Many people go to a chiropractor regularly but never think of taking their children for maintenance care.

Why is this?

There is a “myth” that only adults get back pain.  Back pain often results from years of stress, untreated injuries, and cumulative wear.  

Children have spines too.  Those spines are vulnerable to stress and injury just as adults’ spines are.

Surprisingly, the first stress placed on a child’s spinal column is during the birthing process. Equally surprising is the fact that 25% of children surveyed at school reported a history of back pain.

A child’s spine is frequently subjected to repeated forces in the process of learning to walk.  By the time kids are school-age, they are toting backpacks around and participating in regular physical activity.  Also, they occasionally suffer falls and “wipe-outs” as they develop their athletic skills and test their limits.  All these factors place pressure on their growing spines.

Many adults that come in to a chiropractor’s office show evidence of childhood injuries to their spine.  Those injuries are contributing factors to their current pain and other problems that they experience today, as grown-ups. This is why it is so important to have your child’s spine checked regularly for any signs of imbalances or misalignments.

Fortunately, chiropractic care has had many positive results in treating some very common childhood maladies. Problems like colic, headaches, ear infections, scoliosis, asthma and even some cases of behavioral problems and bed-wetting have been successfully treated with chiropractic care. In fact, a recent study showed that children under chiropractic care suffered from fewer ear infections than those whose parents sought medical care alone.

Are chiropractic adjustments safe for children?

Absolutely! Because a child’s skeletal system is still developing, there is a great deal of elasticity within the joints. Light pressure is usually all that is needed to adjust a child’s spine. 

The next time you come in to our office, bring your children! The few minutes you invest in your child’s spinal checkup today may save them needless suffering tomorrow.

If your children have never had chiropractic care, we would be honoured to have them as patients.  Or, if we haven’t seen them recently, it is time for regular maintenance care.