The modern-day chiropractic system and theory was founded in the United States in 1895.  Today, chiropractors are better known and accepted than many of the other complementary therapists.  They have only started to become widely accepted in caring for babies and children and I believe they are vital for childrens’ health.  When chiropractors work with children, they use a much more subtle and gentler technique than with adults.  This is because children’s bones have not developed fully.

Chiropractic therapy emphasizes the connection between illness and maladjustments in the spine.  It is useful in eliminating any symptom experienced in the body.   Chiropractors believe that certain corrections relax the nervous system.  The nervous system regulates all functions of the body.  The theory behind it is that when vertebrae are even subtly out of place, a break in proper nerve impulse transmission results (i.e. subluxation).  This triggers pain and a body’s defenses can be diminished.  When a chiropractor realigns the vertebrae, using well-controlled and specific techniques, the nervous system is restored to a healthy state.

There are all different kinds of chiropractic care; the primary feature of all chiropractic treatment is the chiropractic adjustment.  One type of adjustment is the manual adjustment where a joint is gently stretched to just beyond its normal range of motion and a “click” is heard.  A child will notice that he or she has more movement in that area and any pain will quickly disappear.  Some chiropractors use “non-force techniques” applying gentle touch along the spine, skull and pelvis.  No clicking or popping sounds are heard with this technique.  Other chiropractors use a hand held instrument called an Activator or torque release method that gently moves the vertebrae.  Another type of chiropractor uses applied kinesiology, which helps balance-opposing muscles, making adjustments more effective.  “Network chiropractors” are newer to the chiropractic field.  They combine a variety of chiropractic techniques depending on the subluxation particulars.

Chiropractors can turn babies around from a breech position.  They help babies that have just been born, checking to make sure that no vertebrae misalignment or abnormal cranial moulding occurred while going through the birth canal.  Chiropractic adjustments can even help in cases where babies have poor sucking capabilities and are not able to properly breastfeed.

Children having falls or even jumping on trampolines or into pools can end up with subluxations and need the help of a chiropractor.  Any child experiencing a symptom, condition or disease can benefit from a chiropractor’s care; the trick is to discover the root cause of those issues.   Chiropractors can assist with:

• colic,
• ear infections,
• eczema,
• chronic fatigue,
• headaches,
• muscle spasms,
• asthma, and
• attention deficit disorder

just to name a few.

“An experiment enrolled 81 children with asthma.  After 2 months of chiropractic care, 90% showed a significantly improved quality of life.”  Dr. Kristine Newman BSCH, DC, CACCP newsletter.

Our chiropractor was a tremendous help in eliminating Taylor’s gas, fussiness, colic and constipation when she was a baby.  I still needed to address her root cause, which was adverse food reactions, but her symptoms were completely eliminated with each visit.

One time, Taylor was having troubles breathing.  I had no idea why but thought I would see if our chiropractor could help with something like that.  It turns out she had some subluxations in her neck and as soon as those were adjusted, Taylor was able to breathe normally again.

My hope is that reading this information opens your mind to taking your child to a chiropractor that is recommended to you, even if you only try it once!

I’d love your feedback! Do you or your family visit a chiropractor? Don’t forget to leave a link back to your own blog if you have one via the commentluv feature here on the site.

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Until next time,

Meredith