Pediatric Care
Our Methods In Healing
When should you see a Pediatric Chiropractor?
Why Pediatric Chiropractic Care Is Beneficial For A Child’s Development
Improved Sleep
Having proper sleep is an essential part of a child’s life. Sound sleep doesn’t just help them function during the day, but it is also important for their overall development and emotional well-being. Since pediatric chiropractic care works effectively to release stress in the body, it can improve sleeping patterns in children. Certain tensions can cause sleeping troubles such as insomnia. Experienced pediatric chiropractors can also help address the issue of bedwetting.
Improved Immune System
Having proper sleep is an essential part of a child’s life. Sound sleep doesn’t just help them function during the day, but it is also important for their overall development and emotional well-being. Since pediatric chiropractic care works effectively to release stress in the body, it can improve sleeping patterns in children. Certain tensions can cause sleeping troubles such as insomnia. Experienced pediatric chiropractors can also help address the issue of bedwetting.
Improved Attitude and Behavior
Pediatric chiropractic care helps in reducing stress and anxiety and helps in improving a child’s behavior. Chiropractic care is also beneficial in improving their mood and attitude by releasing tension. When their bodies are developing in the right way, they should feel happy and be active throughout the day. With an improved attitude, they can develop a positive mindset.
Improved Nervous System
Pediatric chiropractors help your child develop a healthy nervous system. Chiropractors make sure the spine is growing correctly. This prevents and treats certain nervous system issues like ear infections.
Improved Brain Development
Chiropractic care is quite beneficial for overall brain development. With chiro therapies, the nerves of the brain develop a strong connection with the rest of the body. Pressure gets released on bones and joints, as well as the spine. Increased brain development promotes better concentration. It can improve focus and reduce hyperactivity. This includes targeting conditions such as ADHD.
Conditions Chiropractic Care Can Treat
Wellness visits allow a chiropractor to identify and treat problematic subluxations quickly, which can improve a child’s overall health and wellness and offer welcome support for their immune system. The benefits of chiropractic care for children also extend to the treatment of specific conditions, including the following:
- Ear infections
- Digestive issues
- Allergies
- Colic
- Asthma
- Sleep issues
- Sports injuries
- Headaches
- Concentration and focus issues
- Irritable baby syndrome
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Asperger’s syndrome, autism, and autism spectrum disorders
What Are The Signs My Child Should Visit A Chiropractor?
A parent’s concern is always the first sign that treatment might be required. Young bodies are usually flexible and resilient. Throughout childhood, they take a lot of falls and bumps without much difficulty. Yet, some minor adjustments along the way can help your child grow strong and pain-free.
Here are some of the signs that chiropractic care might be an effective treatment option:
- Complaints of continual or recurring neck or back pain,
- Limited head or neck mobility,
- Uneven shoulders,
- Compensating when they stand or walk, or
- Irregular sleep patterns.
What Does Pediatric Chiropractic Care Include?
Chiropractic treatment is always adapted to fit the patient, especially when applied to kids. First, the chiropractor will meet the patient and get a full understanding of his/her medical history from the parents. Then, a physical examination will help identify any spinal problems or other underlying health issues.
Adjustments for newborns and children are different, using significantly less force. If any gentle adjustments are needed, the chiropractor will use fingertip pressure to make corrections.
When adjusting the spinal joints, you may hear some soft popping noises, but not always.
Surgical & Other Procedures
Procedures used to treat back pain may include:
- Cortisone injections.
- Radiofrequency ablation.
- Implanted nerve stimulators.
- Surgery.
Risk Factors
There are no specific risks associated with chiropractic adjustments for children. Though safety is a common concern regarding pediatric chiropractic care, there is no evidence that it harms young patients. A study published by the ICPA found that a small percentage of kids experience some discomfort during chiropractic adjustments, but otherwise, there were no adverse reactions reported.
What Happens During A Pediatric Adjustment?
An examination of your baby or child will begin by checking all joints and range of motion. Sometimes the baby will lie on an infant pillow that surrounds the baby but allows the doctor to easily palpate. This includes the spine and hips, ankles, shoulders, elbows, and wrists.
Next, any reduction in joint play as well as any muscular imbalance will be noted and discussed with you, the parent, and ways to monitor and prevent the imbalance from occurring again.
Lastly, if necessary an adjustment will be performed to correct any subluxation and finish up with cranial sacral work. At times the doctor will hold the baby or use the infant pillow and if it is beneficial, the doctor may have you hold your baby during the Adjustment.
Pediatric Adjustments are applied in a few different ways depending on the child. This can include an adjustment applied along the soft palate (mouth) to improve cranial bone movement and help with latching while breastfeeding.
As a result, nursing and suction improve due to the ability to open their mouth wider and more comfortably. Other Pediatric techniques utilize an instrument to Adjust called an Activator. It is gentle and effective and Kids truly like it!
Frequently Ask Questions
Do chiropractors treat children?
There is no standard length of time PT usually takes. Depending on a person’s injury or health condition, they may require sessions one or more times per week for several weeks or months in addition to an at-home exercise program.
At what age can a kid get chiropractic care?
That’s up to you! Parents know their kids best and can decide when it might be helpful to see a chiropractor. If you have concerns about your child being too young, schedule a consultation first.
What conditions & childhood issues can a chiropractor treat?
There is a wide range of medical conditions and problems affecting kids of all ages that a chiropractor can help address.
INFANTS
It can be used to treat babies with breastfeeding problems, reflux, colic, and issues with crawling, standing, or other movements.
CHILDREN & ADOLESCENTS
Older patients can get relief from headaches, scoliosis, spinal misalignment, asthma, growing pains, constipation, urinary incontinence, and digestive issues. Improvement can be seen for chronic problems, such as ear infections, colds, flu, sore throat, and immune system response issues. It has also been beneficial for young people who have been in an accident, experienced trauma, or sports injuries. Plus, families are increasingly seeking out chiropractors to help young patients with delayed speech, autism, and ADHD.
Is chiropractic care effective for kids?
Yes, we often see patients who have recovered from temporary issues or are successfully managing the symptoms of long-term conditions. Many parents notice significant improvements in their child’s health following chiropractic adjustments.
What happens after physical therapy is done?
After you complete your therapy sessions, your physical therapist will give you additional instructions for using what you’ve learned in your regular life. This may include stretches and exercises to do every day, or rules for easing back in to regular activity.
What are the benefits of chiropractic care for children?
Chiropractic care can provide many positive effects for kids. Even if your child does not have a particular diagnosed condition, visiting a skilled chiropractor is part of a healthy lifestyle that promotes regular development and well-being. Benefits include, but aren’t limited to:
- Proper nervous system function,
- The stronger immune system,
- Effective recovery from an injury,
- Better athletic performance,
- More mobility in the joints or spine,
- Increased ability to concentrate,
- Improved sleep quality,
- Correcting or preventing poor posture, and
- Decreased neck and back pain;
- Relief from headaches.
Chiropractic adjustments for young patients focus mainly on increasing the function of the nervous system. This network in the human body is crucial to brain and nerve development, behavior, the immune system, and so much more.
Does it hurt?
Kids usually don’t feel any discomfort during treatment sessions. Chiropractic care for children is usually painless unless it’s used to treat an injury. Any sensitivity that may be experienced should dissipate shortly after the adjustment. Many of our little patients actually enjoy the process and refer to the pops as “popcorn” getting out of their backs, and are happy to come back for follow-up visits.
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