Many of you have experienced the benefits of chiropractic care for illness prevention and optimal health. What about your children? Have you ever considered bringing them in for a chiropractic checkup?
Many parents don’t realize the first stress placed on a child’s spinal column is during the birthing process. After that, there are the numerous trials and errors of childhood that can contribute to spinal trauma. Learning to crawl, walk and ride bikes are all activities where falling is a common occurrence until the activity is mastered. As a child gets older, you have to consider sports related injuries and the postural strains associated with sitting at a school desk, a computer and playing video games. Most of these are mild spinal stresses but the cumulative effects can contribute to numerous childhood complaints.
Many adults that 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 imbalance or misalignment.
Fortunately, chiropractic has had many positive results in treating very common childhood maladies. Problems like colic, headaches, ear infections, scoliosis, asthma—even behavioral problems such as bed-wetting and ADHD have been successfully treated with chiropractic care. Furthermore, research has demonstrated children under chiropractic care suffer from fewer ear infections than those whose parents sought out traditional medical care alone.
Parents that have considered chiropractic care for their children understandably are concerned if chiropractic adjustments safe for children? Absolutely! Chiropractic is safe for patients of all ages. To date, my youngest patient was 5 days old. The major difference between treating a child compared to an adult is the technique used. Light pressure and smaller contact points are usually all that is needed to adjust a child’s spine.
The next time you are scheduled to come to our office, make an appointment for your children. The few minutes you invest in your child’s spinal checkup may save them needless suffering—now and in the future.
Jodi E. Perrin, DC, ND