Is Chiropractic Care Safe for Children

As a new parent, we worry ourselves 24-hours a day over every moment of that precious new little life, and rightly so.  This is one of God's miracles, and we realize we are 100% responsible for the opportunity that He has entrusted us with his precious little creation. You worry that they will eat too much, not eat enough, breathe too fast, you watch them while they sleep to just make sure they are still breathing...you make sure people don't get too close, and when they do that they hold their heads perfectly.  You develop a worry about everything. 

In those precious first few days, we realize the baby is getting used to a whole new world.  The baby is now having to work for food (the IV drip - a.k.a umbilical cord - is gone).  The cozy comfy warm bath has been drained, clothes have been put on and the growth spurt has kicked in.  Rarely is nursing perfect at the beginning and can be tough for both mom and baby.  Many times babies can develop colic, a reaction from momma's diet and the baby's digestive system. The babies head is leveling out from that cone shape it gets through the birth canal, and rounding out...all in all a TON of growth and movement in those first few weeks!  Wouldn't it be nice if there was a way to simply have your baby feel relaxed and reassured midst all this chaos?  Check out this adjustment given to a wee-little one, by a doctor of chiropractic Dr. Simon Floreani

Doctors of chiropractic believe that the body was designed to self heal and self regulate, and causing a stimulus to the nervous system, can help the brain to fire the correct messages to all areas of the body.  Rumors have spread many decades ago, and have done a great job of convincing the public that chiropractic can be a cause of (VBA) stroke.  So, I always like to go to the research and see what studies have proven. Here are just 3 quick finds...but if you search PubMed you will most definitely find many many more.

Risk of vertebrobasilar stroke and chiropractic care: results of a population-based case-control and case crossover study. Result: No Risk. Patient is just as likely to suffer a stroke after visiting the PCP as after visiting a chiropractor. 

Quantifying strain in the vertebral artery with simultaneous motion analysis of the head and neck: a preliminary investigation.  Result: No Risk. A chiropractic adjustment was less stressful on the vertebral artery than simply doing normal range-of-motion exercises.

Incidence of iatrogenesis associated with osteopathic manipulative treatment of pediatric patients.  Result: Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment is safe for pediatric patients, by doctors with experience.

For me, I already did the research before children and I had full confidence in the profession of chiropractic to allow my baby boys new bodies to relax and begin to operate perfectly.  I had tremendous luck in getting them adjusted a few times their first weeks of life and it made all the difference in the world!  Here are just a few things chiropractic care helped me with:

- pull me out of post-pardum depression

- colic

- with opening his jaw evenly on either side, so we could breastfeed properly.

- mastitis (when you milk-ducts get backed up)

- their sleeping more regularly

- brain function

- ear infections

The amazing touch of a skilled chiropractor as well as the nutritionally focused chiropractor, can really make those first few weeks tolerable and even enjoyable, so my suggestion is find a chiropractor in your area who is comfortable with pediatric treatments as well as one who is an internal medicine diplomate or nutrition diplomate, and begin seeing what a difference alignment can make in yours and your baby's life today!