Should Children Receive Chiropractic?
Why Should Children Receive Chiropractic?
There are many reasons why children receive chiropractic care. Many spinal problems seen in adults begin as early as birth. Since significant spinal trauma can occur at birth many parents have their newborns checked. Even so called ‘natural’ birthing methods can stress a developing spine. The resulting irritation to the nerve system caused by spinal misalignments can be the cause of many newborn health complaints. Colic, breathing problems, nursing difficulties, sleep disturbances, allergic reactions can often be traced to nerve system dysfunction.
In the infant, learning to hold up the head, sit, crawl and walk are all activities that affect spinal alignment and are important times to have a child checked by a Doctor of Chiropractic.
As the child grows and begins to participate in regular childhood activities like skating or riding a bike, small yet significant spinal misalignments (subluxations) may occur. If neglected, the injuries during this period of rapid growth may lead to more serious problems later in life. Subtle traumas will affect the future development of the spine leading to impaired nervous system function. Any interference to the vital nerve system will adversely affect the body’s ability to function at its best.
Why Are Parents Taking Their Children To The Chiropractor?
One of the most common reasons a parent seeks care for their child is trauma; a fall or an injury of some sort. These misalignments may or may not result in immediate pain or symptoms. Regular chiropractic checkups can identify potential spinal injury from these traumas, make the correction early in life and help avoid many of the health complaints seen later in adults. Proper spinal hygiene is an important key to better health.
Another sought out reason for care is the resolution of a particular symptom or condition. Parents seek care for conditions such as colic, ear infections, asthma, allergies and headaches because they have heard from other parents that chiropractic care helps.
It is important to understand that the doctor of chiropractic does not diagnose or treat conditions or diseases. The expertise of the chiropractor is in checking the child’s spine for misalignments that impair overall body function. The bones of the spine, the vertebrae house and protect the spinal cord. The spinal cord is an extension of the brain and carries information from the brain to the body parts and back to the brain again.
Subluxations interfere with the nerves’ ability to transmit vital information throughout the body.
The nerve system controls and coordinates the function of all the systems in the body: circulatory, respiratory, digestive, hormonal, eliminative and immune system. Any aspect of health may be impaired by nerve interference. The chiropractic adjustment restores nerve system function allowing the body’s ability to express a greater state of health and well-being.
Is Chiropractic For Kids Safe, Gentle and Necessary?
The doctor of chiropractic will evaluate a child in a different manner than a medical doctor. They will perform a detailed evaluation to determine if spinal subluxations exist. Chiropractic adjusting 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.
Lastly, the ideal reason for a parent to take their child to a chiropractor is to enhance their ability to function in a greater state of health, to grow and develop optimally. This type of parent would consider it not only beneficial for their child, but essential to helping them be at their best. If you have family members that do not live locally, we can help you find a doctor of chiropractic near them who is dedicated to serving children with the utmost of care, like we do. Your family deserves to experience the many benefits of chiropractic care. Please, let us help you do just that.
And, please help us tell others!
