Growing children who go to school are often faced with different physical strains that can affect their bodies negatively and may worsen once they reach adulthood. Because of this, it is a good idea to visit a child chiropractor to identify the effects of these physical strains and to correct any problems as early as possible.
Pediatric chiropractic care is starting to gain popularity as the need for alternative medicine is starting to gain traction. If you are new to chiropractic care and what a child chiropractor does, think of it this way: chiropractic care is a non-invasive diagnosis and treatment of disorders in the muscular and skeletal systems.
There is no age limit when it comes to seeking chiropractic care, but chiropractors for children have specialized knowledge in dealing with the juvenile muscles and tissues of children. However, one of the few questions some parents may have is: is it safe to take a child to a chiropractor? Let’s find out.
When Should You See Chiropractors For Children?
Whether your child enjoys outdoor physical activities or lives a sedentary lifestyle (watching too much TV, unhealthy diet, and too much computer games), more often than not, he/she may have started to experience physical pain.
Here are the tell-tale signs that your child needs to have an appointment with chiropractors for kids:
1. Constant Neck and Back Pain
Neck and back pains are not commonly associated with kids. After all, they have not done any strenuous physical activities yet.
On the contrary, children are also prone to neck and back pain, especially when they are physically active in school or in extracurricular activities that involve carrying heavy materials or slouching in front of a computer.
Another factor for children having intense neck and back pain might be obesity. If your child is gaining weight and lives a sedentary lifestyle, they may be susceptible to the dangers of obesity, which include neck and back pain.
Lastly, if your child carries their school books through a backpack, the constant weight can put a strain on their back.
2. Limited Neck and Head Mobility
Tension-type headaches can also affect children and will usually manifest as the inability to move the head and neck. Although tension-type headaches are quite common, the causes vary and are often unknown.
3. Uneven Shoulders
Sometimes, when children get injured, it leaves semi-permanent damages to their physical bodies. This is quite common, especially when the affected area is the shoulders.
Uneven shoulders are more common than you think and can be fixed with the right technique. Uneven shoulders in children are primarily caused by a sedentary lifestyle. If your child rarely does any physical activities or exhibits poor posture, it can lead to uneven shoulders. However, in some cases, uneven shoulders are a sign of scoliosis. Consult a doctor once your child exhibits uneven shoulders.
Is It Safe to Take a Child to a Chiropractor?
The answer is a definite yes. There are plenty of reasons to seek chiropractic help.
For children, a child chiropractor can help in identifying common problems with the musculoskeletal system and give proper diagnoses to such problems. If this is your first time seeking chiropractors for children, here are some answers to the question: is it safe for a child to go to a chiropractor?
1. Maximizes a Child’s Neural Development
Since the spine plays a major role in both the physical and mental development of a child, a regular visit to a chiropractor can be advantageous in making sure that the connection between the brain and the spine is in good condition.
Visiting a chiropractor for kids can ensure that your child’s central nervous system is working properly.
2. Strengthens a Child’s Immunity
Similar to chiropractic services for adults, a child chiropractor can perform chiropractic techniques that can ensure a healthy and strong immune system.
When the spine is misaligned, the communication between neurons in the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system becomes problematic. This miscommunication can cause a lot of trouble within the body, including the weakening of the immune system.
3. Helps Resolve Colic
For new parents or those who are curious about an infant’s health, colic is the term used to refer to a phenomenon when an infant cries for a long period of time. Although there are no solid causes, experts believe that it is due to the infant having difficulty in adjusting to the environment. To determine if your child is experiencing colic, look out for the following symptoms:
- Burping or letting out too much gas
- Reddening or flushed face
- Having a tight belly
- Legs curl upward towards the belly when crying
- Clenched fists while crying
A child chiropractor can help ease colic by giving gentle soft-tissue massages to your baby. The massages help soothe the nerves and calm an infant.
4. Improves Spinal Posture
If your child is showing signs of bad posture, it is best to seek a child chiropractor’s help immediately for correction.
Chiropractors for kids can also diagnose if there are more serious spinal issues. Soft-tissue massages can also relax the back muscles in case the bad posture is brought by a sedentary lifestyle.
5. Improves Sleep
Poor spinal health can lead to back pains which can cause distress and discomfort among children.
A child chiropractor can ease the discomfort by giving chiropractic treatments to a misaligned spine to ensure a good night’s sleep and healthy overall development.
Now that we’ve answered the question, is it safe for a child to go to a chiropractor? You might want to consider getting a consultation with one in case you see any of the problems mentioned in your child.
How Often Should a Child See a Chiropractor?
Depending on the diagnosis given by a child chiropractor and depending on the situation, a child can visit a chiropractor at least twice a month. This will give the chiropractors for kids enough time to see results and analyze the changes that have happened in between treatments. It is best to communicate with the chiropractic doctor as well regarding the right schedule on how often should a child see a chiropractor.
Chiropractic treatments often produce varying results depending on the patient. This is one of the advantages of seeking the help of a chiropractor for kids because you can be sure that the treatment is personalized and fits the situation of your child.
As children enter the most physically active years of their life, it is best to take note of the changes in their lifestyle and how they directly affect their bodies. Too much physical strain can definitely be harmful to the spine and the nervous system. At the first sign of muscular and skeletal pain, consult a chiropractor for children immediately.
Advanced Chiropractic Group Can Help You With Your Child’s Muscular and Skeletal Issues
If you are in need of child chiropractors in Largo, FL, Advanced Chiropractic Group (ACG) is here for you. At ACG, we can connect you to a professional child chiropractor to tend to your child’s musculoskeletal health.
Need advice on muscular treatments? Call us now and let us talk about it!
