PANDAS & PANS: The Hidden Link Between Infections and Neurological Symptoms
If your child suddenly develops severe anxiety, repetitive behaviors, or tics, PANDAS or PANS could be the underlying cause—a complex and often misunderstood neuro-immune disorder. Traditional medicine may rely on antibiotics and salt tabs, while functional medicine focuses on gut and immune health. But for true healing, the key is addressing the autonomic nervous system, where deep-seated stress and tension often remain trapped. 🧠 Want to understand how it’s all connected? Watch this eye-opening video by Dr. Drake!
If your child has suddenly developed intense anxiety, obsessive behaviors like repetitive hand washing, or uncontrollable motor and verbal tics, you may suspect something neurological is at play. Yet, when standard medical tests come back normal, it can leave you feeling dismissed and without clear answers.
However, there is hope—your child’s struggles may stem from PANDAS or PANS, two complex disorders linked to infections that confuse the immune system, triggering dramatic psychiatric symptoms. These conditions, which often affect teenagers and young girls, are particularly challenging because they create significant imbalance and dysfunction within both the brain and nervous system. That means the most effective care must simultaneously support the immune system and restore nervous system balance.
Getting the right diagnosis is crucial, and with a comprehensive, multifaceted approach, relief is possible.
This video is for parents desperate to understand why their child’s personality and behaviors changed virtually overnight—when other diagnoses don’t quite fit. We’ll explore how infections, immune dysfunction, inflammation, and nervous system disruption all intersect in PANDAS and PANS.
In this video, you’ll learn:
How PANDAS and PANS differ from other neurological conditions.
How infections like strep disrupt the immune system, leading to sudden anxiety and OCD.
The vicious cycle that requires both immune-based and nervous system support.
The essential steps to uncover root causes and restore calm, regulation, and balance in your child’s life.
Caleb’s family was caught in an overwhelming struggle. In the middle of 4th grade, his vibrant personality dimmed under the weight of major motor tics, mood swings, and focus difficulties. A PANDAS diagnosis was part of the puzzle.
Despite seeking help from “every specialist under the sun,” little progress was made. Neurologists diagnosed him with Tourette’s, while psychiatrists tried medications for anxiety and ADHD, but the improvements were minimal.
As his grades slipped and he felt increasingly isolated at school, Caleb’s family knew something wasn’t right. That’s when they discovered Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care through a trusted recommendation.
From the very first visit, his mom said, “They made us feel heard and gave us hope again.” Though cautious after previous disappointments, deep down, she felt this approach was exactly what Caleb needed.
With full commitment to his personalized care plan, the results soon spoke for themselves. His tics started disappearing—a tremendous relief for the whole family!
Now, with continued care, his tics have reduced by 90%, his grades are improving, and his mood is far more stable. His mom also reports that he’s more easily redirected and engaging better socially with peers.
With his nervous system more regulated, Caleb is also working through a PANDAS protocol with an integrative pediatrician—bringing even more hope for the future. Way to go, Caleb! Keep up the great work!
PANDAS stands for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections. Let’s break it down:
Autoimmune: The immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells, causing inflammation that interferes with brain function. In PANDAS, antibodies meant to fight strep end up disrupting brain signaling.
Streptococcal: This refers to the strep bacteria that can trigger the autoimmune response, leading to neurological changes.
PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome): A similar condition that can be triggered by infections beyond strep, such as influenza, pneumonia, or even food poisoning. Despite different triggers, both conditions present with sudden and severe symptoms.
Both PANDAS and PANS primarily affect the basal ganglia, a brain region that regulates cognition, emotions, movement, and behavior. They also impact the vagus nerve, which plays a crucial role in calming the nervous system and regulating digestion and immune function—explaining why these disorders produce such sudden and widespread symptoms.
Beyond inflammation, two critical neurological factors also play a role: Subluxation and Dysautonomia.
Subluxation: When excessive tension builds in the neck, upper back, and other parts of the nervous system, the body gets stuck in a stressed “fight or flight” state.
Dysautonomia: A severe imbalance in the autonomic nervous system and vagus nerve, further worsening immune dysfunction and emotional instability.
We can detect and measure these neurological imbalances using advanced INSiGHT Scanning Technology, particularly Heart Rate Variability (HRV), which reveals nervous system stress and regulation.
It creates a destructive domino effect—a “perfect storm” where infections trigger immune dysfunction, leading to inflammation that disrupts brain-body communication. If left unchecked, subluxation and sympathetic dominance worsen the cycle, leading to increased stress, exhaustion, and dysfunction.
The first step in addressing PANDAS or PANS is restoring neurological function and autonomic balance through Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care. In many cases, an intensive initial approach with multiple adjustments per week is necessary to help reset the nervous system.
Why does this matter? If the nervous system remains dysregulated and in a constant stress state, the immune and digestive systems cannot function properly—making it difficult for the body to clear infections, no matter how effective the functional medicine, diet changes, detoxes, or supplements.
Traditional medical approaches often leave parents feeling dismissed, while heavy medications can sometimes drive the infections and dysautonomia even deeper.
That’s why we encourage families to build a comprehensive care team, including Neurologically-Focused Chiropractors and Functional or Integrative Care Professionals.
To take the first step in adding Nervous System Regulation to your child’s care, comment below or send us a DM to schedule a consultation—we’d love to help!
There is hope! PANDAS and PANS can be put into remission, allowing children to reclaim their happiness and resilience. The key lies in persistent investigation and a multi-layered care approach that fully addresses neuro-immune dysfunction.
Your child deserves to thrive again, and we’re here to help make that possible!