Chiropractic and Kids
There are a growing number of parents who are seeking alternatives and natural forms of health care for their family.
Is chiropractic care safe for children?
Yes! There have been several large-scale research studies verifying the safety and effectiveness of chiropractic care for kids. The amount of force used to adjust an infant is comparable to the amount of force you used to test a ripe tomato.
Why do kids need chiropractic care?
Bones model in response to physical stresses (Wolff’s Law). Proper joint movement is needed to distribute these forces for proper bone development. During growth spurts especially, a balance in the muscles and joints is especially important for proper development. Just like the bones of the skeleton, your child’s nervous system is also developing at a rapid rate. The nervous system includes the brain, spinal cord, and the millions of nerves that serve every inch of your body and control most of its functions. Both bones and the joints need proper motion for optimal development.
Is chiropractic care for kids the same as it is for adults?
Although the basic premise for chiropractic care is the same whether the patient is 90 years old or 9 days old, the ever-growing and changing active little bodies of children have distinct needs depending on their stage of development. Generally, children respond much faster and more profoundly to chiropractic care than adults do. They have not subjected their bodies to the same years of abuse that we have. Another major difference is that pain is not a primary symptom. This can make it more difficult for parents to know when kids need to visit their chiropractor. There are certain signs that we can watch for to gain insight into when children need adjusted, such as changes in posture, trouble breast feed from both breasts equally, balance problems, and running with a limp or a flared-out leg. As mentioned before, the amount of force used and the specific techniques vary depending on the specific needs of the child and what stage of development they are in.
When should I start bringing my kids in?
It is never too early to bring your child to the chiropractor. Infants just minutes old are often checked by the loving hands or the chiropractor and it is not uncommon to stop by the chiropractor’s office on the way home from the hospital. The birthing process is physically strenuous for both mom and baby, so it is best to get them both cared for as soon as possible afterwards. That being said, it is never too late either! Children may enjoy the benefits of chiropractic care at any age or stage of development.
(If you really want to maximize the benefits of chiropractic care for your child, you can start by taking care of mom while baby is still in the womb!)
How often should I bring them in?
Chiropractic for kids will vary as much as chiropractic for adults. As mentioned above, it is often difficult to know when your kids need to see the chiropractor because they do not generally experience pain when misaligned. To help with this issue, we recommend setting regular Well-Child visits, the same way you would with your dentist and pediatrician. These help catch minor issues before they turn into major problems.
Recommended Well-Child Schedule:
- First month of life as soon as possible
- Every 3 months for the first year
- Every 6-12 months for every year thereafter
- Other times to consider bring kids in for an appointment include:
- Major milestones (such as starting to sit up, crawl, walk, etc.)
- Any trauma or falls
- If you notice any signs of imbalance (limping, head tilting, etc.)
- Common Childhood Conditions (below)
Common Childhood Conditions Helped by Chiropractic Care:
- ADHD & Autism Spectrum Disorders*
- Ear infections
- Common Cold
- Colic
- Constipation
- Growing pains
- Scoliosis
- Bed wetting
- Breastfeeding difficulties
- Birthing Trauma
- Mood disorders
- Sports injuries