.
Team Approach: Dr. Rusty Lavender and Dr. Jacob Temple collaborate on complex cases.
Regional Reach: Patients visit us from Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Parrish, Ellenton, Venice, Osprey, Punta Gorda, St. Petersburg, Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Lido Key, and Myakka City.
Encouraging Care: We lead with education, patience, and progress tracking—so you always know where you are in the process.

If you’ve been searching “chiropractor Sarasota Florida,” “upper cervical chiropractor near me,” “chiropractor near me,” or even “natural doctor Sarasota for seizures and tics,” we’d love to meet you, review your case, and see if atlas-focused care is a missing link.

How Atlas Misalignment Can Develop (and Linger) Without Obvious Pain

Not everyone with an atlas shift has neck pain. In fact, some of our most symptomatic neurologic patients report zero neck discomfort. Consider these pathways:

Early-life strain: Birth compression or early falls create a pattern the body cleverly compensates around for years.
Micro-traumas: Sports, posture, and screens impose thousands of small stresses that add up.
Whiplash history: Even “minor” crashes can alter ligament tension and joint orientation.
Dental/TMJ links: Bite imbalance changes cervical muscle tone; cervical tone feeds back into jaw mechanics.

Because the neck is the superhighway of proprioception to the brain, a distorted atlas can create constant “static” in motor planning—making tics harder to suppress and thresholds easier to cross.

Lifestyle Synergy: Building a Calmer, More Resilient Nervous System

Upper cervical care works best alongside simple, sustainable habits:

Regular sleep windows and light hygiene (morning sun, lower evening glare)
Screen breaks and posture resets (chin-tuck, shoulder-blade sets)
Hydration and mineral balance, especially on high-heat or high-activity days
Steady protein and balanced meals to avoid glucose rollercoasters
Calm down-shifts (nasal breathing, gentle walks, time outdoors)
Collaborative therapies (CBT, occupational therapy, neurofeedback)—we’re fans of objective, supportive tools

We’ll meet you where you are and help you stack wins that fit your life.

Top 15 FAQs: Seizures, Tics, Tourette’s, and Upper Cervical Chiropractic

1) What exactly is upper cervical chiropractic?
A specialty within chiropractic focusing on the top two neck bones—atlas (C1) and axis (C2)—and their relationship to the brainstem. We use 3D CBCT and Tytron scans to guide gentle, precise corrections.

2) Can atlas misalignment really influence seizures or tics?
It can contribute. The atlas impacts brainstem tension, blood/CSF flow, and proprioceptive input—factors that influence autonomic tone and motor regulation. Correcting misalignment doesn’t “treat epilepsy” directly; it supports a calmer, clearer system that may complement medical care.

3) Is the adjustment safe for kids with Tourette’s or tics?
Yes. We use low-force methods. Children generally tolerate care very well, and we adjust only when scans indicate it’s needed.

4) Will I hear or feel cracking?
No. Our methods are gentle and specific—no twisting, popping, or cracking.

5) Do I need a referral from my neurologist?
No referral is required, but we welcome co-management and are happy to share findings with your medical team.

6) How soon might changes appear?
Some families notice early shifts in sleep, calm, and recovery from triggers within days. Others need weeks to months for the nervous system to consolidate gains. Directional progress matters.

7) Do you take insurance?
Our office is out of network with insurance. Many of our patients receive a superbill to submit to their insurance for reimbursement based on their coverage. We offer many different payment options as well as finance options.

8) What makes Lavender Family Chiropractic different?
3D CBCT, Tytron, a team of three upper cervical doctors, and a hold-first philosophy—fewer, better-timed adjustments with ongoing measurement.

9) Can adults with decades of Tourette’s still benefit?
Yes. We regularly work with longstanding patterns. While outcomes vary, adults often report steadier calm, better sleep, and more predictable days as alignment holds.

10) Is upper cervical care a replacement for medications?
No. Medication decisions belong with your physician. We provide structural and functional support that may help your overall plan work better.

11) What does a typical care plan look like?
Early frequency to establish stability, then longer spacing as you hold corrections. We re-scan regularly and only adjust when needed.

12) What if my MRI was normal?
You can have a normal brain MRI and still have a mechanical problem at the atlas affecting function. That’s why we use CBCT and Tytron—to evaluate what standard studies may not capture.

13) Can I exercise or play sports during care?
Yes, with guidance. We’ll teach you posture and recovery strategies to protect your correction.

14) How long is the first visit?
Plan for 60–90 minutes for history, scans, and imaging review.

15) What results have you seen?
We cannot promise outcomes. Many families report calmer baselines, fewer intense days, and better regulation as alignment holds. We’ll show you objective scan changes along the way.

A Compassionate Word to Parents and Adults on This Journey

It’s normal to feel a mix of hope and skepticism. You’ve likely tried a lot already. Our invitation is simple: let’s measure what’s happening at the top of the neck, correct what doesn’t belong, and track how your system responds over time. Even small improvements in sleep, focus, or recovery can snowball into much bigger wins.

You’re not alone in this. We’ve built a practice around people like you—people who needed one more thoughtful, data-driven way to support the brain and body.

Service Areas (So You Know You’re in the Right Place)

We serve patients across Southwest Florida, including Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Parrish, Ellenton, Venice, Osprey, Punta Gorda, St. Petersburg, Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Lido Key, and Myakka City. If you’ve been searching “upper cervical chiropractor near me”, “chiropractor Sarasota Florida”, “natural doctor for seizures Sarasota”, or “natural help for tics/Tourette’s”, you’ve found a team that focuses on root-cause structure and functional calm.

Your Next Step

If you or your child is living with seizures, tics, or Tourette’s, and you want a natural, gentle, and measured way to support the nervous system, schedule a consultation with Lavender Family Chiropractic. We’ll review your history, perform appropriate scans, and create a personalized plan grounded in the anatomy that matters most—the atlas and axis.

Lavender Family Chiropractic in Sarasota Florida offers complimentary consultations to learn more about you. Click the link below!

https://intake.chirohd.com/new-patient-scheduling/724/lavender-family-chiropractic

Visit our Website!

To learn more about us go to http://www.chiropractorsarasotaflorida.com

We also service Bradenton, Parrish, Ellenton, Ruskin, Venice, Tampa, St. Pete, Osprey, Longboat, Lakewood Ranch, Myakka City.

If you are in Tampa, Fort Myers, or Salt Lake City, you can visit my other locations! NeckWise Upper Cervical. Visit, www.neckwise.com

If you are not local, visit www.uccnearme.com to find a doctor in your area.

Address: 5899 Whitfield Ave Ste 107, Sarasota, FL 34243
Phone: (941) 243-3729
Website: www.chiropractorsarasotaflorida.com
Instagram: @lavenderfamilysrq
TikTok: @drrustylavender

We specialize in upper cervical chiropractic for complex conditions—with 3D CBCT imaging, Tytron functional nervous system scans, and gentle, precise adjustments designed to help your body find calm and hold it. Reach out today and discover what can change when your nervous system finally gets the clear, steady support it deserves.