People are often surprised to find out that children need chiropractic care. They will say things like, “Kids don’t have any stress!” And “Why would a child have lower back pain?” A common misconception with chiropractic care is that it is only effective for treating pain. This idea really sells the body short. Chiropractic care does typically alleviate pain, however, this is only the tip of the iceberg. If you ask a chiropractor, they will tell you that pain doesn’t dictate their course of treatment for any given patient. 

​

Signs and Symptoms Besides Pain

​

When a chiropractor looks at your spine, they are looking for many different signs and symptoms that hint at nervous system dysregulation. Skin temperature, skin appearance, moisture levels on the skin, muscle tone, muscle strength, reflexes, alignment of the vertebrae, posture, and many more palpable and observable signs are noted and considered during an examination. The body is amazing and complex; it does everything it can to keep you out of pain. Pain is often one of the last signs to appear when your nervous system is calling out for help. 

There are many symptoms that you, as a patient, may not realize are signs of dysregulation in your central nervous system. Fatigue, mental fogginess, headaches, migraines, dizziness, weakness, loss of balance, anxiety, digestive issues, irritability, and many other common ailments point to a nervous system that has been taxed and is in need of some TLC. 

​

How Nervous System Dysfunction Manifests in Children

​

In infants and children, signs can look a little different. Colic, bedwetting, night terrors, behavioral issues, trouble latching, struggling to meet milestones, and difficulty with self-soothing are common problems that can be alleviated with chiropractic adjustments. As parents and guardians, its our job to advocate for our children. They can’t always express feelings of overwhelm or anxiety. We need to recognize clues that they are stuck in a state of dysrgulation and we need to be proactive. 

​

The incredible truth about chiropractic care is that it addresses the root cause of many issues. It works from the inside out to help the body truly heal. When it comes to children, especially, the communication between the central nervous system (CNS) and the rest of the body is critical. Everything that you do in a day is dictated by your CNS. If you want to move your arm, your brain sends signals to the muscles necessary to perform that action. If you want to sing your favorite song in the shower, it’s your CNS directing the symphony of your vocal chords. When you experience an intense situation, your brain is directing cortisol to your blood to help you spring into action.

 

How Chiropractic Adjustments Help Children

​

You can deduce that if a child has interference in the pathways that are directing any of these actions, their bodies will display some sort of distress. Adjustments communicate with the CNS through small, specific impulses that help to bring the body back to a state of ‘rest and digest’ or parasympathetic activity. This allows for optimal healing. 

 

Quick Facts

​

1) Babies who receive chiropractic care cry for an average of 1.27 hours less every day than those who do not receive chiropractic care!

2) Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to resolve ‘growing pains’ in children.

3) Research shows that any adverse responses to chiropractic care are rare in children and that adjustments do not produce serious complications or reactions.