Chiropractic Care for Children
The birth process, even under natural and controlled conditions, is potentially traumatic. During the pushing stage of labor, the spine, particularly the neck, may be injured as the baby is compressed and pushed down the birth canal. As the baby is compressed, the small bones of the spine may be pushed out of natural alignment. This causes the nerves to become stretched or twisted, and the vital communication system is disrupted.
These spinal mis-alignments and neurological disturbances (called subluxations) may result in the decreased function of one or more parts of the body, as well as depressed health in general. Subluxations can also foster the onset of sickness and disease as the body weakens.
The effects can be seen as early as the first few days or weeks of life; they can also be seen later in the child’s development or remain quiet for years.
The chiropractor is the health professional who is best-trained to do a spinal assessment of your newborn and young child. Early diagnosis and timely correction of spinal subluxation optimizes the development of your child’s neuromusculoskeletal system. Furthermore, the pediatric chiropractic exam assesses the alignment of cranial bones, with a view to proper brain development.
There are some signs parents may look for which can be an indicator of a child with spinal problem. Common signs of spinal problems may include:
- The baby’s head consistently being tilted to one side
- Restricted head or neck motion to one side
- Disturbed sleeping patterns, where an infant sleep for only an hour or two at a time
- Difficulty nursing at the breast, on one particular side
- Infant inconsolable for no apparent reason
Common childhood disorders can also sometimes indicate a spinal problem. Some of the more common problems for which parents bring their children to the chiropractor include:
- Persistant earaches
- Recurrent infections (colds, sinusitis, otitis, bronchitis, flu, allergies)
- Colic
- Headaches
- Bed-wetting
- Growing pains
- Chronic asthma
- Learning disorders
- Hyperactivity
- Scoliosis (curvature of the spine)
