Health Library

There is no such thing as too young or too old for chiropractic care. Chiropractic patients range in age from birth to old age. Regardless of age, vertebrae can become misaligned. When a vertebra becomes misaligned, it can cause pressure or irritation to nerves, leading them to malfunction. This process is known as a “subluxation.” For example, the birth process may cause trauma to the neck and spine. If left uncorrected, a vertebral subluxation may disturb the delicate spinal cord and nerves that control the infant’s muscles and organs. In some cases, an uncorrected subluxation may lead to a deformity of the spinal column. An early chiropractic checkup may detect subluxations while they are still easily correctable.

When should I start my child under chiropractic care?

Your child should have a chiropractic examination as soon after birth as possible. Spinal trauma to an infant’s or child’s spine can occur during the birth process and from various tumbles while learning to sit up or walk. A child’s spine grows almost 50% in length during the first year (the equivalent of a six-footer growing to nine feet in just 12 months!). This tremendous growth and development make continued chiropractic examinations crucial in the early stages of your child’s life.

In chiropractic, we believe it’s much more important to prevent diseases than to wait until an illness occurs. Through regular adjustments, along with proper diet, exercise, and posture awareness, chiropractic can help you raise a child free of subluxations, with a body that is structurally and functionally sound. Your child will also learn good health habits at an early age, which can be highly beneficial in adulthood.

Children often experience numerous accidents and falls while learning to walk, riding a bike, or even while jumping and running around. But after their tears have dried, underlying injuries, such as a subluxation, could go undetected during the spine’s most formative period. Regular chiropractic spinal exams can provide corrective and preventive care for your son or daughter and peace of mind for you.

It is especially important to have your child under chiropractic care when participating in athletic activities. The “sack” of a young quarterback could twist a young spine, or a softball pitcher could throw a vertebra out of alignment. Chiropractic can do more than correct these problems—it can also help improve performance on and off the field by helping the body function at its optimum level, naturally, without stress and without drugs.

How effective is chiropractic care for children?

Doctors of chiropractic have been providing safe and effective care for children for nearly 100 years. Several published studies conducted by researchers in Germany, Australia, Denmark, and the United States confirm the effectiveness of chiropractic for a variety of childhood illnesses. The scientific evidence supporting chiropractic care continues to grow every day.