Kids need chiropractic care too.
Many people ask and wonder, why do children and babies need chiropractic care? The answer is that the birth process can be stressful on their delicate bodies. Forces applied to their heads and necks can compress, or traction their sensitive nerve structures and bones causing problems in early childhood, or planting the seed for issues that will arise later in life. People ask, when should I first bring my child in to the dentist? The answer is…when they first get their teeth. Taking care of the dental health of our children is known to be and important, life-long endeavour. Chiropractic is similar. We as chiropractors want to care for a person’s spine, joints and nervous system function for life, and just as a cavity can start to form as soon as a tooth erupts into the mouth, spinal joint and nervous system issues can arise from birth onwards.
A stressed child with structural/physical injury or subluxation has excessive, or abnormal input to their quickly developing nervous system. This abnormal input alters how the child develops neurologically and leaves them susceptible to being unable to adapt to and process more information as they age. If a child’s sympathetic nervous system is over stimulated and they are in a fight or flight state, they are not as able to cope with learning and integrating new skills. This could lead to them experiencing issues with achieving neurotypical milestones, contribute to a lesser state of well-being, and stop them from reaching their full potential. We can all relate to how difficult it can be for us, as adults, to be at our best if we are constantly, stressed, tired, and in pain/discomfort. Children have the same experience. Early childhood is a vital time to lay down good patterns and habits with a nervous system that is functioning at it’s optimum. Chiropractic care of the young maximizes the chances of having children that grow up to be resilient, adaptable and able to express themselves fully.
What is it?
Pediatric chiropractic care offers gentle and safe adjustments for children to enhance spine and nervous system functionality, promoting growth and development. The nervous system regulates all bodily functions such as the immune response, digestion and sleep.
Did you know?
During the initial 2 years of life, a human brain grows to about 90% of its adult volume. Spinal subluxation may impact the transmission of information to the brain, resulting in compensations.
Stress on the Nervous System
For infants, these symptoms could manifest as fussiness, poor sleep, preferential head turning (torticollis), flat spots on the head (plagiocephaly), or colic. Children and teenagers might encounter headaches, pain, or struggles with concentration
What is Involved?
There will be some initial paperwork, a thorough history and examination. A course of care will be recommended depending on the findings of the initial history and examination. An initial visit is approximately an hour. Subsequent visits range from 15-30 minutes.
What causes Subluxation?
Subluxation can be caused by trauma, whether physical, chemical, or emotional. Factors such birth, in utero positioning, Caesarean section, falls, poor posture, excessive use of technology, and diet can all play a role in causing subluxation. Subluxations cause abnormal stimulus to the central nervous system when sensitive neurological tissue is either compressed, or tractioned. Gestation and the birth process, with or without intervention, can place undue compressive forces on the skull and neck, or traction forces on the neck, contributing to subluxation and related health problems.
A Part of a Child’s Health Care Team
Pediatric chiropractors work collaboratively with other health care providers. In managing our pediatric patients, we regular work collaboratively with lactation consultants, medical doctor’s, nurses and nurse practitioners, dentists and orthodontists.