Chiropractic offers many well recognized benefits to adults. But what about for children? The first stress placed on a child’s spinal column is during the birthing process. One of the most stressful events of our entire lives is when we were born!
It's no surprise then, that 26% of children surveyed at school reported a history of back pain. A child’s spine is frequently subjected to repeated forces in the process of learning to walk, jump, ride a bike and more. It is further stressed in a multitude of childhood mishaps, sports-related injuries, and postural strains. Many adults who come to a chiropractor’s office show evidence of childhood injuries to their spine that are a contributing factor for their pain today. This is why it is important to have your child’s spine checked regularly for any signs of spinal imbalances or misalignments!
Chiropractic has had many positive results in treating some very common childhood affliction. Many adult patients seem surprised when they visit the office and see that children are also coming to the chiropractor for treatments.
Top 10 Reasons Why Kids Visit the Chiropractor (with an emphasis on 3):
1. Earaches
Many infants or toddlers rub or tug at their ears. Subluxations are often found in children who suffer from chronic earaches. An impaired nerve supply can make their middle ear and Eustachian tubes susceptible to fluid buildup or even infection. Chiropractic has proven to help thousands by restoring proper nerve supply. Studies show that children under chiropractic care suffered from fewer ear infections than those whose parents sought medical care alone. Further, many infants exhibit unexplained crying, lack of appetite, or other difficulties. They often show a tendency to prefer breast-feeding from only one side. Chiropractic care has proven to be helpful for infants suffering from colic. As subluxations are reduced, more normal sleep patterns emerge. Many parents notice that other aspects of their child's health improve as well.
2. Neck Pain
3. Checkup
It has been well said, “it is better to grow healthy kids than to fix broken adults.” Childhood has many physical stressors from the traumatic birth process to falling off bikes and jumping out of swings. Today’s child often plays sports at a club level much more intense than previous generations, and if they do not play sports, they especially spend prolonged hours playing on media with poor posture. Spinal alignment is developing in these formative years. When there is a spinal bone or joint out of alignment during this time, kids can develop scoliosis, kyphosis of the cervical spine and many other alignment issues that themselves will cause issues throughout development, but prove disastrous in adulthood. Checkups detect these misalignments, correct them and allow for healthy development.
4. Headaches
5. Upper Respiratory Infection
6. Low Back Pain
7. Allergies
8. Asthma
9. Enuresis (bed-wetting)
Enuresis occurs in a child over five years of age, who has never been able to establish proper bladder control. Enuresis sometimes occurs when children develop control but then lapse back to wetting the bed. Occasionally a pathological reason may be responsible, but usually none are identified. Emptying of the urinary bladder is controlled by muscles supplied by sacral parasympathetic nerves from S2 to S4. Sympathetic control is via the urogenital diaphragm which derives its nerve supply from the L2 spinal nerve. When these spinal segments pinch these nerves, adjustments have an anecdotal history of effectiveness throughout the years. Enuresis is a personal favorite to treat as I have had many positive cases. However, a few have not responded as well. Studies would reflect what we have experienced in practice; bed-wetting is due to several causes, one of which is spine related. Children with a spinal cause respond while those with other causes of bed-wetting do not. When the enuresis patient presents, we suggest a conservative trial of chiropractic care.
10. Thoracic Pain
People often ask, “Is safe to adjust kids?” The answer; absolutely! Because a child’s skeletal system is still developing, there is a great deal of elasticity within the joints. Therefore, gentle pressure is usually all that is needed to adjust and correct a child’s spine. So consider chiropractic care for your child. The few minutes you invest in your child’s spinal checkup may save them needless suffering now and in the future!