By Jeanne Ohm, D.C.
More and more parents are seeking chiropractic care for their children. Many
spinal problems seen in adults began as early as birth. Even so called 'natural'
birthing methods can stress an infant's spine and developing nerve system. The
resulting irritation to the nerve system caused by spinal and cranial misalignment
can be the cause of many newborn health complaints. Colic, breathing problems,
nursing difficulties, sleep disturbances, allergic reactions, and chronic infections
can often be traced to nerve system stress.
Since significant spinal trauma can occur at birth, many parents have their
newborns checked right away. As the infant grows, learning to hold up the head,
sit, crawl and walk are all activities that affect spinal alignment and are important
times to have a child checked by a Doctor of Chiropractic.
As the child begins to participate in regular childhood activities like skating
or riding a bike, small yet significant spinal misalignments (subluxations) may
occur. If neglected, the injuries during this period of rapid growth may lead
to more serious problems later in life. Subtle trauma throughout childhood will
affect the future development of the spine leading to impaired nervous system
function. Any interference to the vital nerve system will adversely affect the
body’s ability to function at its best.
One of the most common reason parents seeks care for their child is trauma
from an injury of some sort. These misalignments may or may not result in immediate
pain or symptoms. Regular chiropractic checkups can identify potential spinal
injury from these traumas, make the correction early in life, and help avoid
many of the health complaints seen later in adults. Proper spinal hygiene is
an important key to better health.
Another sought out reason for care is the resolution of a particular symptom
or condition. Parents seek care for conditions such as colic, ear infections,
asthma, allergies, and headaches (to name a few) because they have heard from
other parents that chiropractic care can help.
It is important to understand that the doctor of chiropractic does not treat
conditions or diseases. The expertise of the chiropractor is in checking the
child’s spine for misalignments that impair nervous system function therefore
affecting overall body function. The bones of the spine, the vertebrae, house
and protect the spinal cord. The spinal cord is an extension of the brain and
carries information from the brain to the body parts and back to the brain again.
Subluxations interfere with the nerves’ ability to transmit this vital
information.
The nerve system controls and coordinates the function of all the systems
in the body: circulatory, respiratory, digestive, hormonal, eliminative, and
immune system. Any aspect of health may be impaired by nerve interference. The
chiropractic adjustment restores nerve system function allowing the body the
ability to express a greater state of health and well-being.
The doctor of chiropractic will take a case history and perform a chiropractic
exam to determine if spinal subluxations exist. Chiropractic adjusting procedures
are modified to fit a child's size, weight, and unique spinal condition. They
are both gentle and specific to the child’s developing spinal structures.
Most parents report that their children enjoy their chiropractic adjustments
and look forward to subsequent visits. They also report that their children experience
a greater level of health while under regular chiropractic care.
To enhance your child’s ability to function in a greater state of health,
we can help you find a doctor of chiropractic near you who is dedicated to serving
children with the utmost of care. Once your family has experienced the many benefits
of chiropractic care—please helps us tell others!
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