Should children have chiropractic care – And is it safe?

Chiropractic has become a family affair! More and more parents have learned that chiropractic care cannot just benefit them as adults, but can benefit their children. Many spinal problems can begin even during birth and many parents have their children get adjusted as a newborn. As the newborn turns into an infant and then a toddler, they learn to hold their head up, crawl, and walk- all things that affect the alignment of the spine. These milestones are also significant times in their chiropractic timeline for optimal health.


As a child grows, they encounter more things in life that can affect their spinal health. These activities include everyday activities- riding a bike, ice skating, running, and most sports. If any injuries occur during this time and are left neglected, it can affect them later in life. Since the spine is still developing, as well as the rest of the body, it is important to keep it aligned and healthy.


The most common reason a parent will seek out chiropractic care for their child is due to a trauma that was caused by an injury. However, small traumas like this may not cause pain or symptoms right away. If a child is under regular chiropractic care, the doctor will be able to identify potential injuries in the spine and treat it then, avoiding a complication that may arise later in life.  Other reasons parents seek chiropractic care are conditions such as ear infections, asthma, allergies, or colic.


One important thing to note is that chiropractors do not treat conditions, but that they check the spine for misalignments that impair the function of the nervous system. The vertebrae, which are the bones of the spine, are the home as well as the protection of the spinal cord. The spinal cord carries information from the brain all throughout the body, and if the spine is not aligned properly there can be an interference with the important messages that the brain is trying to send.  The nervous system controls all of the functions of the body systems, including: the hormonal, circulatory, digestive, reproductive, and immune systems. This means that not just the back or the neck will be affected by these misalignments, but the entire body!


The chiropractor will take a history and do a detailed exam on the child to see what subluxations, or misalignments, exist. This is gentle and specific to each child’s development. Many parent’s note that the child enjoys the adjustments and also notes a greater level of health overall.  Once a family has experienced all of the benefits of chiropractic for their children, most are amazed and make sure to spread the word to everyone they know due to the great results.