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Is Chiropractic Care Safe For Children?

Posted by Florida Spine and Injury | Dec 20, 2019 9:15:00 AM

Chiropractic Care for Kids: Is it Safe?

Although there are still some that doubt its effectiveness and legitimacy, chiropractic care has been widely accepted as a primary form of health care.

Chiropractors attend eight years of higher education to be able to practice chiropractic, which is similar to the amount of schooling your general practitioner needs.

Your chiropractor can even act as your general practitioner because they are trained to treat the entire person, not just symptoms.

If you have a condition or illness that your chiropractor can't treat, they can refer you to the proper health professional.

Chiropractic care is famous for treating and preventing back injuries.

Of the nearly 22 million people who see a chiropractor each year, 35% visit for back pain relief.

Chiropractic care can also treat and prevent the following, among others:

  • Headaches
  • Accident injuries
  • Neck pain
  • Herniated discs
  • Sciatica
  • Sports injuries

However, one topic that is still highly debated is whether or not chiropractic care is safe for children.

If you've been thinking of taking your child to the chiropractor because of back pain, headaches, a sports injury, or for another reason, you've come to the right place.

Below, we'll discuss whether or not chiropractic care is safe for children, what it can treat, and when it's best to visit the chiropractor.

Childhood can be a physically traumatic time

Benefits Of Chiropractic Care For Children

Childhood can be a physically traumatic time.

As kids learn to crawl, walk, and then run, they spend just as much time on the ground as they do on their feet.

The tumbles continue when they start playing sports and engaging in other physical activities.

Most of the time, kids bounce right back up and don't seem to experience much pain, if any at all.

While kids are known to be resilient, frequent falls can cause shifts in their musculoskeletal system that set the stage for subluxations, a slight misalignment of the vertebrae.

The misalignments can press on spinal nerves and interfere with the efficient function of the child's nervous system, preventing their body from performing at an optimal level.

When a child visits a chiropractor, the doctor can correct the misalignments, improving the child's overall wellness, and help to prevent future problems. 

 

safety of chiropractic care for children

Pediatric Chiropractic Care

Your chiropractor won't treat your child the same way that they would treat you, and for a good reason.

Your child isn't just a tiny adult.

Kid's bodies grow and develop at astounding rates, so they need to be cared for differently than an adult body.

Because kid's bodies are growing and developing, chiropractic care can be uniquely effective for them.

It also means the chiropractor has to approach care differently, paying more attention to bedside manner, and developing patience for wiggling.

Since children's joints are still forming, the American Chiropractic Association recommends that adjustments to children should be delivered quickly and with less force.

Pediatric Chiropractic Adjustments require changes in depth, contacts, and techniques to ensure it is done properly.

Because of this, the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) offers specialized training programs for chiropractors wishing to provide pediatric chiropractic services.

kids safety at the chiropractor

Does Chiropractic Care Place My Child at Risk?

Okay, the question we've all been waiting for.

Chiropractic care, in general, is noninvasive and drug-free.

It's considered safer than many other forms of health care, like prescription medications and surgery, because of its holistic approach.

If you are a parent that worries about potential side effects, and the dangers of antibiotic overuse, and the abuse of pain killers, chiropractic care is understandably appealing.

However, there is a certain level of risk that exists in any form of healthcare.

So, is chiropractic care safe for children?

According to "The Safety of Chiropractic for Children: A Researcher's Perspective," the answer is yes.

After a review of available research, it became clear that chiropractic care is safe for children when a properly trained chiropractors applies it. 

benefits of chiropractic care for kids

Conditions Chiropractic Care Can Treat in Kids

Just like with adults, regular chiropractic care can prevent many conditions.

Apart from treating injuries, wellness visits allow a chiropractor to identify and address problematic subluxations quickly, improving the child's overall health.

Adjustments will also help support and bolster their immune system.

The benefits of chiropractic care for children extend to the treatment of many conditions, including but not limited to:

  • Allergies
  • Colic
  • Asthma
  • Sleep issues
  • Sports injuries
  • Ear infections
  • Digestive problems
  • Headaches
  • Concentration and focus issues
  • Irritable baby syndrome
  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
  • Asperger’s syndrome, autism, and autism spectrum disorders

Pediatric chiropractic care has shown to improve sleep

What Kids Can Expect After Chiropractic Care 

After receiving chiropractic treatment, children are likely to display several import benefits right away.

Parents of children who receive chiropractic care often report the following: 

  • Better Sleep: Sleeping may be difficult for some children due to tension, discomfort, and dysfunction.

    By alleviating these issues, chiropractic care can improve children's sleep and allow them to get the rest they need. This will also contribute to the overall well-being of the child.

  • Attitude Improvements: This benefit is probably appealing to many parents. If you've ever dealt with a child that isn't sleeping properly, you know getting proper rest can improve a child's outlook and overall behavior.

    Reducing problems in the neurological system by treating subluxations can foster better attitudes and improved behavior.

  • Improved Immune System Function: Just like their growing joints and bodies, a child's immune system is also immature. If a child has a subluxation that's impairing neurological function, it can interfere with the functioning of the immune system.

    Correcting the misalignments with pediatric chiropractic care supports the child's immune system and encourages it to function effectively.

Chiropractic Treatment for Kids

When To Start Chiropractic Care For Your Children

As adults, we're used to hearing the phrase, "it's never too late to start!"

When it comes to children and chiropractic care, the opposite is true; it's never too early to start.

The ICPA even encourages parents to take their children to the chiropractor as soon as possible.

It is believed that many common challenges faced by infants such as colic, ear infections, and breastfeeding difficulties might be due to misalignments from the birthing process.

The argument has also been made that children can benefit from prenatal chiropractic care.

A chiropractic technique known as the Webster technique is often used to correct misalignments in the pelvic area, reducing pain and improving neurological function.

Expectant mothers treated with this technique report less pain and reduce the likelihood of breech birth, and increase their odds of easier childbirth.

As easy as it can be, at least.

A birth that is safe and easy on the mother is likely to give the child a better start in life. 

chiropractic care for youth

Make your Child's Chiropractic Appointment Today

Not only has chiropractic care been proven safe for children, but it's also been shown to have several benefits.

Whether your child experiences headaches, back pain, suffered a sports injury, or you simply want to increase their overall well-being, chiropractic care works.

If you've been hesitant to make the appointment, try out Florida Spine & Injury.

Choose a chiropractor that has experience with pediatric chiropractic care, and discuss any concerns you have beforehand.

The right chiropractor will ease your worries and do a great job treating your child.

Free Chiropractic Consultation

 

If you enjoyed this article, try giving this one a read:

Original article here

Topics: chiropractic care

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