Chiropractic Care for Children: Myths
By Sara Butler
Chiropractic is one of those things many people don’t have a complete understanding of. For many years it was outside the “mainstream” and while over the last few decades it has become a major source of healthcare for millions of people, some myths still persist. Nowhere does this seem to be as true as chiropractic care for children. Here are some of the most pervasive myths associated with chiropractic care for children and the truth behind those myths!
Myth: Healthy Children Don’t Need Chiropractic Care
A child, just as an adult, doesn’t need to experience trauma or an accident in order to experience spinal misalignments. Minor traumas such as falls or even being born can cause spinal misalignments that can be treated by a chiropractor.
When a person, child or adult, is affected by spinal misalignments, they interfere with the proper function of the spinal nerves; this is of special concern when you are talking about a child. Over the first year of a child’s life, about 65 percent of their development involves their brain and nervous system. If that is not functioning at its most optimum level, it may have lifelong consequences for a child’s development.
Many parents now understand the benefits of chiropractic care for their children and seek out chiropractic care for their healthy children so that proper development and optimal health can occur.
Myth: Chiropractic Care is Unsafe for Kids
Chiropractors don’t view children as tiny adults. Pediatric chiropractors have specialized training in children's care and study specific techniques used to adjust children at any age. Each child is seen as special and a chiropractor will evaluate and care for them as individuals, treating them with the proper technique required.
Myth: Children Have to Be Old Enough for Chiropractic Care
Many people may think chiropractic care is only for older children, but the truth is children of all ages can benefit from chiropractic care. Some chiropractors see newborn infants in order to adjust them in order to correct the stress placed on the spine during the birthing process.
If your child is older and has never been to the chiropractor, it’s also never too early to get them started so that their central nervous system -- which allows the body to operate optimally -- is firing at peak performance. A child at any age and any stage of development can benefit from chiropractic care.
If you’re interested in finding out more about the benefits of chiropractic care for children, talk to your chiropractor during your next adjustment at The Joint Chiropractic. Walk-ins are welcome, and they don't bother with the hassle of insurance.