Do children need chiropractic care? Many people are wary to take their child to see a chiropractor because they do not understand the benefits their child can experience from chiropractic treatment. Here are answers to commonly asked questions about chiropractic care for children.
Why do children need chiropractic care?
A chiropractor can help a child overcome chronic headaches, back pain, growing pains, and can even help boost their immune system. Children are constantly falling, and getting back up again. Little falls can cause subluxations in the spine. Subluxations are slight misalignments in the spine that compress nerve pathways. These misalignments can prevent the brain from communicating with the body properly. Although children may not have any symptoms or experience any pain immediately following a fall, they should regularly receive a checkup from a chiropractor. If left unchecked, little misalignments could lead to problems and pain down the road.
Can chiropractic care help boost my child’s immune system?
As stated earlier, subluxations compress the nerve pathways, making it difficult for the brain to communicate with the rest of the body. These pathways are important for fighting off illnesses. Chiropractic care has been known to prevent childhood illnesses such as ear infections, tonsillitis, and has been known to help with allergies. Keeping the spine in alignment is a great way to help keep the body balanced to give it the best chance to ward off illness.
How old should my child be before taking them to see a chiropractor?
A newly born child can safely be adjusted by a chiropractor. Why would a newborn need an adjustment, you might ask? The birthing process for a child can be very traumatic on their little spine. If a child is not in the perfect position, it can cause their spine to be jammed or pushed out of place. This is especially true if any intervention method such as inductions, forceps, ventouse suction is used during the birth of the child. This can be the cause of colic in babies, babies who won’t sleep, and babies who breastfeed poorly, or only on one side.
How do chiropractors adjust newborns?
A chiropractor will lay the child on the mother or the father’s chest and will use gentle techniques to adjust the child’s spine to put it back in alignment. A child’s spine can be easily manipulated, and therefore can be put into alignment with gentle movements.
How often should my child be adjusted?
Parents should take their children to see a chiropractor on a regular basis. During the first year of life, a child will triple their birth weight. It is during such periods of rapid growth that the spine is most likely to develop problems. Children also experience plenty of falls while learning how to sit up, crawl and walk. Little falls and periods of rapid growth can cause subluxations in the spine, and they should, therefore, receive regular chiropractic care.
Children need chiropractic care just as much as adults. Chiropractic care for children is safe and effective. It will help them be their best selves. It will also help keep their bodies in alignment and help ward off needless pain and illness.
References:
https://pathwaystofamilywellness.org/Chiropractic/chiropractic-care-for-children.html
https://www.verywellfamily.com/normal-growth-of-young-children-2632414
https://www.chiroone.net/how-chiropractic-helps/kids-and-chiropractic
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/200608/immune-boost-is-spinal-zap
“Kids Need Chiropractic Too!” Third Edition by Peter N. Fysh, DC, FICCP
