Why Do Children Need Chiropractic?

By:  Adam Kerzner, D.C.

Why do children need chiropractic?

Let’s start at the beginning. The first visible structure in a growing embryo is the notochord, which becomes the brain and spinal chord. Next the beginning of the spine grows around this structure to protect it. All the bodies’ organs grow off of extensions from these first structures. Certainly there is significance in the order in which the body develops. The central nervous system develops to be the primary controlling organ for all bodily functions including healing.

As the twig is bent, so shall the tree grow.

A child may have many physical stresses to overcome in their short lives: Birth Trauma - difficult labors, forceps and vacuum extraction births, c-section births, etc. Can all have traumatic impacts on a newborn, especially in the upper neck and cranium? Infancy - Close to 50% of infants experience a significant fall in the first year of life from a bed, crib or infant dressing table Toddler - How many times does a toddler fall learning to walk? Childhood - accidents, playground bumps and falls, sports injuries, large book bags etc.

The human body is wonderfully designed to heal and release many traumas, but when we don’t there is a spinal subluxation. This is a dysfunction between the spine and the nervous system, which creates interference in the normal nerve transmission between the brain and body. Not only do we then have a subluxation at the point of injury, but elsewhere in the spine as the rest of our body compensates for that asymmetry. This sets up an abnormal pattern that the body will continue to grow into. When we get new tires on our car we align them so that they wear evenly over time. Our bodies also need alignment and the earlier in life, the better.

Structure equals Function.

A basic law of engineering states that with any change in structure causes a change in function. As the spinal structures change in response to stress and trauma, the functioning of those tissues must be affected. It takes 10 mm hg of pressure on a nerve to change the frequency of signal transmission through that nerve. In other words, it takes about the weight of a dime to significantly change the functioning of a nerve and therefore the functioning of whatever that nerve controls; whether it is a muscle, an organ, or the immune system.

But children don’t have back pain.

The human body is an amazing thing. It allows us to function for 10, 20, or even 30 years before we exhibit pain related to spinal subluxation, but that does not mean we are not affected? By keeping a child’s spine free of subluxations a child’s body will function at a higher level.

Chiropractic is not meant to be a treatment for any specific health condition, but by reducing spinal stress children with many different conditions have been helped. Research has shown children with colic, ear infections, asthma and learning disabilities have improved with chiropractic care.

When should I have my child's spine checked?

Increasingly, parents are seeking out alternatives to drugs for their children’s ailments as well as for wellness care. Chiropractic is a safe and effective alternative when your child has ear, respiratory or digestive health issues. In addition, a child’s spine should be checked if their health or behavior is impacted by a fall or injury.

Our children get their hearts, lungs, eyes and teeth checked. The health of the central nervous system and the spine are critically important to our overall health. Get your child’s spine checked as well as your own.

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