Children & Chiropractic

A Winning Combination.

How does chiropractic care work?

The answer to this is simple if I explain a few things about how the body works! When a joint in the spine or the cranium doesn't move properly (a condition called a subluxation), it has the potential to irritate the nervous system. It's the nervous system that run's our body, carrying instructions from the brain to distant body parts. If this communication system is disrupted, the affected body part may or may not function properly. Chiropractic care removes the source of irritation, allowing the body to heal and operate properly.

Once the locked joint is released with a procedure called an 'adjustment', the nerve irritation disappears and restores proper communication between the brain and organ systems.

Is chiropractic care safe for children or babies?

Many children visit chiropractors these days, I see many children at my office for chiropractic adjustments especially those who are active in sports such as soccer, badminton, tennis, softball, basketball, gymnastics etc.

What pediatric conditions can a chiropractor help?

There are a wide range of conditions that a chiropractor can help with in children such as:

Neonate-Infant:

• Colic/Irritability
  
• Poor sleep
  
• Nursing problems
• Reflux/spitting up
• Constipation
• Asymmetrical head shape
• Torticollis/head tilt
• Sutural ridging
• Sleep apnea or snoring
• Asymmetrical crawl or gait

Toddler and Preschool-Age Child:

• Ear infections
• Chronic upper respiratory infections
• Asthma
• Growing pains/foot or leg cramping
• Bed-wetting
• Incontinence (bowel or bladder)
• Pervasive developmental disorders including Autism, sensory integration disorder, ADD, ADHD, learning disabilities

School-Age Child and Adolescents:

• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Headaches
• Scoliosis
• Gait abnormalities
• Extremity injuries (chronic ankle sprains, knee pain, shoulder pain, etc)
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Chronic upper respiratory illness
  

It's important to remember that Chiropractic Physicians have a scope of practice that ranges from manual adjustments, exercise and postural advice, herbal and nutritional supplements, and lifestyle and dietary advice.

Chiropractic Physicians and medical physicians complement each other; as a team, they provide complete health care for your child.

"To your Health" Magazine January 2010 issue for more information.