Caring for Children.

When we discuss care for children with our patients, it's not unusual for them to respond "Why would my child need chiropractic care?  They don't have back pain!"  Although back pain is typically what brings an adult into the office, it is not the primary treatment issue that a chiropractor looks at.  Chiropractors detect and correct vertebral spinal subluxation complexes (see "What is Chiropractic") and are not back- pain doctors, rather, they are interested in the neurology and biomechanical workings of the spine.  That being said, children have a spine and a developing nervous system.  The leaps and strides children make in their first 20 years of life are truly amazing and it goes without saying, they should have every advantage to having the best functioning body that they can, and that's where chiropractic comes into play.  There are different stages of infant development that may require a visit to the chiropractor.

 From the very beginning, a young infant's nervous system and spine are put to the test.  A "normal" vaginal birth can inflict a certain degree of trauma during the birth process.  The length of the birth and condition of the mother can both play a role as to how much stress is placed on the infant's spine during delivery.  Add to this medical intervention (i.e. forceps delivery, vacuum extraction) and you have significant physical trauma.  If the mother requires medication, the baby can experience some chemical trauma.  All of these things make a visit to the chiropractor a necessity after the birthing process.  We have taken care of babies as young as 9 days old in our office.  A simple evaluation of the infant's cervical spine can determine whether or not vertebral spinal subluxation is present. 
As your baby begins to strengthen and develop their neck and spinal muscles, they deal with a "big, floppy head" on an unsophisticated little neck.  During this phase the baby learns to lift her head up and use her neck muscles in ways she hasn't before. 
Once her neck muscles are developed and she can control the lifting and movement of her head, she begins to utilize her limbs and often does the "skydiver" pose.  This helps her strengthen her lower spinal muscles and prepare for crawling.  Often you'll see your baby scooting around as she goes through this phase in her spinal development.
Once your little one begins to crawl, her world has expanded and it's time to move everything of value to a 3 foot height level!  Your baby will take many tumbles as she learns to navigate her newly available environment.
Stressing those little erector spinae muscles, she will push herself in a sitting position.  Now the intervertebral discs are more fully weight-bearing.
That last big milestone in physical development of an infant is their very first step.  From this point on, their potential to move is endless, (as is their potential to fall, slip and land). 

All of these developmental phases in going from a supine (back-lying) individual into standing fully erect and walking, impact your baby's tiny spine and nervous system.  Regular chiropractic check-ups can be key in preventing future problems.

What about sports?

With the many athletic opportunities available, it is not uncommon for children to be involved in one or more sporting events from a very young age.  It is especially important to have your child under chiropractic care when your child takes part in athletic activities.  The "sack" of a young quarterback could twist a young spine.  A softball pitcher could "throw" a vertebra out of alignment.  In Chiropractic we can do more than correct these problems, we can also help improve performance on and off the field by helping the body function at its optimum level, naturally without stress and without drugs.

Doctors of Chiropractic have been providing safe and effective care for children for nearly 100 years.