Chiropractic care is an exceptional alternative to conventional Western medicine and surgeries. This non-invasive modality works tremendously and is known to impart multiple therapeutic benefits. In modern, advanced healthcare setups, even children can receive chiropractic care for different disorders. Thus, today we shed some light on pediatric chiropractic care.
What Is Pediatric Chiropractic Care?
The provision of chiropractic adjustments to young patients/children for musculoskeletal disorders is known as pediatric chiropractic care. Aligning the spines and muscles of the young individuals prevents future complications and ensures the overall health and well-being of the children.
Who Needs Pediatric Chiropractic Care?
Infants and children with the following conditions can benefit from chiropractic treatment:
- Cervical spine misalignments that cause breastfeeding/latching issues or sleep problems.
- Nervous imbalances that cause colic in infants.
- Spine abnormalities such as scoliosis, rounded shoulders, and forward head posture, etc.
- Delayed motor development due to nervous issues.
Benefits Of Pediatric Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic treatment for kids offers numerous health benefits, some of which are discussed below:
Aligns The Spine
Contrary to common beliefs, children are also prone to spinal misalignments. Poor postures (due to smartphone usage) and heavy school bags dispense kids to long-term spinal deformities that can easily turn into debilitations. The spinal misalignment in young folks can also stem from an abnormal curvature of the spine.
Conditions like scoliosis, lordosis and kyphosis can significantly impact a young one’s life.
The deviation of the spine in scoliosis is determined using the Cobb angle. Studies suggest that chiropractic techniques can effectively reduce the Cobb angle in idiopathic adolescent scoliosis.
A study found that chiropractic techniques play a positive role in alleviating symptoms (headache, dizziness, etc.) in young patients suffering from pediatric cervical lordosis. Moreover, there is growing evidence to support the use of this non-invasive method to restore normal curvature of the spine. In a clinical study, chiropractic biophysics led to an appreciable reduction in thoraco-lumbar junctional kyphosis in adolescents.
Thus, by improving posture in young patients, chiropractic care keeps discomfort at bay and improves quality of life.
Alleviates Pain and Discomfort
Patients suffering from chronic pain disorders of the musculoskeletal system and sufferers of trauma/injury are often advised surgery for improvement of symptoms. An exceptional alternative to surgical intervention is chiropractic care. This mode of treatment minimizes the use of surgery and provides pain relief.
Infantile patients and their parents are most commonly distressed with colic. Infantile colic makes the child irritated and impacts their overall health. A randomized controlled trial found that spinal manipulation by a chiropractor relieved infantile colic. So, your child can sleep peacefully (and let you sleep) after a pediatric chiropractic session!
Is Pediatric Chiropractic Care Safe?
Yes, pediatric chiropractic care is completely safe if done by a professional. The Legacy Clinic of Chiropractic has specially trained professionals who provide custom tailored treatments to pediatric patients. We apply light pressure and carry out gentle manipulation to ensure a safe, and pleasant experience for toddlers/infants!
References
- Byun, S., & Han, D. (2016). The effect of chiropractic techniques on the Cobb angle in idiopathic scoliosis arising in adolescence. Journal of physical therapy science, 28(4), 1106-1110.
- Oakley, P., Kallan, S., & Harrison, D. (2022). Improving the pediatric cervical lordosis: A review of Chiropractic Biophysics® case reporting. Journal of Contemporary Chiropractic, 5(1), 190-195.
- Gubbels, C. M., Werner, J. T., Oakley, P. A., & Harrison, D. E. (2019). Reduction of thoraco-lumbar junctional kyphosis, posterior sagittal balance, and increase of lumbar lordosis and sacral inclination by Chiropractic BioPhysics® methods in an adolescent with back pain: a case report. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 31(10), 839-843.
- Wiberg, J. M., Nordsteen, J., & Nilsson, N. (1999). The short-term effect of spinal manipulation in the treatment of infantile colic: a randomized controlled clinical trial with a blinded observer. Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics, 22(8), 517-522.