Bentonville Chiropractor can help alleviate your child’s discomfort and improve their sleep, behavior, learning, and overall emotional wellbeing. They’ll work with you and your child to create a care plan that supports their health goals.
For example, chiropractic can ease symptoms of colic, a prolonged period of inconsolable crying in infants. It can also improve digestion and strengthen your child’s immune system.
1. It’s Safe
Alternative medicine refers to mind-body therapies, nutritional approaches, body-based practices and whole medical systems that are typically safer and less invasive than conventional treatments. It isn’t uncommon for parents to seek alternative care for their children, particularly if traditional treatments haven’t proven successful or they are concerned about side effects. While many families don’t spontaneously disclose their decision to use an alternative therapy, research indicates that at least some of them do (14).
While chiropractors are trained in a broad spectrum of manual skills, a good number of hours are dedicated to pediatrics. In fact, a survey of 1200 chiropractors in Canada found that almost all of them treated children and that most felt that their training was adequate to treat them (12).
When performing spinal adjustments, chiropractors are highly skilled at working gently and thoroughly. A chiropractic adjustment is designed to restore the proper position and motion of the spine, and to improve nervous system function. A properly aligned spine can help reduce stress on the nervous system, improve posture and relieve symptoms of common childhood conditions.
Children often experience back pain due to physical activities, minor falls and the way they sit or sleep. A spinal misalignment can also cause a noticeable change in posture, such as a hunchback or slouched shoulders. A chiropractic adjustment can relieve this discomfort, improving your child’s ability to move, play and sleep comfortably.
The birthing process itself can create the first stresses on an infant’s spine and nervous system. Regular chiropractic evaluations and adjustments can identify these issues early, reducing the risk of future problems. Additionally, chiropractic treatment can help children reach developmental milestones like sitting, crawling and walking.
Many parents also turn to chiropractors for digestive and gastrointestinal issues. Colic, a condition that results in prolonged periods of inconsolable crying in babies, is often attributed to gastrointestinal discomfort or neurological irritation. A gentle chiropractic adjustment to the neck and spine can improve digestion by releasing trapped gas and encouraging better blood flow to the intestines, allowing them to function more normally. These types of natural treatments are much more effective and less invasive than pharmaceutical medications (54).
2. It’s Effective
In addition to addressing spinal misalignments, pediatric chiropractic also works with children as they grow up. It helps them to be healthier, more flexible and able to handle physical stresses on their bodies. It can improve their posture and make them more resilient against illness, especially allergies, colds, ear infections and asthma.
In a recent study, a group of chiropractors surveyed their patients to assess the safety and effectiveness of chiropractic care for children. They used a Delphi consensus process and received responses from approximately ninety chiropractors and parents who had seen a chiropractic specialist for a pediatric condition ranging from birth to adolescence.
It’s not uncommon for kids to suffer from spinal misalignments and other musculoskeletal problems. Whether they experience them from poor posture, falls, sports injuries or other traumas, these issues can interfere with the nervous system and cause lasting health problems. Fortunately, chiropractors specialize in assessing and correcting these issues, so they can quickly help restore healthy function.
Infants may be particularly prone to spinal nerve stress because of the stressful process of birthing, which can lead to small traumatic injuries in their necks and backs. These can go unnoticed and could eventually affect their growth, development and immune system. A pediatric chiropractor can identify these injuries and address them early on to prevent future complications.
As they get older, many children experience physical stresses on their bodies from things like playing sports or even just carrying backpacks. These can lead to spinal and joint misalignments called subluxations. A pediatric chiropractor can adjust these issues to improve the nervous system’s communication with the rest of the body and secure proper spinal growth.
Regular visits can also improve digestion in kids by ensuring that their spine is in alignment. This can help them avoid digestive issues such as constipation, reflux and stomach pain.
The benefits of pediatric chiropractic are far-reaching and can help your child to live a longer, happier life. If you are interested in learning more about how this natural approach to wellness can benefit your family, contact our team today. We are happy to answer your questions and help you set up an appointment.
3. It’s Non-Invasive
Pediatric chiropractic care uses gentle spinal manipulation to realign the vertebrae. The spine carries messages between the brain and all other parts of the body to coordinate movement (including walking). Regular adjustments allow your child’s nervous system to work more efficiently, and some parents report positive changes in behavior, concentration and sleep habits.
A chiropractor can help re-align the spine and relieve symptoms such as pain, constipation, bed wetting, ear infections and sleeping difficulties. In addition, chiropractic adjustments can improve digestion and encourage a healthier immune system.
Children may experience spinal misalignments due to daily activities, sports injuries and even how they sit, sleep or walk. These misalignments can cause pain, discomfort and a lack of balance in their growing bodies. Regular pediatric chiropractic care can alleviate these issues and help your child move more freely, sleep better and have a healthy immune system.
Some specific conditions a pediatric chiropractor can treat include:
Many studies on spinal manipulation and infants and children have been conducted. Generally, these studies have been found to be safe and effective. Moreover, these studies have found that the likelihood of severe harm is very low for most children.
4. It’s Affordable
While it’s normal for children to have bumps and scrapes on a weekly basis, some injuries may be more significant. Chiropractors specialize in making sure the spine and wider musculoskeletal system are properly aligned, which can help prevent injury. In addition, chiropractors often recommend exercises and stretches that can improve the overall health of your child.
Chiropractic treatment can also address a variety of behavioral issues in children, including anxiety and depression. These conditions can be caused by physical stressors, such as spinal misalignments or unbalanced diets. Chiropractic adjustments can improve mental well-being by releasing tension in the body and promoting healthy living habits.
In addition to helping improve a child’s mental health, pediatric chiropractic care can alleviate sleep disorders, such as insomnia and bedwetting. These sleeping problems are commonly linked to physical discomfort, such as a stiff neck or chronically sore muscles. Pediatric chiropractic treatments can address these symptoms by adjusting the spine and eliminating pressure on bones, joints, and nerves in the body.
Many families struggle with balancing the cost of healthcare, especially when it comes to pediatric care. However, finding a pediatric chiropractor who is affordable shouldn’t be difficult. You can search for a local practitioner through the internet or ask your family doctor to refer you to one. In addition, you can use a health savings account or flexible spending account to pay for treatments. You can also find a community clinic that offers financial assistance or seek out charity care programs.
Babies are particularly susceptible to spinal misalignments, which can cause colic and difficulty latching or breastfeeding. These issues can be frustrating and exhausting for parents, but chiropractic treatments can improve digestion and relieve gastrointestinal pain, which is typically the cause of these issues.
In addition, chiropractic adjustments can improve a baby’s neural development by removing pressure on the nervous system and increasing blood flow to the brain. This results in a calmer and more focused child. Ultimately, pediatric chiropractic treatment is safe and effective for children of all ages. It can help them live happier, healthier lives and achieve their full potential.