Children and Chiropractic care

Children and Chiropractic care

Chiropractic is steadily growing as a profession as the amount of parents who are seeking chiropractic care for their children. I have people all the time ask how can chiropractic help my child if they do not have back or neck pain. Many spinal problems that are seen in adults begin as early as birth. The birthing process in some situations can be a very traumatic that can stress the baby’s spine and skull. Colic, breathing issues, nursing difficulties, sleeping problems, allergies, and chronic ear infections often can be traced to the stress on the nervous system. As infants quickly grow and develop, spinal alignment is so important for activities like holding their head up, sitting, crawling, and eventually walking. It is important to understand that chiropractic does not treat a condition or disease, rather improving misalignments. Misalignments in the spine that can impair the nervous system therefore affecting overall body function.

Many parents are nervous when bringing in their children, especially if they have never been to a chiropractor themselves. This is completely understandable and those doctors with experience with pediatrics will explain everything in depth and gain your trust prior to any treatment being performed. So what to expect when bringing your child to the chiropractor? The doctor will do a thorough exam starting with taking a history of the child. Posture analysis, orthopedic tests, range of motion, and palpation of the muscles, bones, and ligaments will most likely be performed. Along with an exam of the body system that is affected will be performed. As mentioned above, there are many ways chiropractic care can help children through various stages of growing.

Ear Infections

Chiropractic care corrects misalignments in the spinal column, jaw, and possibly cranial bones. This also reduces muscle tension, decreases inflammation, increases mobility, and establishes proper blood flow and lymph drainage, all of which can affect the function of the middle ear and Eustachian tube. According to Dr. Joan Fallon, author of a study published in the Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics, “Chiropractic mobilizes drainage of the ear in children, and if they can drain without a buildup of fluid and subsequent infection, they build their own antibodies and recover faster.”

Colic

Misalignments in the spine can compromise the major systems in the body, such as the digestive system. Problems with the digestion of breast milk and formula can cause major discomfort in a baby, leading to colic episodes. Colic is defined as inconsolable crying in an infant for as least three hours a day, at least three days a week, for at least three weeks (The Rule of 3). A colicky baby typically presents with a loud piercing cry, flexed legs, tensed abdominal muscles, and clenched fingers. Chiropractic care has shown some of the best results, with 94% of colicky babies demonstrating improvement with care.

Scoliosis

Although scoliosis can begin at any age, it most often develops in adolescents typically girls between the ages of 10 and 15 due to the rapid growth of the body. Scoliosis can significantly affect the quality of life by limiting activity, causing pain, reducing lung capacity, and in severe cases affecting heart function. There are various forms of treatment for scoliosis depending on the severity of the curve. A doctor or clinician will take x-rays of the spine to make a firm diagnosis of scoliosis and how severe the curve is. Things then will be taken into account such as where the curve is in the spine, the degree of the curve, and the age and growing stage of the patient.

Chiropractic care and procedures are modified to fit a child’s size, weight, and unique spinal condition. They are both gentle and specific to the child’s developing spinal structures. Most parents report that their children enjoy their chiropractic adjustments and look forward to subsequent visits. They also report that their children experience a greater level of health while under regular chiropractic care.