Five reasons why chiropractic care is beneficial for children

BY DR. VIKAS PURI

Chiropractic care has an important role in providing care to infants, children and adolescents for neuromusculoskeletal conditions that fall within the scope of chiropractic practice. It includes providing a conservative and natural approach to body mechanics, posture and function.

Children of all ages should see a chiropractor because there are many benefits. Children can also suffer from neck and back pain, headaches and other spinal injuries just like adults – which have all responded well to chiropractic adjustments. Of course, the earlier a problem is treated, the less significant damage it may cause later on in life. Moreover, children continue to grow in their early years; therefore, it is even more crucial to make sure their bones, muscles and nerves stay in good health.

Younger patients also have more flexible spines than adults, which means smaller spinal problems can be treated easily. Children are often put in sports and can be more prone to injury. Furthermore, many teens also experience neck and back pain due to the time spent on computers and other forms of technology, leading to bad postural habits and discomfort. Chiropractic care can help alleviate this discomfort. For babies specifically, many do not know that they can experience spinal misalignments due to birth trauma, which of course can also be treated through gentle chiropractic adjustments and therapy.

Chiropractic care is tailored to the individual and their condition, and children are no exception. Although children’s bodies are obviously smaller than adults, the basic principles of treatment are the same, however the technique is slightly changed to be more suitable for the smaller, and more delicate frames of children. This often includes gentle touch, spinal massage, soft tissue therapy, stretching and posture correction. Many chiropractors receive special training for working with children and younger patients. A common question asked is, “Is it safe?” The risks of a child suffering injury from a spinal adjustment are extremely minimal.

Some signs which can indicate spinal problems include disturbed sleeping patterns (i.e. insomnia), breastfeeding difficulties in the very young, restricted head or neck movement to one side, one shoulder higher than the other, and more.

There are several key benefits to kids being treated by a chiropractor, including:

Improved sleep
Chiropractic care works to release stress in the body, which can improve quality of sleep. Ultimately, sleep is important for children because not only does it help them function throughout the day, but it is also essential for their development and emotional wellbeing.

Immune system support
Chiropractic care also has several benefits for immune system function in children. This can help a child who is suffering from an infection or a cold, as well as improve a child’s digestive system and other related issues. Chiropractic adjustments can help treat stomach problems such as constipation or reflux by way of a natural “side-effect” of the nervous system working more optimally.

Better behavior
If the body is experiencing any form of stress, adjustments can relieve those stresses, which in turn leads to better behavior. This can result in improvements in a child’s mood and attitude by releasing tension or stress. Nonetheless, if a child’s sleep is improved this will also decrease stress and improve daily function.

Nervous system support
The benefits of chiropractic care are endless and extend to the nervous system. Chiropractors make sure the spine is growing in the correct way and not only prevents but also treats certain nervous system issues.

Brain development
Furthermore, chiropractic care can also have great benefits for your child’s neural brain development. Releasing pressure on not only the spine, but also joints and bones does this. In addition, increased brain development also promotes better concentration, improve focus and reduce hyperactivity. This is great for targeting conditions such as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).

Ultimately, chiropractic works by: decreasing stress hormones in the body, improving the brain-body communication, and allowing our own innate intelligence to express itself without the nervous system obstruction caused by an improperly functioning spine. Have your child examined by a chiropractor today and see how his/her health can be improved.