Chiropractic for Kids
Why do kids need Chiropractic?
From birth, babies fight an uphill battle. Traditional medical birthing procedures put harsh stress on the spine, especially the fragile bones of the neck. As babies grow, childhood activities can jar the spine and cause Vertebral Subluxations. These spinal problems can cause many of the health concerns children complain of, often these complaints are brushed off or it is said that the child will “grow out of it”.
On the contrary, kids need Chiropractic care during this time of rapid growth to correct spinal problems before they “grow into” larger ones or more significant health problems. Many health problems that emerge in adulthood can often be prevented by having your children’s spine checked by a Chiropractor early.
People of all ages, infants, young kids, growing adolescents, and adults all can benefit from Chiropractic care to keep their nervous system working at its best, thus optimizing our health.
When should kids be checked for subluxation?
Immediately following birth! Birth is one of the most traumatic events of our lives. Even a so-called “natural” child birth can stress a developing spine. The result can be irritation to the nervous system and may cause many newborn health complaints. Unexplained crying or colic, poor appetite or feeding problems, poor sleep patterns, breathing problems and allergic reactions can often be traced to nervous system dysfunction caused by a malfunctioning spine.
It is also important to understand that an infants spine grows almost 50% in length in his first year. If the child has a small problem it will literally grow into a larger problem, simply due to normal childhood growth.
Of course, if your child is now months, years or even decades old, they should still be checked for Subluxation.
Is Chiropractic safe for kids?
Absolutely! The amount of force needed to adjust an infant’s spine is similar to the pressure used to test the ripeness of a tomato.
Not only is Chiropractic safe for children, it is safe for every stage of life. This is evidenced by the fact that Chiropractors have the lowest malpractice premiums of all the health care professions. In the nearly 110 year history of Chiropractic, caring for millions of children and babies, there has not been one single research paper published on harm done to a child.
Parents often report that their children enjoy their Chiropractic adjustments and that they are healthier than their peers.
My child is healthy, why should he be checked by a Chiropractor?
Most individuals understand that having your eyes checked an Optometrist and your teeth checked by a Dentist is of great importance. But has your child’s spine and nervous system been checked? If not your child is missing one of the most important checkups he could ever have. Chiropractic checks the state and function of the spine and nervous system.
It is of vital importance that your child’s spine is forming properly; misaligned vertebrae can prevent the proper formation of the child’s spine. Although he may seem healthy, underlying nervous system dysfunction may prevent optimal performance as he grows. Chiropractic checkups are an important factor in your child’s growth and development.
As the twig is bent, so grows the tree!
Why do some medical doctors think children should not receive Chiropractic care?
The answer is quite simple, a lack of understanding. In this increasingly sick world our medical doctors are busier than ever. Their time and resources are limited. Many medical professionals do not have time to read medical literature. Much of the research medical doctors are exposed to is provided by pharmaceutical companies. Needless to say, this research does not speak about Chiropractic.
Often medical doctors do not know how safe Chiropractic is, nor of its benefits. Many individuals and doctors alike think Chiropractic is a symptomatic approach to a patient’s problem (pain) and if you do not have a pain of some sort, Chiropractic has nothing to offer.
Actually, Chiropractic is not a treatment for a condition, an illness, or any type of pain, it is the correction of the vertebral subluxation. Thankfully times are changing, Chiropractic has never received greater acceptance as a profession than it does today.
How does Chiropractic help children suffering from a condition which does not seem related to their back? (e.g. Asthma, Colic, Ear infections, ADHD, Crohn’s Disease, etc.)
You may be surprised to learn that Chiropractic care is not the treatment of any particular condition. The purpose of Chiropractic is to make certain the body functions without interference. In order to understand what this means you first understand the following four principles.
- The body is a self-healing organism, designed to heal itself.
- This mechanism is controlled by the nervous system and as long as nothing interferes with that function, we experience optimal health.
- If something interferes with the nervous system, our ability to heal ourselves is interrupted.
- The mission of Chiropractic is to remove that interference and restore health.
In dealing with children who are affected by conditions such as Asthma, Colic, ADHD, or Ear infections our primary mission is to help the child’s body function optimally. This is achieved by restoring the system which runs it, the nervous system. So, Chiropractic is not directed at any condition, rather, it is directed at the interference to the child’s health, subluxation.
Is Chiropractic all I need to do to keep my child healthy?
A: No, unfortunately it is not that simple. Children, like adults, should live a balanced life to obtain optimal health. Many factors determine our overall health. These include: diet, exercise, proper rest, emotional and spiritual support, and a properly functioning nervous system. If one of these areas is disrupted, your child may not experience optimal health.
It is possible to raise healthy kids, naturally!
A study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Research has found that there is a “definite correlation between chiropractic care and superior health.” In fact, this study
“has shown that children raised under chiropractic care are less prone to infectious processes such as otitis media and tonsillitis, and that their immune systems are better able to cope with allergens such as pollen,weeds, grasses, etc. compared to children raised under allopathic care. There is also a significant decreased history of antibiotic therapy use among the ‘Chiropractic’ children, this indicating a lower susceptibility to bacterial infections as a result of greater immune system response.”
Additional observations included a more rapid recovery period for children under Chiropractic care.
