Chiropractic Care and Children

Chiropractic care has been found to be a safe drug and pain free treatment for children aged 17 and under. Since 1991 the percentage of patients of that age group seeking chiropractic treatment has increased 8.5 percent. Chiropractic care is especially effective when it is complimented by pediatric care. Chiropractors are not supposed to replace the role of the pediatrician, they should be utilized for preventative wellness care and to help maintain the child’s spinal alignment and be checked and treated for vertebral subluxations, which can potentially alter the physiology of a child. Vertebral subluxations occur when one or more vertebrae move out of position and can cause pain and nerve disfunction. In children whose spines are still developing, it is paramount that any vertebral subluxations are corrected. 

Chiropractic care is even safe for newborns. It is estimated that 90 percent of newborns suffer some amount of birth trauma and strain through the neck and cranial areas. If it is left uncorrected, the trauma can impact the spine growth and development of an infant, possibly resulting in health challenges later in life. If spine growth is left uncorrected, it can also have an adverse impact on the nervous system, compromising the brains ability to communicate with the peripheral body correctly. When being treated, newborns experience only minimal pressure during a chiropractic adjustment. Chiropractic treatment can also help Infants who have colic experience relief. 
 
As infants begin to go through the first major milestones of life: holding their head up, sitting up, crawling and walking, it is suggested that they visit a chiropractor. During these stages, the major curves in their spine are developing and it is important that no interference with the nervous system occurs due to a misalignment. Additionally, as the child continues to grow, more stress is placed on the spine. Normal childhood activities such as carrying a backpack, riding a bike, rough play, running and jumping can add cumulative stress to children despite them not showing any symptoms. Parents are often advised that infants should visit a chiropractor every 3 months for the first year of life. It is then suggested that children see a chiropractor 6 to 12 per year to maintain correct alignment. 

Children can experience relief from many ailments using chiropractic treatments. Otitis media, an inflammation in the middle ear and is very common in children, asthma, allergies and common back and neck pain can be effectively treated via chiropractic intervention. Children with more serious conditions such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, ADHD and Tourette syndrome can benefit from chiropractic care. Conditions are mainly treated by the chiropractor detecting and correcting vertebral subluxations.  
Children who are involved in sports can also benefit greatly from chiropractic care as well. As children age, sports tend to get more and more physical, which leads to greater instances of injury. Chiropractors can help to treat and prevent injury through a realignment of the spine. Chiropractors help to improve the bodies natural performance by aiding the body to perform at its peak level. Vertebral subluxations can interfere with the bodies natural ability to heal itself when the subluxations themselves partially block the spinal nerves, preventing the bodies immune system from functioning normally. Even if a child does not feel any symptoms, their bodies may not be functioning at its optimum levels. Regular chiropractic appointments can help to correct and prevent detrimental vertebral subluxations. 


References:
American Chiropractic Association: https://www.acatoday.org/press_css.cfm?CID=3247
Cole Bradburn: http://colebradburn.com/2013/04/08/chiropractic-for-newborns/
Cooper Chiropractic: https://www.cooper-chiro.com/benefits-child-chiropractic-care/
Science Based Medicine: https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/pediatric-chiropractic-care-scientifically-indefensible/
Total Balance Chiropractic: http://www.totalbalancechiro.com/NPN-Winter09_tbarticle.pdf 

Tim Bryan
St. Lawrence University 15'
Mirror Lake Chiropractic Intern