What about Chiropractic for Kids?

Chiropractic is a holistic health care approach that focusses on the body's natural ability to heal. For children, this means non-invasive treatments that support their development without the need for medication.

At Equilibrium Family Wellness, our highly skilled chiropractor uses gentle techniques suitable for growing bodies.

What is Chiropractic for Kids?

Chiropractic for kids relates to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of musculoskeletal and nervous system disorders in children. It involves gentle adjustments to the spine and other parts of the body to promote optimal alignment and function.

Depending on individual circumstances, treatment may include gentle spinal and pelvic adjustments, soft tissue therapy, Sacro-Occipital-Technique (SOT), and more.

And because chiropractic care is proactive – it’s all about early detection and prevention. So, while it addresses common childhood health issues as they arise, it may also help prevent injuries (1) and enhance overall wellbeing!

How Do I Know if my Child should see a Chiropractor?

If your child is experiencing back, neck or shoulder pain, headaches, nerve issues, or a sports injury, it could be worth making an appointment.

What Sort of Issues does your Chiropractor commonly see?

From infancy to adolescence, here are some of the most common reasons we might provide chiropractic for children:

Babies and Toddlers

Did you know, even babies may receive chiropractic treatment? Of course the techniques will be adjusted to suit, more like a very gentle massage or touch of the hand than anything strenuous!

Colic (defined as regular, unexplained crying for at least three hours) affects up to 1 in 5 babies and can be incredibly distressing for both baby and parents. Research supports that colicky babies may benefit from gentle vibratory chiropractic treatment (2), which aims to rebalance the body’s balance system and associated digestive issues.

Chiropractic care for babies and toddlers may also be effective in helping alleviate:

• Sleep issues (3)
• Feeding problems (3)
• Infant pain (3)
• Failure to thrive (4)
• As well as improve maternal depression, anxiety, and satisfaction as a result! (3)

School-Age Children

As children grow, posture problems, pain, or headaches caused by things like heavy backpacks and hunching over electronic devices (often referred to as text neck) may lead to parents booking a chiropractic appointment.

Scoliosis is a progressive, lateral curvature of the spine, and it’s a common childhood condition characterised by poor posture, shoulder humping, muscle weakness, and pain. Fortunately, at Equilibrium Family Wellness, our experienced chiropractor provides adjustments, exercises, and lifestyle modification guidance to help realign your child’s spine and alleviate symptoms.

There is growing evidence to support that regular chiropractic care may help manage the symptoms of:

• Scoliosis and Posture problems (5)
• Text neck (6)
• Frequent headaches and migraines (7)
• Back pain (8)

Teens

The teen years bring their own challenges.

Active teens involved in sports are prone to injuries like sprains, strains, and joint pain.

But even for those not interested in sports, the pressures of school, social life, and future planning may lead to stress-related problems.

Research has found chiropractic care assists children and teens with:

• Injury recovery and prevention (1)
• Relieving stress and anxiety (9).

What Can We Expect in an Appointment?

Our chiropractor will review your child’s health history, discuss the specific problem, and conduct a thorough examination including X-rays if required. From here, we create a personalised treatment plan to provide a natural and holistic solution to your child’s concerns.

We recommend regular chiropractic visits to ensure your child’s optimum spine health and wellbeing. If you have any concerns at all, we’d love to assist. Book a consultation today at our Brisbane chiropractic clinic!

References:

1.     https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1556370722001249

2.     https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2021.668457/full?trk=article-ssr-frontend-pulse_x-social-details_comments-action_comment-text

3.     https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0161475418301453

4.     https://jccponline.com/Overschie-Vol17-02.html

5.     https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jpts/28/4/28_jpts-2015-1012/_article/-char/ja/

6.     https://jassalexu.journals.ekb.eg/article_145787.html

7.     https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12998-020-00360-3

8.     https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0161475402541245

9.     https://jccponline.com/JCCP20--01.pdf#page=15