One of the most helpless feelings in the world is seeing your child suffer and not knowing how to help them. When that child is not yet verbal, the alarm bells in your head really start going off. For many families, their chiropractor functions as their primary care provider. Taking your child to the chiropractor when they’re sick or in pain is no different than mom or dad visiting the chiropractor for what ails them. It may, in fact, be even more beneficial for kids. It might not be obvious why kids need chiropractors, but this little bit of history may shed some light.
Near the turn of the last century, healer Daniel David Palmer considered the Founder of chiropractic, became convinced that diseases are due to subluxations or the malfunctioning of joints of the vertebrae -which then interrupt nervous impulses. He believed that by correcting these subluxations, the body could heal itself. This became the basis for the modern approach to chiropractic. In a 2009 survey conducted by chiropractors and the parents of pediatric patients who visited those chiropractors, both reported significant improvement with respect to the reasons they stated for seeking chiropractic treatment.¹ Additional benefits, unrelated to the children’s initial complaint, were also reported.¹
Pediatric Chiropractic Benefits
There is good reason to support children’s chiropractic care. Below are some of the ways chiropractic can support your child’s health.
1. Supports Brain Development:
Pediatric chiropractors undergo specialized training when working with the growing and developing bodies of young children, ensuring appropriate care and concern for children of all ages. The regular correction of joint dysfunction in a child, as put forth by D.D. Palmer has been found to contribute to furthering a child’s brain development. This is achieved by reducing pressure on the bones and joints as well as the spine, enabling nutrient-rich blood to reach and support brain cells. Furthermore, releasing stress on the joints and muscles helps the spine and brain stem to interact more efficiently, encouraging a better functioning nervous system that leads to optimal health.
2. Addresses Child Behavior:
Children, particularly those in their early stages of development, often face challenges in effectively expressing their emotions. When a child displays inappropriate behaviors like aggression or excessive sensitivity, consulting a chiropractor can offer assistance. By evaluating the child’s overall well-being, including factors like diet, hydration, and lifestyle, and assessing their nervous system, the chiropractor can help identify the underlying cause of the issue.
Many healthcare professionals believe emotional trauma to be more common than physical trauma. Emotional trauma can be stored in the tissues of the body. A child chiropractor can help release these emotions using adjustments that can help the spine release tension held in the muscles. Pediatric chiropractic can be a very specific niche.
3. Can Help with Digestive Issues:
Has your pediatrician suggested your baby has colic? A visit to the chiropractor, soon after learning of this, can help. Mild chiropractic manipulation can stimulate nerve flow to the baby’s small intestines which can increase peristalsis, the wave-like motion that moves food and waste products through the digestive tract, helping push through trapped gas and/or liquid.
Constipation or diarrhea can be signs that your baby could benefit from an adjustment. But what about reflux or vomiting? Can chiropractic help with baby reflux? Turns out that it can. When working with babies and young children, chiropractic treatments emphasize gentle movements and subtle adjustments that are more like stretching or massage than forceful adjustments. As with colic and gas, this gentle approach helps to regulate the gastrointestinal tract.
4. Helps Kids Get Better Sleep:
“But I’m not tired,” is a common refrain from young children at bedtime, making it a challenging task for parents to get them to sleep. In such situations, can chiropractic care be beneficial for improving your child’s sleep? The answer is yes, both older children and infants can reap the benefits of chiropractic when it comes to sleep. Misaligned vertebrae can lead to discomfort or disruption in the nervous system, which can impact sleep patterns. By adjusting the spine, these issues can be alleviated, offering a valuable solution for promoting better sleep quality. As a result, not only do children benefit, but parents also gain the advantage of more restful nights.
5. Chiropractic for Back Pain:
When is it appropriate for a child to see a chiropractor for back pain? If you have a teenager who participates in after-school sports, there is a possibility of overexertion in the gym or on the field without proper guidance. While high school coaches excel in teaching sports skills, they may not be as proficient in instructing calisthenics/conditioning techniques that minimize strain on the body. Over time, incorrect form or repetitive motion with poor technique can result in back pain.
For younger children, incidents like falls on the playground or other accidents can also lead to back pain, even in the little ones. Additionally, back pain in children can stem from causes such as constipation, scoliosis, or stress fractures in the vertebrae known as spondylolysis. A pediatric chiropractor can ensure that your child’s spine is correctly aligned and provide treatment for various conditions that may require specific care plans.
Max Kids Multivitamin
When it comes to many of the conditions that require chiropractic care for your child, it’s worth noting that spinal misalignments and the associated nerve dysfunction, can often be related to an imbalance in the body due to nutrient deficiencies and/or an unhealthy diet. Giving your child a multivitamin is simply a good insurance policy to ensure they are getting all the nutritional support their growing body needs. In today’s toxic world, air, water, and soil are sadly polluted. Even the most diligent parents can unknowingly provide meals that lack the proper nutrients. Chewable Max Kids Multivitamin, by MaxLiving Chiropractic, provides a complete multivitamin containing bioavailable vitamins, minerals, citrus bioflavonoids, and fermented superfoods -all the nutrients your child needs.
How often should a child see a chiropractor? Well, the truth is, chiropractic care should be an ongoing part of everyone’s life. The spine requires regular attention to address subluxations and ensure its proper function. For newborn babies, it is recommended to have them adjusted soon after birth to promote alignment following the birthing process. While most children may only require occasional check-ups, it is important for families to establish a care plan that includes regular visits to the chiropractor. By prioritizing these visits, children and their families can actively maintain vitality and support optimal health.
About the Author
Jini Cicero is a Los Angeles-based Strength and Conditioning Specialist with a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. With over 20 years of experience as a health, fitness, and nutraceutical professional, Jini is passionate about advancing natural medicine and optimal health. Whether she’s working with Hollywood celebrities or cancer patients, Jini uniquely combines exercise science, sports nutrition, and corrective exercise. As a speaker, presenter, and writer, her work has been featured in numerous publications, such as Shape, MindBodyGreen, and The L.A. Daily News.
References:
¹Joel Alcantara, Jeanne Ohm, Derek Kunz, The safety and effectiveness of pediatric chiropractic: a survey of chiropractors and parents in a practice-based research network. Explore (NY.) 2009 Sep-Oct;5(5):290-5. doi: 10.1016/j.explore.2009.06.002.
