It is natural for parents to have questions about taking their children to a new health care provider. A chiropractor is no exception. There are a lot of conflicting opinions about the benefits of chiropractic care, especially for kids. As such, it can be tough for parents to make educated decisions about pursuing chiropractic care for a child. The following details the most frequently asked questions about chiropractic care for kids.
Is chiropractic care safe for children?
The short answer to this question is yes. There have been multiple large scale research studies that have confirmed that chiropractic care is both safe and healthy for kids. Chiropractors have been working with children for more than 100 years. Over this time period, they have learned how to administer just the right amount of pressure for a given child. This means that an infant will not receive the same treatment as a 10 year old. Look for a chiropractor who has taken courses in caring for children and caters to their needs in a compassionate manner.
Why do children require chiropractic care?
Many parents are skeptical about why a young child would need chiropractic care. What sort of issue or trauma would necessitate this sort of ongoing health care? Spinal cord problems can come about as early as infancy. Any substantial, unsupported neck or head movement can bring on excessive spinal movement, such as a fender bender or falling off the bed. Chiropractic care can also aid a wide range of common infancy and childhood conditions from scoliosis, plagiocephaly, ear infections, or sports injuries. It's important to keep in mind that while chiropractic care does not necessarily treat or cure a condition or issue, it can greatly alleviate the symptoms.
When should a child first visit the chiropractor?
Chiropractic care offers benefits for children at every stage of development. Kids can start having chiropractic adjustments as young as infancy. It is not uncommon for parents to make an initial appointment within weeks of a baby's birth. The birthing process can be strenuous for a mother and her new baby, leaving both of them in need of chiropractic care. Other children don't have a need to see the chiropractor until later in life.
How often should children visit the chiropractor?
It is best practice to schedule regular chiropractic appointments so that you can stay ahead of potential issues, just as you do with the pediatrician and dentist. It's much easier for a chiropractor to address a minor problem than to correct a major issue that has been growing for years. If possible, schedule the initial appointment during your child's first month of life. Then make appointments every three months during the first year of life and every six to 12 months for each subsequent year.
How can parents recognize spinal problems in their children?
In addition to the regularly scheduled appointments, there are other instances that may require chiropractic care. Common symptoms of spinal problems include limping, restricting neck or head motion to one side, tilting the head to one side far more than the other side, difficulty sleeping for more than an hour or two at a stretch, and difficulties with breastfeeding, such as favoring one side. There are also a number of common childhood disorders that may point to a spinal problem. They include, but are not limited to: persistent bed wetting, earaches, colic, growing pains, headaches, and sore throats.
What is involved in a childhood chiropractic treatment?
A chiropractor will start by conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the spine, which may include an EMG scan. Once the chiropractor has determined the issue or issues at hand, he will use very light adjustment techniques, exerting no more than two pounds of pressure. Sometimes the spinal joints make a “popping” sound when they are moved, although they don't have to make any noise for the adjustment to be successful.
If you're ever in doubt about whether or not a specific chiropractor will be a good fit for your child, seek out references from family and friends. You may also want to meet with a chiropractor ahead of time before scheduling an appointment for your child.
