Pediatrics

Regular Chiropractic Care Benefits For Kids:

1. Children’s bodies go through massive growth spurts. Getting full body alignment checks and adjustments at least quarterly can ensure that your child is growing in the most optimal way.
2. Micro injuries in the joints and surrounding soft tissue structures can occur. We have all seen a child take a tumble now and then, but even things like poor running form or jumping on a trampoline can cause small, recurring injuries in the body. This can cause minor aches and pains in the moment, but it can also cause joint dysfunction and even alter their growth pattern long term, if not treated in childhood. Kids bodies’ adapt to stress relatively well, so getting healthy movement patterns when they are young will set them up for success as they grow into adults.
3. When major injuries happen, you know where to go. You have already established a relationship with a doctor while your child is healthy, therefore the doctor will better understand how the body has changed after an injury. Plus, with already healthy joints, the recovery process will go more smoothly and take less time.
4. Developmental conditions can be assessed for. Scoliosis affects 2-3% of the population and takes effect on average between 10 and 15 years of age. Getting regular scoliosis checks can help determine if the child is affected. We can then start treating it. The earlier scoliosis is diagnosed, the more permanent treatment can be because a child’s spine is so malleable. Once growth plates are closed, there is little we can do to reverse a spinal curvature.

Treatment frequency for children

We recommend a minimum of four chiropractic visits per year for every child. However, treatment plans are tailored to each child’s lifestyle. Competitive athletes may need more frequent visits compared to moderately active children. Care plans are very individualized based on the wants and needs of the child and their parents. At Just For the Health of It, there are three different general treatment plan recommendations based on activity level and lifestyle of the child.

How do chiropractors adjust kids?

Adjusting techniques vary by age and developmental conditions. For infants and young children, we use a gentle activator device. The activator is a small device that the doctor places on the joint and “clicks”. This delivers a low impact adjustment that is suitable for the small bones and joints in an infant or young child’s body. For older children, we use mobilizations and drop table adjustments for comfortable and effective treatment. These are very low impact manual adjustments where the doctor “bounces” on the joint to get it to move over the course of
many repetitions.

Chiropractic care is a crucial, yet often overlooked, aspect of pediatric healthcare. There are so many conditions and symptoms that chiropractors see everyday in adults that could have been prevented if the patient had sought out chiropractic care in childhood. Having your child receive regular
chiropractic treatment sets them up for success long term. Prevention is the key to health; not only is it more cost effective, but it is also more fun to prevent an injury than treat and heal from one. Every parent wants their child to grow up happy and healthy. Chiropractic is another important piece to that puzzle. And don’t forget, GETTING HEALTHY IS FUN!