The Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Pediatric Patients: From Birth to Teens

As a parent, ensuring your child’s health and well-being is always top of mind. While many may associate chiropractic care with adults, pediatric chiropractic offers numerous benefits for children, from newborns to teenagers. This natural, holistic approach to health care can help address common childhood ailments and support a child’s growth and development. In this blog, we’ll explore how chiropractic care can assist with conditions like plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome), torticollis, ear infections, growing pains, poor posture, and colic, while also providing immune system support.

1. Chiropractic for Plagiocephaly and Torticollis

Plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome) and torticollis (tight or twisted neck) are more common than ever in newborns. Torticollis is often caused by muscle tightness in the neck or an issue during birth that affects neck positioning. Many patients find that these two conditions are related. If your infant has trouble turning his/her head from side to side or you notice they constantly have a head preference, they might have torticollis. Torticollis can happen from stress put on the spine during delivery or even an intra-uterine restriction. If a child has undiagnosed torticollis over time, that child’s head preference can create an imbalance in their cranium. 

Plagiocephaly often occurs due to pressure on the baby’s skull from being in one position for too long, such as lying on their back and/or having their head turned left or right for an extended period of time.

Chiropractic care offers gentle adjustments aimed at realigning the spine and supporting the body’s natural healing process. A 2015 study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that pediatric chiropractic care can safely and effectively treat torticollis, improving the range of motion in infants. Similarly, chiropractic care can help relieve pressure on the skull, allowing the head to develop a more symmetrical shape in cases of plagiocephaly.

2. Reducing Ear Infections

Ear infections are one of the most common reasons parents seek medical care for their children. While antibiotics are often prescribed, chronic ear infections can sometimes be related to issues in the spine and nervous system, particularly with the cervical spine (neck area). Misalignments in the upper cervical vertebrae may affect the function of the Eustachian tubes, preventing proper drainage and leading to infections. Improving circulation with gentle muscle work and mobilization can improve the biomechanics and support the child.

Chiropractic adjustments can realign the cervical spine, improving nerve function and aiding in better ear drainage. A study published in Explore: The Journal of Science & Healing found that children who received chiropractic care for recurrent ear infections experienced fewer infections and improved overall health. These results suggest that chiropractic care may be a useful tool in managing ear infections without the overuse of antibiotics.

3. Alleviating Growing Pains

As children grow, they may experience what’s commonly known as “growing pains,” particularly in the legs. While growing pains are a common part of childhood, they can be uncomfortable for some children. Chiropractic adjustments can help alleviate tension and stress in the body, reducing the discomfort associated with rapid growth.

A chiropractic evaluation can also help detect any imbalances in the child’s posture or gait, which could be contributing to the pain. Addressing these early on can prevent more serious musculoskeletal issues from developing later in life. According to a 2010 review in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, chiropractic care has shown to be effective in reducing growing pains and improving overall musculoskeletal health in children.

4. Improving Posture

As children grow into their teenage years, poor posture often becomes a concern, especially with the increasing use of smartphones, tablets, and computers. Slouching, forward head posture, and rounded shoulders can lead to long-term issues such as back pain, neck pain, and headaches.

Chiropractic care helps by correcting spinal misalignments and promoting proper posture. Chiropractors may also recommend exercises and stretches to strengthen the muscles supporting the spine. Research published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders shows that chiropractic interventions, when combined with posture education, can effectively reduce postural imbalances in adolescents. As part of our evaluation, we have a computerized posturography system to objectively demonstrate the improvement chiropractic care can have on posture.

5. Supporting the Immune System

One of the lesser-known benefits of pediatric chiropractic care is its potential to support the immune system. The spine plays a critical role in housing the nervous system, which is directly connected to the immune system. Misalignments in the spine can interfere with nerve function, which may impact the body’s ability to respond to illness and infection.

By restoring proper alignment, chiropractic care can help enhance the communication between the nervous and immune systems. Studies have shown that children who receive regular chiropractic adjustments may have fewer colds, infections, and general illnesses. A study published in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research found that regular chiropractic care resulted in enhanced immune function in children, demonstrating that chiropractic can be a valuable tool for keeping your child healthy.

6. Chiropractic Care for Colic

Colic is a condition characterized by excessive, inconsolable crying in an otherwise healthy infant. It is often caused by digestive discomfort, gas, or an immature nervous system. Chiropractic care has been found to help alleviate the symptoms of colic by addressing potential spinal misalignments that may be affecting the baby’s nervous and digestive systems.

A study published in The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics in 1999 found that infants who received chiropractic adjustments experienced a 50% reduction in crying time compared to those who did not receive adjustments. Another study in The Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics in 2008 reported that after receiving chiropractic care, 94% of parents noticed a reduction in colic symptoms in their infants. Chiropractic adjustments for colicky infants are extremely gentle, using only light pressure to correct any misalignments.

7. Chiropractic Care is Safe for Children

Many parents are understandably concerned about the safety of chiropractic care for their children, especially infants and toddlers. Rest assured, chiropractic care for children is both safe and gentle. Pediatric chiropractors use modified techniques tailored specifically for young patients. The adjustments are much lighter and more controlled than those performed on adults, often involving only gentle pressure. The pressure is often likened to the amount of pressure you would use to see if a tomato is ripe — about the same pressure as the weight of a nickel!

A comprehensive review published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics in 2016 examined over 12,000 cases of pediatric chiropractic care and found an extremely low incidence of adverse effects. The study concluded that chiropractic care is a safe, effective treatment option for children when administered by trained professionals.

Chiropractic Care Offers Holistic Ways to Support Your Child’s Health and Wellbeing

From birth to adolescence, chiropractic care can play a significant role in supporting your child’s overall health and well-being. Whether addressing conditions like plagiocephaly and torticollis in infancy, providing relief from growing pains and improving posture, or supporting the immune system, chiropractic care offers a holistic and natural approach to pediatric health. Backed by research, chiropractic adjustments are safe for children and can provide lasting benefits throughout their development. If you’re looking for a drug-free, non-invasive way to support your child’s health, consider incorporating chiropractic care into their wellness routine.

References

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