Children and Chiropractic
One of the most enjoyable parts of coming to the office every day and being a chiropractor in Harrisburg, PA is having the chance to help so many different types of people. It is this process that makes me so excited to open the door in the morning. Furthermore, the children that I encounter seem to have some of the most positive energy in my practice! I am blessed to serve both newborn children, youth and adults. In today’s discussion, I would like to share with you some of the reasons that pediatric (youth/child) care is a vital part of a young person’s life and how they can exhibit the positive effects of a chiropractic adjustment.
People Ask Me
People often ask me; “Why would a child need a chiropractic examination and adjustment?” The notion of adjusting a child’s spine may seem complicated to many of you and I would like to answer this seemingly complicated question with some data, case studies and simplicity.
Positioning of First Vertebrae
One of the most important alignment procedures with newly born children could be the positioning of the first cervical vertebrae, commonly referred to as C1. This critical bone structure should be carefully analyzed for any positional problems that may easily arise from the various traumas of a birthing procedure. If left unaltered, the malposition of the C1 bone could cause potential issues during the critical development stage of a child.
For example; the basic way by which a newborn latches to his/her mother for feeding was found to be problematic in a recent case study where a 13-day-old male presented for chiropractic care. In this case, the baby was found to have torticollis and cranial distortion. As such, the child would not latch to the mother for the vital nutrients he needed for the early stage of development. A visit to his pediatrician for a regularly scheduled check-up proved non-beneficial. The baby was then cared for using a gentle touch-and-hold, Diversified Technique, and the Webster Coronal Suture Technique by the chiropractor for a duration of seven visits over a six week period with symptomatic resolution. This case report provides supporting evidence that infants born with muscular torticollis, cranial distortion and difficulty breastfeeding may benefit from chiropractic care.[1]
From Newborns To Young Children
As newborns transition into young children, they will find new ways of exploring their environment. With this comes falls, bumps, bruises and the occasional broken bone. While we all wish this would not take place, the growing child loves to enjoy all of his/her surroundings. From a chiropractic perspective, I have noticed some children experience trouble after longstanding spinal misalignments (subluxations) are left uncorrected. Results of a subluxation could be; joint disfunction, pain and fatigue. These simple adjustments only take a few minutes of time and are very simple to do with a child.
From a case study a couple years ago; An 8-year-old girl presented for chiropractic care with neck pain and cervicogenic headaches. According to the patient’s mother, her daughter reported her headaches and neck pain had been going on for four months with approximately two episodes per week. Medical examinations were inconclusive with recommendation of Tylenol.
Not wanting to subject their daughter to the effects of medications or masking the symptoms of a subluxation, the parents presented the young girl for a chiropractic evaluation. The patient was cared for with spinal adjustments characterized as high velocity, low amplitude thrusts to sites of vertebral subluxations at the upper and middle cervical spine along with trigger point therapy at the upper trapezius muscles. Following just 4 visits, the patient’s neck pain and headaches resolved. This case report provides supporting evidence on the effectiveness of chiropractic care in children suffering from neck pain and cervicogenic headaches. [2]
I would encourage you to consider having your youth checked out for these spinal misalignments. Maybe they can achieve similar benefits like the children in the case studies right here in my office.
In Health,
Loren Barisch, D.C.
[1] Resolution of Torticollis, Breastfeeding Difficulties & Cranial Distortion in a Twin Infant Undergoing Chiropractic Care for Vertebral Subluxation: A Case Report & Review of the Literature Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, Chiropractic ~ July 10, 2019 ~ Pages 78-81 Sarah Green, DC & Joel Alcantara, DC
[2] Resolution of Chronic Cervicogenic Headache & Cervicalgia in a Child Following Chiropractic Care Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic ~ Volume 2016 ~ Issue 1 ~ Pages 1-4; Darby Simmons-Stone D.C. & Joel Alcantara, D.C.
