Are Chiropractors Safe for Kids?
Chiropractic care, at its core, uses physical solutions to treat physical problems and is based on the belief that the human body is self-sustaining and self-healing. By helping the body back into its natural state, we can achieve the best health.
Using chiropractic treatments in a pediatric setting can help correct bad habits before they cause damage, holistically treat congenital conditions, and improve overall child health.
Pediatric chiropractic care has been shown to significantly help in the treatment of:
- Breast Feeding Issues
- Colic
- Digestive Issues
- Pain
- Allergies
- Irritability
As kids age and grow, they can become more active in sports or find themselves seated for more extended periods of time at school. Both circumstances, just like for adults, can benefit from chiropractic adjustments.
Safe Tailored Techniques
Let’s get back to that core question about safety. Studies show that chiropractic therapy is overwhelmingly safe for children and even infants. As with adults, the key is to have adjustments made by a licensed chiropractor who is familiar with the differences found in childhood physiology and anatomy.
Throughout every stage of life, our bodies change, chiropractors understand this, and just like adult therapies are tailored for the patient, every child’s treatment plan is developed for the patient and updated regularly as they age. For younger kids whose joints and bones have not fully hardened, only the lightest of pressure is used (only around 2 pounds of force).
Adults shouldn’t fear the chiropractor, and neither should kids. But that doesn't mean the process might not be unsettling at first due to the possibility of popping noises and the quick movement used for adjustments. Be prepared to help calm younger kids for the first few sessions, especially if they already don’t like going into a medical office.
There Is No Age Requirement
With techniques tailored to the physicality of every patient, chiropractic treatments are suitable for any age. From infants and toddlers to highschoolers, adults, the elderly, and pregnant women, all can benefit greatly. The benefits of chiropractic therapy extend beyond treating alignment or posture issues and keeping kids moving.
Therapy can help boost nervous and immune system health. When your spine is misaligned, it can impinge on the nervous system in your body. Studies have shown that the nervous system has an effect on the functionality of your immune system by signaling when glands should increase production and blood vessels dilate, among others.
When your nervous system is under stress and not functioning properly, your immune system cannot work at an optimal level.
Going to the chiropractor doesn’t mean there is something wrong with your child. It is an investment in their current and future health. A healthy nervous system will help the body heal faster from the inevitable bumps and scrapes of childhood and set a kid up for lifelong health and wellness.
Setting Up an Appointment
You can find chiropractor offices in most towns and cities and will often have a few options for care available to you, even if you do not reside in an urban location. Check that they are appropriately credentialed and licensed to practice. Just like regular medical doctors and therapists, if you find that you aren’t comfortable with one, keep looking.
Personality matters as much as licensure, especially when it comes to the treatment of kids. You will want a chiropractor you and your child are comfortable around.
Before any appointment, hydrate well with water and take a short walk or light exercise to get the body engaged in moving. Getting in some movement and being hydrated helps get joints in a state to move and will make any adjustment easier. Your chiropractor will give a set of pre-appointment recommendations based on your child's medical history.
Make sure to come with filled forms and be prepared to discuss your child’s medical history and the symptoms that you want to address. Chiropractors take a holistic approach, but it is still vital for them to know of any chronic medical conditions, medications, and family history.
After discussing the medical history and why you are seeking treatment, the chiropractor will perform a physical exam. Finally, once diagnosed, you will discuss treatment options.
Prepare for Mild Side Effects
For many kids, it is normal to be nervous during their first visit. This extra tension and unfamiliarity with the therapy can leave you a bit out of sorts. If you notice any of the following symptoms, know that they are completely normal and temporary.
- Light nausea, especially from treatments around the neck
- Mild headache
- Dizziness or brain fog
These symptoms sound a bit like the flu, don’t they? Only about 20% of patients report any, but they are entirely normal.
Adjustment therapy can cause the release of toxic build-ups in joints and muscles, and as the body flushes them out, your kid might feel a little under the weather. Most side effects pass within a day and can be helped with proper hydration and a quick nap.
Monitto Chiropractic
It is understandable to be hesitant about things you haven’t experienced before, especially regarding your health and well-being. But chiropractic care is nothing to fear. With over 40 years of experience providing quality and professional care to patients of all ages, Monitto Chiropractic is the trusted source for chiropractic therapy in Asheville, NC.
If you are looking for a pediatric chiropractic care provider, feel free to contact us via phone or online to set up an appointment today. We're always happy to hear from you!