Children play hard in all they do, from organized sports to neighborhood games, getting bangs and bumps. These may need just a little soap and water to clean, but a lot seem to be OK when looked at on the surface. Like adults just a little pressure on a spinal nerve can cause big problems. These will very from a little aches and pains today, to inability to sit comfortably in school or increased sickness tomorrow.

Chiropractic can remove the pressure on the spine and help alleviate these current and future problems.

And how about the falls when wee little ones are learning to walk. This can create problems in the neck, hips, legs, knees and feet and effect the lumbar and sciatic nerves, which go through the hip area and down each leg to the feet. Over time, these "falls" can become other health problems in the child's growth and into adult life. (Take a look at the Suffering needlessly page to see where the nevers are and the symptoms they can cause.)

So this brings us to a set of questions about Chiropractic Care and Children.

Probably the first question asked is why do children even need Chiropractic care they do not have bad backs?

When the nervous system is not working at it's best then the child can not be as healthily as the child could be. So this leads to another question.

When should that first Chiropractic exam for the Vertebral Subluxation (spinal misalignment) be done?

Well even so-called "natural" birthing methods can stress a still-developing spine. The resulting irritation to the nervous system can be the cause of many newborn health complaints. Colic, sudden infant death syndrome, unexplained crying, poor appetite, breathing problems, and allergic reactions can often be traced to nervous system dysfunction caused by a malfunctioning spine. As soon as possible after birth is the best time for the first check up.

Then follow up care continues as the baby beings to lift the head support, followed by crawling, and a baby's first few steps should be followed by Chiropractic checkups. If neglected, the bumps and falls during this period of rapid growth may lead to serious spinal deformities later in life. This can set the stage for Scoliosis, "growing pains," and a weakened immune system response.

The Chiropractic spinal check ups are vital to the health of your child as the vertebral subluxation complex can cause or prolong the following symptoms in a child; Fever, Colic, Croup, poor posture, Constipation, Weakness or fatigue, Loss of hearing, arthritis, irritability, neck aches, Sore throat, Cough, Skin disorders, Bronchitis, Poor coordination, Arm - hand - shoulder pain, Hip - leg - foot pain, Hypertension, Nervousness, Bed wetting, Stomachaches, Ear infections, Numbness, Headaches, Backaches, Eye problems, Sinus problems, Asthma and wheezing, Frequent colds, Poor circulation, Painful joints, Scoliosis.

Stop and think are all of these above symptoms due to a lack of drugs, I do not think so, after all we have more drugs in our country than any other in the world.

Remember too that Chiropractic is a drugless health care. As a matter of fact the reason that Chiropractor first got state license was due to the fact that chiropractic patients were not dying during the 1918 influenza epidemic. So Chiropractic care is with out drugs, with out the painful needles

So is it really that important for Chiropractic care during the first year of life?

Yes, during that first year of life the spine grows almost 50% in length. It changes from the fetal curve it has in the womb, to four distinct and different curves of the human adult spine. On the growth alone just think if you where 6 foot tall at the beginning of this year and by the end of this year you were 9 foot tall. That is how much the baby's spine is growing.

So are Chiropractor trained to take care of children?

This is not anything new to the chiropractor. We are trained in pediatric Chiropractic procedures. The first recorded professional Chiropractic adjustment on a child was performed in 1923. There are also cases before this date but it was before Chiropractic was recognized as a true health care practice.

In a 1988 article in the New England Journal of medicine, they stated that more than 20 million infants and children had Chiropractic visits that year.

So Why Should I as a Parent take my Child to a Chiropractor?

The most obvious reason is that Chiropractic works. Everyday in Chiropractic offices around the country we hear parents say that after trying this and that for their child, they decided to give Chiropractic a try, and now, their child is better. Chiropractic also is non-invasive." One such example is "bed wetting". The medical profession will try several different types of treatment and get little or nor results and then tell the parent the child will out grow the problem not to worry. This condition most of the time responds in a treatment or two at the chiropractor.

Let's face it are ear aches due to the lack of tubes for them, is a fever due to the lack of aspirin, I do not thinks so.

How effective is Chiropractic care for children?

In a 1989 study comparing 200 children under the care of pediatricians and 200 under the care of chiropractors showed that the health of the Chiropractic children was markedly superior to the health of the standard medical care. The Chiropractic children had fewer ear infections, fewer cases of tonsillitis, and fewer cases of allergies. This also includes less antibiotic treatment and medications including the immunization.

As for immunizations I will only say that the vast majority of studies show that the side effects of these can cause brain damage, loss of normal health and seem to be related to increases in MS, Muscular Dustophy, Chronic Fatigue, and even at times SID's or sudden infant death syndrome.

As for my own children I, Dr. Mike, found the risk far to great to subject them to the shots.

If you have question on this please call our office for a consultation and I will gladly take the time to discuss this with you personally.

After all at this time there are approximately 30 million Americans choosing Chiropractic care for their children and themselves.

What if my child does not respond to Chiropractic health care.

Chiropractors are trained in diagnosing even complex health care problems. Our first concern is always the health of the child and will make the necessary referrals to other health specialist as the need arises. I believe that the International Chiropractors Association's positions statement says it all " doctors in all fields of practice are ethically and morally bound to make patient referrals to practitioners in other fields of healing when such referrals are necessary to provide the highest quality of patient care." I wonder why more Medical doctors do not refer to chiropractors? Is it that they do not know enough about chiropractic care? Is it that medicine is big business not only in their offices, but the hospitals, and the big drug companies? I do not know!

Children and x-rays do they need them?

The youngest infant does not even have all the bones fully formed to the point that they would show on a x-ray, so there is no reason to x-ray them. As the child grows and the bones mature x-rays could become indicated. This indication could be a chronic condition the child has and the doctor needs to see just how the spine is developing, or could be that the child has a high shoulder, high hip, or their shoes are wearing on one side. So in general x-rays, as with adults, are a tool that Doctors of Chiropractic use to evaluate, but the decision is done on an individual bases.

Who is responsible for the health care of your child?

As a parent you have this responsibility. As a doctor it is my responsibility to educate you to make the right decisions for this health care. As a Father I have seen in my house the healthy effects of Chiropractic care from the time my children where conceived, through their childhood and now into their adult life. I am very willing to help you as a parent to learn about the benefits of Chiropractic Care.

Preparing your child for their first visit. What do I need to know and tell them?

The first visit to any doctor for a young child is scary; it is an unknown situation. If the child is an infant, a newborn and has grown up under Chiropractic care they already know that it feels good to have their spine adjusted. This is the best type of care from birth. For a toddler, just as you would for a dental check up reassure that child that things will be ok, nerve tell them that is will not hurt. We all know at time life has its pains, but that any pain or discomfort are normal and that when it is done they will feel so much better. Chiropractic offices in general are happy places to be they are not normally filled with sick crying children, but with happy health ones. Explain to them that there are tables and tools that that the Doctor of Chiropractic will use to check them and if they have questions to ask, you or the doctor. If they have a favorite doll or stuffed animal that they want to bring with them to have a spinal check up encourage them to do so. I personally will never forget check a vacuum cleaner cause the kid thought it was so funny, but then had no problems getting checked himself.

THE CHIROPRACTIC LIFESTYLE

Many spinal problems seen in adults begin in childhood. Proper spinal hygiene is an important key to better health. Give your child a chance with becoming a person living the "Chiropractic Lifestyle".

A continuing schedule of regular Chiropractic checkups can help detect, correct, and maintain optimum spinal and nervous system function. Find out how Chiropractic care, combined with proper diet, exercise, and other aspects of good health and personal hygiene can enhance your well being and help you enjoy life to the fullest. Ask your Doctor of Chiropractic for a care program designed for your age, condition, and lifestyle.

Conclusion

This is not only for your children, but also for each person. Without spinal health true health can not be attained. This is the reason that more and more people and families are seeking not only acute Chiropractic care, but also preventative Chiropractic care, health maintance.

After all we give our teeth, our vision, and our hearing checkups why not included spinal heath in that check up.

References

Leboyer, F. 1984 Birth Without Violence, New York: Alfred A. Knopf. pp.21,28

van Breda, W.M. van Breda, J.M. A Comparative Study of the Health Status of Children Raised Under the Health Care Models of Chiropractic and Alopathic Medicine. Journal of Chiropractic Research, pp. 101-103, Summer 1989

Giesen, J.M. Center, D.B. Leach, R.A. An Evaluation of Chiropractic Manipulation As a Treatment of Hyperactivity in Children. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Cotober 1989; 12: 353-63

Walton, E.V. Chiropractic Effectiveness with Emotional, Learning and Behavioral Impairments. International Review of Chiropractic, 29: 2-5, 21-22, September 1975.

Gemmell HA, Jacobson BH. Chiropractic Management of Enuresis: Time Series Descriptive Design. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 1989: 12: 386-389

Lewit K., Functional Disorders (fixations) of the Spine in Children. Manuelle Therapie, Barth Leipzig, 1973, Chap 2.7. pp. 50-54

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