Is Chiropractic Appropriate for Children?

Is Chiropractic Appropriate for Children?

Chiropractic is for children too!

Yes! Doctors of Chiropractic are trained and licensed to treat children. At the core of chiropractic treatment is the belief that good health is determined by a healthy nervous system (read more about chiropractic care). This is true at all ages from birth through old age. However, our bodies do change and so the types of treatments are going to be different. Compared to adults, children’s joints are softer, their muscles are not so tight, and overall healing is faster. Therefore, pediatric chiropractic adjustments are much gentler.

We don’t generally think of children complaining about their aching backs – but what about those leg pains that we often dismiss as “growing pains.” Leg pains are just one of many childhood complaints that respond very well to chiropractic treatments. Ear aches, colic, sleep problems and bedwetting have also all been helped, according to grateful parents. Traditional medical practitioners do not generally embrace chiropractic treatment for children because there are practically no studies on whether or not it works. Also, the argument goes, these conditions largely clear up on their own anyhow. Well, sure – the body after all does heal itself. But wouldn’t it be better to help the process along, and relieve the pain? One final thought here: there have been studies on the side effects and dangers of even over-the-counter pain remedies, which do not get at the underlying cause.

Children of course can suffer vertebral misalignments and joint injuries due to falls, bumps, sports, poor posture or even not enough activity. Chiropractic treatment is drug-free, non-invasive, safe and effective. Chiropractors, especially those with a DABCI, are highly trained in internal diagnosing and will know what to recommend if your child’s condition needs additional medical intervention.