Chiropractic for Pediatrics
Children experience rapid growth and development during the few years of life. It is a time when musculoskeletal growth occurs quickly and often in ‘spurts’, putting stress on their young bodies. Though children may not experience pain or obvious complications from musculoskeletal injuries, even the tiniest subluxations may worsen and cause pain later in life if left untreated. Fortunately, children generally respond faster and more effectively to chiropractic treatment than adults do, and early treatment may also help prevent spine and nerve problems that could become symptomatic in the future.
Did you know…that chiropractic care is appropriate for children of all ages? Though the techniques for pediatric chiropractic treatment vary, the premise of care is the same for a 1-year old as it is for a 100-year old. Many parents choose to bring their infants to the chiropractor for adjustments shortly after the birthing process, which is physically demanding for newborns. Other activities that can cause subluxation in children include learning to crawl, learning to walk and sitting up without support for long periods of time. |
Please visit International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (www.icpa4kids.org) for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my child needs chiropractic treatment?
Unless your child has sustained a serious injury, it can be difficult to determine whether he or she needs chiropractic treatment. That is why we recommend scheduling periodic chiropractic well-check visits to ensure your child’s spine and nerves are in optimal alignment for childhood development.
How often will my child need pediatric chiropractic treatment?
If your child is in good health and not experiencing pain, your chiropractor may recommend well visits one to two times per year. If, however, your child has suffered an injury resulting in pain or imbalances like limping or favoring one side, schedule an appointment with your child’s chiropractor right away.
Besides improving musculoskeletal health, what else can chiropractic do for my child?
We believe the body’s overall health is connected to the spine and nerves. We also believe that the body is capable of healing and recovering from traumas and injuries when given the proper tools to do so. Though treatment results vary from child to child, chiropractic may be beneficial for improving childhood conditions like ADHD, colic and even frequent ear infections.