When Should Your Child See a Chiropractor?
When Should Your Child See a Chiropractor?
Updated on August 15th, 2019 by Dr. Ryan Meehan
It’s back to school time, so a lot of us are thinking about our kids. We want to give children every advantage possible to do well in the classroom and stay healthy throughout the school year. Especially at this time of year, parents worry about heavy backpacks, long hours of sitting and studying, sports activities, and more. Chiropractic care may be beneficial to helping your child feel good and do well this school year.
Most parents considering chiropractic care for their child have a lot of questions. We wanted to provide helpful responses to some of your most common concerns. Find out when your child should see a chiropractor, what benefits it can provide, and what treatment includes.
Do Chiropractors Treat Children?
Yes, regularly. Today, nearly 35 million adults in the United States rely on chiropractic adjustments as part of their health care and wellness regime. It’s an effective way to manage pain and treat a wide variety of conditions. But the benefits are not just reserved for those over 18 years of age. According the Journal of the American Medical Association, on average, 11% of chiropractic patients are children and adolescents.
At What Age Can a Kid Get Chiropractic Care?
That’s up to you! Parents know their kid best and can decide when it might be helpful to see a chiropractor. According to All American Healthcare, treatment is safe and can be effective even for infants. If you have concerns about your child being too young, schedule a consultation first.
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.
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 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
The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association explains that it can be used to treat babies with breastfeeding problems, reflux, colic, 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 infection, cold, flu, and sore throat, and immune system response issues. It has also been beneficial for young people who have been in an accident, experienced a trauma, or sports injuries. Plus, families are increasingly seeking out chiropractors to help young patients with delayed speech, autism and ADHD.
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 which promotes regular development and wellbeing. Benefits include, but aren’t limited to:
- Proper nervous system function,
- 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.
Is Chiropractic Care Effective on 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.
Are there Risks Involved for Kids?
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.
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 refers to the pops as “popcorn” getting out of their backs, and are happy to come back for follow-up visits.
Trusted Chiropractic Care for the Whole Family
We want your kids to be as healthy and active as possible. At Cuyahoga Falls Chiropractic Clinic, we are happy to treat children of all ages. Call our office today, or fill out our online form, to schedule a no-obligation consultation.