Should My Child See A Chiropractor?
I have often been asked this question in the past concerning infants and children. Children can benefit greatly from chiropractic care. Studies have long demonstrated the positive effect that spinal corrections can have on various health conditions. Let me first explain the nervous system and its role in health. Your nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord and the nerves that exit the spine on both sides from the neck down to the low back. Spinal misalignments called subluxations can occur in the spine causing interference in the nervous system via the spinal nerves. Since your nervous system controls all functions in the body many problems can occur as a result of the altered nerve flow that comes from these subluxations.
I have often been asked this question in the past concerning infants and children. Children can benefit greatly from chiropractic care. Studies have long demonstrated the positive effect that spinal corrections can have on various health conditions. Let me first explain the nervous system and its role in health. Your nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord and the nerves that exit the spine on both sides from the neck down to the low back. Spinal misalignments called subluxations can occur in the spine causing interference in the nervous system via the spinal nerves. Since your nervous system controls all functions in the body many problems can occur as a result of the altered nerve flow that comes from these subluxations.
A chiropractor is professionally trained to detect and correct misalignments in the spine. By correcting these spinal misalignments the nerves can flow freely from the spine out to the body.
Why would my child have spinal misalignments or subluxations?
There are many different reasons why your child would have subluxations or spinal misalignments. One is due to the pulling and twisting they endured during the birthing process. The average OB/GYN weighs between 170 and 190 lbs. The average amount of force that is used to pull the infant during the birthing process is between 70 to 90 lbs. The average baby weighs 5 to 8 lbs. So it is not hard to imagine that this may sometimes cause problems. If the child was delivered as a result of a cesarean section this procedure can cause even more stress on the infant’s nervous system. Sometimes forceps are used as well.
I wish I could say that the birthing process is the only thing that can affect your child’s spine. This is not the case. Children run, jump and fall regularly throughout their development. There are also other traumas such as sports, auto accidents and carrying heavy book bags that can cause problems in the spine and should not be left untreated.
The spinal nerves that exit the spine in the neck area affect the immune system. If the immune system is compromised many health issues can occur including chronic colds and ear infections. Other conditions resulting from spinal misalignment include allergies, asthma, back pain, bed wetting, fever, headaches and sore throat.
What is the procedure to detect and correct misalignments in the spine?
Dr. Robinson will be able to conduct an examination on your child to evaluate them for spinal misalignment or subluxation. If a subluxation is found the chiropractor will perform what is caused an adjustment to correct the spinal misalignments found. An adjustment for a child will not be the same as it would be for an adult. For an infant or a small child, the adjustment consists of light pressure applied directly in the area of the subluxation.
Is the adjustment painful?
No, the adjustment is not a painful procedure. The pressure used to correct your child’s spinal misalignments or subluxations are about the same as the amount of pressure used to press a doorbell. So considering the activity level of most children there are many benefits to having your child checked for subluxation.