Many people first see a chiropractor in adulthood after experiencing pain from a back injury. Ideally, chiropractic care should focus on prevention as well as treatment. Children and teens are growing fast, and their spines go through a lot, making them prime candidates for preventative spinal adjustment. Here are seven holistic benefits of chiropractic care for kids and teens.
1. Pain Doesn’t Care How Old You Are
Adults are more prone to certain types of strains and injuries than kids (mostly because we tend to be less flexible), but kids can hurt too. Young children may have trouble expressing or describing their pain. If their back or shoulder hurts, the discomfort may manifest as behavioral problems or trouble focusing in school.
Hunching over a desk in school, roughhousing on the playground, or learning to walk are all hard on a child’s spine. The slightest bump can throw their vertebrae out of alignment, and postural problems can cause subluxations and muscle strain. Some kids may experience pain due to congenital foot problems or scoliosis. It’s important to see a chiropractor and get these things diagnosed while a child is still young and growing. Routine subluxations and many other problems can be addressed easier in a child than in an adult. Regular chiropractic visits can keep subluxations from accumulating and causing developmental problems or chronic pain later in life.
2. Asthma, Allergies, and Earaches
The spinal cord runs through the vertebrae and can be affected by vertebral alignment. Adjusting the vertebrae in the neck where the nerves that control Eustachian tube function are is proven to reduce earaches in infants and young children. This adjustment helps the nerves function as they should to open the Eustachian tubes and allow them to drain, preventing bacterial growth.
Subluxations in the middle back, also known as the thoracic spine, can cause or worsen breathing problems, including asthma. Many kids with severe asthma notice a significant improvement in symptoms after being adjusted. The immune system is also affected by nervous function and can be improved with regular adjustments. Strengthening the immune system can lead to reduced allergy symptoms. The combination of direct action on the nerves that affect breathing and fewer allergies is a powerful treatment for kids who suffer from asthma worsened by allergens.
3. Digestive Issues
If your child complains of frequent stomach aches or other digestive problems, an adjustment could help. Nerves in the lower and middle back affect digestive function and can become impaired from a spinal subluxation.
Sometimes chronic stomach issues in children are a physical manifestation of anxiety. Since spinal adjustment helps the nervous system function optimally, it can ease anxiety and depression symptoms. Along with counseling, spinal adjustment can help kids with tummy aches and other symptoms caused by stress and anxiety.
4. Better Focus in School
Many parents have noticed that their children’s focus and behavior improve after an adjustment. This may be because of the positive effect it has on the nervous system. In addition to helping kids feel calmer and focused, adjustment can also improve posture and ease pain and stiffness. It’s easier for kids to sit still and focus in school when they can sit with a healthy posture and are pain-free.
5. Improved Core Fitness
Like adults, kids often sit more than is good for them. This can lead to weak core muscle development. Core muscles are the muscle groups located around your spine and abdomen. They play an important role in balance, coordination, and spinal support. They also hold internal organs in place, and some studies indicate that a stronger core is associated with better mental health. Long story short, core muscles are important, especially for kids who are developing coordination and motor skills. Signs of a weak core in children include:
- Slumped or slouched posture
- Difficulty sitting still
- Difficulty concentrating
- Tendency to hold their head up with their hand
- Difficulty with fine motor skills like holding a pencil or doing up buttons
- Difficulty with large motor skills like riding a bike or keeping their balance
A chiropractor can screen your child for these issues and help you address them. In-office and at-home treatments can help your child strengthen their core and prevent developmental problems.
6. Improved sleep
Kids need lots of sleep for healthy physical and mental development. When children have trouble sleeping, it can cause stress for everyone in the family. Chiropractic care can remove subluxations that are causing bedwetting and other nocturnal disturbances. Since the brain and nervous system are responsible for our sleep patterns, keeping the nervous system healthy is key to a good night’s sleep. Sore or stiff muscles may also interfere with a child’s sleep, and they may not be able to communicate this to their parents. Preventative chiropractic appointments can keep this from happening.
7. Nursing and Colic in Newborns
Two of the most stressful problems for new moms are trouble with breastfeeding and colic. A colicky baby may cry for hours on end, leaving parents feeling helpless. Colic is often caused by gas pains or other discomforts that are difficult to identify. Spinal adjustment often helps by fixing subluxations and regulating the nervous system.
Subluxations in your infant’s upper back or neck can lead to trouble with latching and breastfeeding. The American Pregnancy Association recommends chiropractic adjustment as a safe and effective treatment for this problem.
Your baby’s delicate spine can become misaligned during delivery, causing various stressful problems like colic, breastfeeding difficulties, and trouble sleeping. Chiropractors use gentle methods to realign your infant’s spine so they can feel better.
Chiropractic Care for Kids and Teens in Tennessee
At Stanlick Chiropractic, we offer chiropractic care to all ages, including infants, kids, and teens. We provide safe and effective treatments for common pediatric complaints in a kid-friendly environment. Bring your child in for a consultation to see how we can help your family feel their best in 2022.