Parents bring their children in for a host of reasons including earaches, ear infections, back and neck pain, digestive disorders, tension headaches, upper respiratory infections, infantile colic, asthma, enuresis (bed wetting), constipation, allergies, autism, ADHD and general overall wellness.
Chiropractic care for children is becoming increasingly common as evidence supporting the safety and effectiveness of pediatric care grows. In fact, chiropractors will see more than 68 million pediatric visits this year alone.
Chiropractors aim to identify and eliminate stress on nerves caused by misalignments in the spine known as subluxations. Subluxations are the result of physical, chemical and emotional stresses on the body and though they are often painless, they can result in serious health disorders.
Physical stress may begin in the womb if the baby is positioned poorly or may be caused by a traumatic birth experience. The twisting and torsion to a baby’s skull, spine and pelvis during birth, for example, can lead to a condition known as Blocked Atlantal Nerve Syndrome, a common cause of upper respiratory infections, ear infections and tonsillitis. In addition, the inevitable tumbles and falls of early childhood while learning to walk, play sports, and ride a bike increase the risk of injury to the spine. While the initial pain of these accidents usually resolves in time, if dysfunction in the spine is left uncorrected it can continue to affect nervous system function and cause major problems as the child grows into adulthood.
Additionally, emotional stressors, such as anxiety and depression, and chemical stressors, such as processed foods and other toxins, are indirect causes of subluxations. These stressors cause irritation to joints and other soft tissues, causing dysfunction in the spine and negatively affecting the function of the nervous system.
Is Chiropractic Safe For Children?
One of the most common concerns we hear from parents is regarding the safety of having their children getting adjusted. Chiropractic is not only one of the safest and most effective forms of pediatric health care, it’s also extremely gentle. As an Elkhorn Pediatric Chiropractor, the adjusting technique we use on an adult is not the same as the technique used on a child or infant. Children’s spines are extremely mobile compared to an adult’s, so only slight, non-thrusting pressure is needed to make an adjustment.
The journal Explore recently published a revealing study investigating both the health benefits and risk of side effects in children who were treated by a pediatric chiropractor. Of the 812 pediatric cases reviewed, 717 reported improvement or resolution of their primary complaint following chiropractic care while only 9 reported aggravations related to treatment. These were described as “soreness” or “fussiness”. In addition, 74 of the cases reported improvement in areas unrelated to their primary complaints such as quality of sleep, mood, immune function, and range of motion.
Will Chiropractic Care Work For My Children?
It’s important to understand that the purpose of chiropractic care is not simply treating sickness or disease; the goal is to help the body function at its optimum level naturally by identifying and removing subluxations that interfere with the body’s nervous system. When the nervous system is allowed to operate without interference, the immune system functions more efficiently, the body has improved resistance to infection and disease, and your child’s body functions better overall.
At The Wellness Pointe of Elkhorn, WI, we believe in taking a proactive approach to health by maintaining an optimal nervous system with chiropractic care instead of waiting for illness or disease to happen. Through regular gentle, non-thrusting chiropractic adjustments in combination with counseling on proper nutrition, exercise and postural habits, we can help your children reach their optimum health potential. To make an appointment today, call us at 262.215.2292 or email us at TWPChiro@gmail.com.
Alcantara J, Ohm J, Kunz D. The safety and effectiveness of pediatric chiropractic. Explore (NY). 2009 Sep-Oct;5(5):290-5.
Gutman G. Blocked Atlantal Nerve Syndrome in Infants and Small Children. ICA Review, 1990; July:37-42.
Read more about us at www.thewellnesspointechiro.com or LIKE US on FaceBook.
Chad Schleiger, D.C.
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