What is a Pediatric Chiropractor? A Complete Guide to Chiropractic for Kids

Did you know that the term “chiropractic” comes from a Greek phrase meaning “done” or “made by hand”?

The philosophy of chiropractic care is built on the principle that the human body is capable of healing itself, but only when the spine is in alignment, and the human nervous system is functioning correctly. To achieve this alignment, the chiropractor can use their hands, and sometimes a small, simple tool, to adjust the vertebrae to assist in the body’s ability to heal itself.

Although the chiropractic practice originated as an alternative to medicine, it is becoming more and more mainstream. In addition, while it was originally used predominantly to assist in the healing of back pain, the benefits of chiropractic are being seen as much broader.

The phenomenon can be seen in the testimonials of individuals all over the country. People who are adjusted regularly rave about the quick-acting relief of chiropractic treatment, and its relative ease in comparison with other medical therapies.

Within the field of chiropractic, there are other smaller sub-fields, and every chiropractor has his or her own specializations and fortes. A chiropractic adjustment for a twenty-five-year-old man is very different than for a three-week-old baby, which is in turn different than for an eighty-year-old woman.

Some fields of chiropractic are older and more developed. Some are newer and rapidly growing. One example of a rapidly growing field in the chiropractic world is pediatric chiropractic care.

What is Pediatric Chiropractic Care?

While the benefits of chiropractic care for adults have long been established, children and infants can reap the many benefits of Pediatric Chiropractic Care.

If you were to look around your child’s school or playground, you can expect that out of every 100 kids, three to five have experienced chiropractic. And these numbers are only rising.

In a recent analysis by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, it was found that about 17% of those receiving chiropractic care are minors under eighteen and about 8% are children under five years old.

The benefits of chiropractic care for a child’s health can be huge and long-reaching, often well into adulthood. Now more than ever, both adults and children are seeking alternative methods to naturally assist their bodies to achieve the optimal health we all desire.

Are Chiropractic Adjustments Safe for Kids?

Safety is understandably one of the first questions asked regarding chiropractic effectiveness for kids. Taking your child, particularly your newborn, to any doctor, is a scary thing. There is no way of getting around that.

Within the chiropractic field, there are often many questions and concerns from parents who are looking for an alternative approach to help their children with ailments and health issues they are experiencing.

The most common undesired effects include mild aches, pains, and muscle fatigue for a short period. A 2011 study by Matthew Doyle discovered a 0.53-1% rate of mild negative effects in children who had a pediatric chiropractic adjustment.

More extreme adverse effects have been reported in a couple of cases, but the numbers are incredibly low. Much lower than in most other fields of child therapy and medicine.

This takes us to one of the main reasons that so many parents are taking their children to pediatric chiropractors. It is an effective, natural alternative to help ease many conditions that would otherwise be treated with drugs and other medicines. And compared to most of these drug-based treatments, it is very safe. But what exactly can a chiropractor do for your child?

Common Conditions that Chiropractic for Kids Address

The advantages of pediatric chiropractic care are wide-ranging, and the adjustments can be used to help innumerable cases, as reported by the American Chiropractic Association.

While chiropractic treatment sessions don’t necessarily “treat” anyone’s specific condition, we know that restoring proper function to the child’s nervous system can in turn help assist with a wide variety of health concerns.

Here are five of the most common ailments pediatric chiropractors see while working with children.

ALLERGIES

The child’s immune system and nervous system have a very close, tight-knit relationship.

A chiropractor can help control the body’s reaction to allergens by improving the communication between the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body. This can include dangerous, life-threatening allergic reactions, as well as the usual seasonal allergies that children can be so susceptible to.

This natural adjustment within the body is often preferable to heavy doses of antihistamines and other medications used to lessen the effects of allergies. And it can save your child years of grief in the cases of life-long, serious allergies.

ASTHMA

Asthma is often, although not always, related to a pre-existing allergy or allergic reaction. If not based on an allergy, asthma can be induced by exercise, or exposure to irritants such as chemicals, gasses, or dust.

What is being helped in the case of asthma are the symptoms, which include shortness of breath, chest tightness, and a whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling.

Alternatively, the method used when helping to relieve asthma is similar to that used when working with allergies. A chiropractor can adjust the spine as well as improve communication between the spinal cord and brain, which in turn affects the way that your child breathes. And whether or not your child’s asthma is allergy-induced or not, the core solution lies within fixing breathing patterns.

COLIC

One of the most common reasons many parents bring their infant(s) to a chiropractic care office is to help to relieve colic. Colic often arrives in an infant around six weeks of age and disappears around four months. It is a common problem, with roughly 15% of babies having been diagnosed with this illness, and many more remain undiagnosed.

Although the exact cause of colic is unknown, it is thought to be due to digestive issues, particularly intestinal discomfort and cramping. The main symptom that kids experience is constant bouts of crying for up to three hours a day, for more than three days a week, for three consecutive weeks, particularly in the evening.

The child must be otherwise healthy. Chiropractic adjustments have been known to reduce the symptoms of colic by up to 50%.

EAR INFECTIONS

Ear infections or earaches are probably the number one reason that most parents bring their children to chiropractors.

Statistically, about five out of six kids will experience a serious ear infection by the time they are three, and many will have multiple types of other infections. They can be caused by a cold, virus, water in the ear, or a sinus infection.

The traditional way of treating an ear infection is strong antibiotics, but many parents want an alternate, antibiotic-free way of treating their child. Pediatric chiropractors can adjust the spine which affects the nervous system to fortify the immune system and help your child’s body manage both growing pains and infections better.

BEDWETTING

Bedwetting can be difficult for both children and their parents, particularly when the problem persists well past the point that it should. And it is not a problem with an easy solution.

The reasons for chronic bedwetting in a child can be wide-ranging, including a small bladder, an inability to recognize when the bladder is full, a hormonal imbalance, a urinary tract infection, sleep apnea, and others. This makes confronting the problem a challenge.

But fortunately, as nerves affect organs, including the bladder, a chiropractor can easily help ease the problem. Adjusting spinal misalignments can take the stress away from nerves, which in turn allows organs to function normally, allowing for better bladder control among other things.

The Health Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Children

Support the child’s immune system and digestive health

Your child’s immune system will be strong enough to fight off a cold or other infection as they grow.  A chiropractor can help improve the digestive health of a child by boosting its body’s ability to manage intestinal concerns such as constipation and acid reflux.

Improve your Sleep

Children of all ages need good sleep to function in the daytime as well as to grow emotionally and physically. It’s also a big factor in their nerve development.

Regularly getting enough sleep can improve the attention, behavior, learning, memory, mental, and overall physical health of children.

Poor posture and spinal misalignment can lead to serious problems for their fragile bodies. Bad spinal health can cause severe discomfort during sleep.

Pediatric chiropractic care is effective at relieving stress and improving a child’s sleep issues and behavior.

Support the Nervous System of Children

Specialized chiropractic adjustments are available to make sure that your child’s spinal health is optimal.

This will address and prevent certain issues in the child’s spine and nerves like ear infections, as well as respiratory problems such as asthma or allergies.

Enhance the behavior of your child

Pediatric chiropractic care is gentle, safe, and effective in reducing kids’ stress, which can lead to improved emotional and physical well-being. It encourages children to have a healthy lifestyle and a more fulfilling life.

Proper Growth

As parents, we have to understand that babies deal with their own problems, too. Their bodies are fragile and spinal misalignments can happen at the slightest touch or with quick movements.

Spinal misalignments may cause colic, trouble latching, reflux, and other childhood issues, especially in infants.

It can be difficult for parents to figure out how to help their children. You can visit our office for chiropractic treatment.

Brain Development

Since chiropractic care, in general, highly benefits the nervous system, it can greatly improve your child’s brain development. Pediatric chiropractic care relieves pressure on the spine, joints, and bones, which helps in increasing concentration and focus.

Chiropractic care for children also targets conditions such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Sensory Integration Disorder, and Other neurodevelopmental disorders.

Choosing the Best Chiropractor for Children In Prescott, AZ

The many benefits of pediatric chiropractic care can help you feel more confident in your child’s ability to grow and face the future with a strong mind and healthy body.

Choosing a chiropractor for your child can take some time with research and feeling comfortable with the right one. Giving your child to a chiropractor is a leap of faith, and requires a lot of trust.

Fortunately, choosing the best chiropractors in Prescott, Arizona, is a relatively easy process. Cornerstone Family Chiropractic walks you through the process step by step, day by day, and chiropractic visit by chiropractic visit. They tell you exactly what you and your child can expect on your first visit when you come into their office and gentle adjustments can correct spinal problems and bring significant improvements to your child’s health.

Dr. Boehland of Cornerstone Family Chiropractic provides a family-oriented chiropractic environment with thorough chiropractic assessments and evaluations to determine the best plan for you and your child. He and his friendly staff are happy to assist in your needs and to answer any questions that come up before and during any of your visits.

The best care for your children is right around the corner at Cornerstone Family Chiropractic of Prescott, AZ.