Top Myths About Chiropractic Care for Kids
Chiropractors often hear their patients ask common questions like “Is chiropractic care safe for kids?” and “Do kids need chiropractic care?” These are great questions, which will be discussed in today’s article. Like other health care, misinformation does exist and can influence parents and legal guardians’ decisions on whether to consider pediatric chiropractic care. This misinformation makes it difficult to determine what is true and what is false. We hope this article can dispel some common myths about chiropractic care for kids and help you decide if this holistic care is right for your child.
Myth: Chiropractic Care Isn’t Safe for Kids
This myth is usually due to people’s fear from not understanding what chiropractic care is and what it can do for people. A study conducted in 2015 found that there were no adverse side effects linked to pediatric chiropractic adjustments. When performed by a licensed chiropractor, chiropractic adjustments for children are safe, gentle, and effective.
As children grow, their bodies change. Chiropractors understand this and will adjust the child’s treatment plan based on their health needs and changes in their physiology and anatomy.
When children receive a chiropractic adjustment, it’s imperative to remember these adjustments don’t hurt. Some kids may be scared of the popping noise or quick movements that the chiropractor makes during the procedure. Some kids may cry due to a fear of strangers or unpleasant experiences with past doctors. Luckily, chiropractors are aware of these possibilities, which is why they take the time to sit down, meet the child, and discuss the child’s treatment plan before their first adjustment. When parents and legal guardians are less worried, this helps their child calm down too.
For those still unsure of chiropractic care, chiropractors encourage parents and legal guardians to contact their child’s primary health care provider. This provider will likely tell them that chiropractic is safe and beneficial for children. If a chiropractor determines that a child needs to see a different specialist for their specific health needs, they can refer the patient to the appropriate doctors.
Myth: Chiropractors Use the Same Techniques for Adults and Children
Despite this common belief, chiropractors continue to provide custom treatment plans for all of their patients based on their age and health needs. The type of adjustment needed for a child is based on their size and age, which will help ensure the chiropractor performs safe, effective spinal adjustments. In turn, this will help realign a child’s spine.
Before the age of six, a child’s spine is not fully hardened. Thus, chiropractors only need to use light pressure to restore a child’s spine or joints into alignment. Since only light pressure is needed, this means chiropractors place no more than around 2 pounds of pressure on the child’s undeveloped spine or joints. This will address and treat their health issues, as well as improve their spine or joint functionality.
Myth: Children Do Not Need Chiropractic Care
This couldn’t be further from the truth. Before a child turns three, they do not have the language skills to communicate their feelings of pain and discomfort. This makes it hard to tell if an infant or toddler has health concerns that could benefit from holistic care.
As kids get older, they will continue to test boundaries as they play and explore the world. This can lead to injuries. Chiropractic care can help restore the child’s spine back to proper alignment, which improves the child’s range of motion, helps them heal faster, and prevents future injuries.
Aside from common injuries, chiropractors are trained to notice other issues, such as a toddler that is slow to stand up or an infant that prefers to turn their head to one side. Since misalignments can happen at any age, it makes sense that children can benefit from chiropractic care too. Parents and legal guardians should remember that taking their child to a chiropractor doesn’t mean there is something wrong with them. Instead, taking their child to a chiropractor is a wise investment in their child’s health because the spine and nervous system will be working properly. In turn, this will make it easier for the child to maintain a healthy spine and nervous system that improves the brain to body communications, helps the body heal faster, and prevents future injuries. More importantly, chiropractic care can help set a child up for long lasting health and wellness.
Myth: Children Have to Reach a Certain Age for Chiropractic Care
This is yet another popular myth, in which adults think their children need to reach a certain age before chiropractic care becomes an option. However, there are no age restrictions for chiropractic care. Chiropractic is safe for all ages, from infants and toddlers to school-age children and teenagers, along with adults. Parents and legal guardians can take their child to a chiropractor, who will discuss treatment options and create a personalized plan based on their child’s age, size, and health needs. Chiropractic care helps children have an early start towards achieving optimal health. When the spine is properly aligned and the nervous system is working at its best, this offers countless benefits to the child regarding their mental and physical health, growth, development, and happiness.
Common Issues that Pediatric Chiropractic Treat:
- Allergies
- Breastfeeding issues
- Colic
- Digestive issues
- Irritability
- Pain
- Sleep issues
We hope you enjoyed this week’s latest article discussing common myths about chiropractic care for kids. It’s essential to find reliable, factual information about chiropractic care, which can be found on chiropractic websites, journals, and organizations, such as the ACA (American Chiropractic Association). If you are looking for chiropractic care for your child, contact Inside Out Chiropractic today. We would love to become your new Tulsa, OK chiropractor!
