Children and Chiropractic
At The Lifehouse, our approach is to create an environment where people of all ages feel comfortable, respected and heard. As a matter of fact, almost half of the people who come to see us are pregnant women, babies & kids.
Why is it so important to check a child’s spine and nervous system?
The greatest period of brain growth and development occurs during the first 2 years of life. One of the essential ingredients for healthy development of the brain is movement – and in particular, proper movement in the spine. This movement literally ‘feeds’ the brain, just as nutrients fuel our bodies. The problem arises when very slight misalign-ments in the spine cause altered movement in the joints that can interfere with this stimulation to the brain, and hinder optimal development of the nervous system. Since this is the master control for the body, this can interfere with how any part of your body works, including muscles, organs, immune system, brain function and your body’s stress response. This communication is essential to the proper function of their body, and is often the missing link in a person’s health and wellbeing, simply because most people don’t know to check for it.
After all, we check our kids’ eyes, ears and teeth – but somehow have left out checking the most vital system of all: the nervous system.
How would I know if my child’s spine and nerve system is healthy and functioning properly?
The truth is, in most cases, you wouldn’t. While there could be signs, like an infant who only looks or nurses to one side, or who can’t latch, won’t crawl, or is often fussy – in many babies and children, the signs are minimal and not known to be associated with the spine and nerves. With other children, dysfunction shows up in issues like recurring ear infections, constipation, or weak immune systems, while many postural imbalances, pain or symptoms don’t become evident until the adolescent years.
Why would my child’s spine have problems at such a young age?
Our bodies go through many challenges as we grow, possibly including:
- Physical stresses such as birth trauma, bumps and falls, sports, and recurring postural habits like playing with electronics.
- Chemical stresses such as pregnancy/birth chemicals, repeated antibiotics, food sensitivities and environmental allergies.
- Mental or Emotional stresses such as traumatic birth, separation, maternal or family stresses.
These can overload a young child’s body and nervous system, much in the way that we can blow a fuse if we overload the electrical panel in our homes.
This is why we advocate having your child’s spine and nervous system checked – whether they have problems or not.
As with anything in our health, the earlier we start healthy habits and instil healthy pat-terns, the more long-lasting the results. It is so much easier to correct underlying issues in babies and children than it is to address long-standing patterns in adults. As a parent, it could save your family years of health challenges and give you peace of mind.
How do you adjust a baby or child?
Chiropractic adjustments – especially on children – should never hurt. On the very young, an adjustment is done with pressure as light as what you could press on your eyeball comfortably, and most babies are checked while in the arms of their parents, and often sleep through it. Dr. Amy Robinson, as a member of the International Chiro-practic Pediatric Association (www.icpa4kids.org) has completed post-graduate studies on specific techniques for pregnant mothers, infants and children to enhance her skills in this field. As a matter of fact, kids often enter our office running to the table, wanting to be first. They ask for an adjustment, and giggle their way through it.
How do I get more information?
Call our office and talk to us. We understand that our approach is different, and that many parents have questions. With over a decade of experience seeing families, and thousands of appointments with babies and kids, we will answer your questions and put your mind at ease about whether this might be the right choice for you.
Dr. Amy Robinson
Family Chiropractor