Chiropractic Care for Infants and Children

We get asked if and how chiropractic can help infants and children quite frequently. 

To answer the question, yes, chiropractic really does help infants and children in lots of different ways!  We see infants and children all the time in the clinic. In fact, we even highly recommend that pregnant moms receive regular chiropractic care so that both the mom and the baby can have the healthiest and most comfortable pregnancy and delivery possible.

Infants and children are similar to adults in that their nervous system and spine works the same way an adult nervous system and spine works. The nervous system essentially runs your body, and the bones of your spine are designed to protect your central nervous system. Stress, tension, and injury (and just think of how often toddlers and children fall), throw those bones out of alignment. When those bones are out of alignment, the nervous system gets irritated. Since the nervous system controls your body, it is important that these misalignments get fixed so that your infant or child can develop and grow properly. 

Birth, in and of itself, is considered by many to be one of the most traumatic physical experiences we endure (thankfully we do not remember it)! Consider what happens to a baby who is in the birth canal for hours and hours. The amount of pressure that builds up on their neck and spine is significant. That is why many people bring their babies in to get adjusted soon after they are born so that this tension can be released, and their little spines can be put back into alignment.

As well as seeing brand new infants, we also see babies and children for things like gas issues, reflux, nursing problems, sleep issues, ear aches, and colic among many other things. Having two children under the age of three myself, I know how frustrating and tiring it can be when a child is crying and mad for an unknown reason. While we do not claim to cure any of these conditions, we help alleviate these issues to the best of our ability so that baby and mom and dad are all more rested and happy.

Additionally, we can help resolve gross motor developmental issues like uncoordinated crawling or walking. We see infants and children who struggle with behavioral issues, meltdowns, or anxiety because a lot of these issues can be minimized with nutritional changes and regular adjustments. We also treat headaches and common growing pains. 

Again, while we do not claim to cure all of these issues, chiropractic care can help everyday quality-of-life issues that plague many families. There is a lot more stress and anxiety in kids’ lives, especially in the world we live in today. As a chiropractor, the adjustments I do can greatly improve the quality of life for both the parents and the child. Taking this conservative approach to health care is particularly important for kids. We focus on adequate nutrition, sleep, physical activity, as well as spinal alignment. 

How Chiropractic Can Help Babies and Children

There is so much that goes into raising a healthy child. Babies and children go through an incredible amount of physical, cognitive, and social/emotional changes as they develop over the years. Many people might not realize that the spine is the first thing that is developed in the womb, and as a result, it controls the entire nervous system. Making sure your child’s spinal cord is properly aligned and healthy can benefit your child in many ways.

Chiropractic can help your child before they are even born. There are many benefits to getting chiropractic care during pregnancy. In addition to relieving back pain that often comes with carrying a baby, chiropractic adjustments can help achieve optimal alignment and stability in the pelvis and uterus. This can help with round ligament pain and uterine torsion while making more room for the baby to move around and get in the optimal position for labor and delivery.

After a little one arrives, chiropractic care can also help with a variety of things. Being born is the most traumatic event our bodies will likely go through, and seeking out chiropractic care soon after delivery can help the baby restore optimal spinal and nervous system function. Think of how much stress a baby’s head, spine, and body go through as they travel through the birth canal. Chiropractic care can help relieve some of the stress from that experience.

In addition to this, chiropractic care can help with colic, difficulty breastfeeding, reflux, stiffness, constipation or gas pains, in addition to a wide variety of other issues newborns may face. Dr. Redenius uses gentle adjusting techniques to treat subluxations that may be hindering your child from optimal health.

As a child grows and develops, chiropractic care can help with ear infections, congestion, difficulty sleeping, balance/coordination, hyperactivity, bedwetting, anxiety, headaches or migraines, sports performance, as well as many other issues. Chiropractic care can also simply help improve posture and overall health. 

Many parents do not realize that chiropractic can help alleviate or resolve more issues than simple back pain. Supporting the delicate fibers of your child’s nervous system through chiropractic care can help ensure proper growth and development, healing, immune function, digestion, and healthy living. 

Chiropractic Care for Student Athletes

 The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) recently released the statistic that the number of students who participate in high school sports is on the rise. For the first time, the number of student-athletes topped the 7.8 million mark last year. Undoubtedly, it’s great that kids are more active out on the court and in the field, but with all that activity, there comes, of course, the risk of injury.

Proactive vs. Reactive Child Care

As we have mentioned in previous blog postings, in the United States, we’re often reactive when it comes to our healthcare. By this, we mean we will go to the doctor after we get a head cold or after we have sprained an ankle. One of our main goals at Redenius Chiropractic is to show people the incredible benefits of proactive and preventative healthcare. We encourage community members to begin care before you experience pain—the last “signal” your body gives you when something is wrong. We highly recommend chiropractic care for children of all ages—but especially children who are active in sports.

How to Spot an Injury or Weakness Before it’s a Problem

The chiropractic care that Dr. Redenius offers is a great tool for preventing long-term health issues, which is why it’s critical kids are seen throughout the season, not just after an injury. Because children are so young, they tend to “bounce back” quickly from an injury. However, because of this, it is often times difficult to spot an injury in a child and it can remain unseen. It can sometimes take years before serious conditions like bone spurs or degeneration occurs as a result of an injury. Dr. Redenius can spot these things early on, though, and this is why we encourage regular check-ups and visits—especially during athletic seasons.

Post-Injury Care

If the unfortunate event of an injury does occur, Dr. Redenius can help get your child on the road to recovery quickly and safely. While completing his undergraduate and graduate degrees, Dr. Redenius had the opportunity to serve as the head athletic trainer for teams ranging from women’s tennis to men’s rugby. He has seen and treated just about every injury in the book, and Redenius Chiropractic is equipped with the tools necessary to get you on the road to recovery as quickly as possible. If you do come in with an injury, Dr. Redenius will first evaluate you before coming up with a treatment plan or referring you to a specialist if needed.

As you and your family members gear up for the continuation of fall sports, find some time to visit your chiropractor for a spinal evaluation, and keep up with your treatment throughout the season and beyond. Your body is your biggest and best asset, and you will not be able to be active and healthy if you are injured!

Have a great week!

Dr. Jeff and Jenny Redenius