Covenant Integrative Health

06/05/2026

Sometimes Rage Is Not a Discipline Problem

Sometimes it's inflammation affecting the brain. We've worked with children who:

• became explosive seemingly overnight
• developed irrational anger
• experienced intense emotional swings
• frightened even themselves with their reactions

And in some cases, underlying tickborne infections were part of the picture. Inflammation can affect:

🧠 emotional regulation
⚡ stress response
🔥 neurological function

Which means a child may react in ways that seem extreme, unpredictable, or completely out of character.

This doesn't mean there shouldn't be boundaries or support.
But it does mean we should ask: WHY is the nervous system so reactive?

Learn more: https://covenantwellness.net/chronic-infections

06/04/2026

One of the most confusing things about Alpha-Gal syndrome?
The reaction is often delayed.

Unlike a classic food allergy, symptoms may not appear until 3–6 hours later.

Which means:

🍔 Dinner seemed fine.
😴 Bedtime was rough.
🌅 The next morning was worse.

And no one connects it back to food.

Alpha-Gal is triggered by tick bites and can cause reactions to:

• beef
• pork
• lamb
• sometimes dairy or gelatin

Symptoms may include:

• abdominal pain
• nausea
• hives
• flushing
• anxiety
• fatigue
• inflammation

Some kids look "off" after eating. And because the timing is delayed, it's often missed entirely.

This is one of the many reasons we always look for patterns—not just isolated symptoms.

Learn more: https://covenantwellness.net/chronic-infections

06/03/2026

If your child's feet hurt in the morning, pay attention. Particularly if they describe:

• burning feet
• heel pain
• "walking on glass"
• pain that moves around
• sensitivity without injury

This pattern is surprisingly common in children with Bartonella, a tick-borne co-infection that can affect:

🦠 nerves
🩸 blood vessels
🧠 the nervous system

Many parents assume:

❌ growing pains
❌ flat feet
❌ plantar fasciitis

But sometimes the issue is inflammatory and neurological—not structural. And here's the tricky part: Standard testing often misses Bartonella.

Which means many children go years without answers. When foot pain comes alongside:

• anxiety
• rage
• sensory issues
• sleep disruption
• stretch marks
• OCD/tics
…we should look deeper!

Learn more: https://covenantwellness.net/chronic-infections

06/02/2026

Sometimes it's not "just ADHD."

Sometimes it's inflammation affecting the brain. We've seen children with:

• poor focus
• emotional dysregulation
• anxiety
• rage
• sensory challenges
• sudden school struggles
…who later turned out to have underlying tick-borne infections.

Lyme and co-infections can affect:

🧠 the nervous system
🦠 the immune system
⚡ energy production
🔥 inflammatory pathways

And because symptoms often fluctuate, these kids are frequently misunderstood.

One of the biggest clues? "Good days" and "bad days" that don't make sense. If your child's symptoms changed suddenly—or worsened after illness, stress, or time outdoors—it may be worth looking deeper.

Because behavior is communication.

Learn more: https://covenantwellness.net/chronic-infections

06/01/2026

Catch Up with Covenant!

The June Newsletter Is Here: https://conta.cc/4dQsK9j

05/31/2026

When PANS Doesn't Look Sudden: The Slow-Onset Child
by Dr. Sonia McGowin D.C.

When most people think of PANS or PANDAS, they imagine a dramatic overnight change. In fact, "acute onset: is part of the diagnostic criteria.

A child wakes up anxious, obsessive, aggressive, or withdrawn. Parents can point to a specific day when everything shifted. But in real clinical practice, many children with PANS/PANDAS don't follow that textbook pattern.

Instead, their symptoms creep in slowly. And those children are often the most misunderstood.

Read More: https://thewhymatters.net/when-pans-not-sudden

05/30/2026

05/29/2026

May is National Dental Care Month, a time to highlight the connection between routine dental hygiene and overall wellness. Healthy oral habits begin early, which is why it's important for children to brush twice a day, floss daily, and visit the dentist every six months. The habits established in childhood often continue into adulthood, helping support healthier smiles for life.

05/28/2026

We're excited to officially launch our new website! 🎉

The new site makes it easier to learn about our services, explore topics, and connect with our team. From education to scheduling, everything is now simpler, faster, and more user-friendly.

Take a look around and let us know what you think!

https://covenantwellness.net/

05/27/2026

The Most Accurate Parenting Statement Ever Written 😂

You love them more than anything, but by 8:17 p.m., you're like:
"Please. Just. Go. To. Bed." If bedtime feels like a nightly marathon in your house, you're not alone.

For many families—especially those with kids who are more sensitive, wired, or dealing with underlying challenges—sleep can be one of the hardest pieces to figure out.

And it's rarely just about "not being tired." Sometimes it's:

• a nervous system that won't settle
• a brain that stays "on"
• blood sugar ups and downs
• underlying inflammation
• or simply a body that hasn't learned how to wind down yet

The good news? Sleep is something we can work on.
And when it improves, everything else tends to get easier too.
Until then… solidarity, parents. We see you.