Staff Writer
Did you realize many infants suffer misalignments in the spine they’re born? Even a natural birth can cause trauma to the spine as the baby travels through the birthing canal. While adults know when the pain or discomfort they feel might benefit from chiropractic care, babies cannot tell us if something is wrong or where the pain may be coming from.
As children grow, they will take numerous falls and tumbles – learning how to walk, climb a tree, ride a bike, or during sports. Although many of these tumbles may seem minor, a physical event may still have caused a change in your child’s musculoskeletal system. A series of these micro-traumas left untreated can lead to pain, discomfort, or additional health issues later.
In a study analysis by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, 17% of chiropractic patients are under age 18. While it may seem that children do not need to see a chiropractor at a young age, familiarizing them with preventive chiropractic care early in life will set them up for a lifetime of health and well-being.
The nervous system – comprising the brain, spinal cord, and nerves – is the communication system for the entire body, guiding growth and development. The bones of the spine provide protection of the spinal cord. The nerves exit the spinal cord between each of the bones and connect to every cell, organ, and tissue of the body. A spinal misalignment can put pressure on one of these nerves and interfere with communication between the brain and the body.
In an infant or a developing child, misalignments can result in developmental or growth delays. Doctors of chiropractic are highly trained professionals who can remove the pressure and interference caused by the misalignment and subsequent problems that the misalignment may be causing.
Chiropractic care early in a child’s life can optimize each child’s growth and development potential. Your child may not need to see a doctor of chiropractic as he or she grows, but ensuring the spine is aligned properly is a part of good wellness and preventive care.
Chiropractic care is gentle, safe, and non-invasive. More than 30 years ago, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) began including positive recommendations on manual treatments in its clinical practice guidelines on low-back pain. This federal agency issues guidelines to help the medical community improve the quality of healthcare in the United States.
You’ll also find that chiropractors will modify their techniques for children and infants. To comfort a child unfamiliar with chiropractic treatments, the chiropractor can show the child and parents what will happen by demonstrating techniques on a doll or stuffed animal.
Over the years, chiropractic doctors have received feedback about the benefits of chiropractic from parents. Younger patients typically report significant or unexpected improvements in sleep, behavior, and immune system function.
Other conditions that chiropractors can help address:
Chiropractic care for your child can benefit their growth, help them stay well, and play pain-free.
If your child is involved in sports, chiropractic techniques have been shown to improve coordination and athleticism. Throughout the United States, chiropractors are the team doctors for many sports, from the NFL to Olympic athletes worldwide.
Having a chiropractor to care for your body is a great way to have your child function at their physical peak.
Think of chiropractic as a total body solution in the quest to have a healthier lifestyle over the long term. Everyone, especially children, deserves a body free of blockages and misalignments so the body’s systems can function correctly.
Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC), founded in 1922, is a private, nonprofit, chiropractic and health sciences university in Overland Park, Kansas. The CUKC on-campus Chiropractic Health Center is open to the public and treats patients from Kansas City’s 15-county metro area. Our goal is to provide care and solutions for a better, more productive life for our patients.
