Chiropractic care may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of healthcare for children, but it is one of the safest ways to ensure your child’s wellness. Chiropractors are taught special techniques for adjusting children. They can evaluate your child’s spine, make lifestyle recommendations, and correct any existing subluxations. Keeping their spine aligned as they grow will lead to a healthier back and nervous system in adulthood.
Student-athletes have unique needs that can be addressed with chiropractic care. Chiropractic adjustment and other treatments offered in your chiropractor’s office, like laser therapy, are safe, non-addictive solutions to pain. Chiropractors are equipped to evaluate and diagnose injuries and provide in-office and at-home treatment plans. Chiropractic treatments reduce inflammation and allow the body to heal faster. This means your teen might be able to get back to the sport they love sooner.
Better yet, regular chiropractic care can help prevent injuries. Since spinal adjustment affects the nervous system, it improves coordination, range of motion, and flexibility. Athletes who receive regular chiropractic care get injured less often than those who don’t. They also show measurable increases in athletic performance. Most professional sports teams keep a team chiropractor on hand to treat their players, but your child doesn’t have to be a professional athlete to reap the benefits of chiropractic care.
Every parent knows that as soon as the fall/winter season starts, the creeping crud starts going around. Colds and stomach bugs happen to everyone sometimes, but a strong immune system helps cut down on sick days. Since the nervous system interacts with the immune system, chiropractic adjustment can increase immunity. Studies have shown that both children and adults who receive regular chiropractic care experience fewer viral infections than those who don’t.
In addition to being preventative, chiropractic adjustment can also help heal certain illnesses. Babies and young children who struggle with chronic ear infections can benefit from chiropractic care. A specific adjustment technique is used to free the nerve that controls the opening and closing of the Eustachian tubes within the ear. In one study, 93% of the children involved saw improvement in ear infection symptoms after adjustment. Studies have also shown that regular chiropractic care in young children can make ear infections less frequent.
If your child is complaining of headaches or is struggling to sit still at times, posture may be to blame. Just as adults need to sit with correct posture to avoid injury, kids also need to avoid hunching or slouching. Your chiropractor can evaluate your child to see if bad posture may be causing them discomfort. He will also help give you and your child tips on how to use better posture in life.
Some kids have weak core muscles. This can make it more difficult for them to sit with a healthy posture. Kids with weak core muscles may also struggle with motor skills like writing or doing up buttons. Dr. Diana can evaluate your child for this and assign exercises to improve their core strength.
Chiropractors, like Dr. D, are holistic practitioners. This means she takes the whole person, lifestyle, diet, and habits into account. She is a great resource for parents like you, who may be wondering how to help their child wear a backpack correctly, eat healthier or be more active. Don’t hesitate to bring up these concerns during your child’s appointment.