Summary:
Is Chiropractic Care Safe for Children?
Research consistently shows that serious adverse events in infants and children receiving chiropractic care are rare, with no deaths reported in the medical literature. Unlike the high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust manipulations used with adults, most techniques used in pediatric patients are gentle, low-force, and appear to be safe.
Records from insurance and court cases have constantly shown that chiropractic is the safest portal of entry healthcare available to the public today, with a safety and effectiveness record unmatched in healthcare. When you understand that pediatric techniques are specifically designed for children’s developing bodies, the safety picture becomes even clearer.
How Pediatric Chiropractic Techniques Differ from Adult Care
The biggest difference between adult and pediatric chiropractic care lies in the gentle approach we use for children. Pediatric chiropractic adjustments are very gentle and tailored to their physical build, as it doesn’t take much force to adjust infants. The pressure we use during infant chiropractic adjustments is extremely light, often compared to the gentle touch you would use to check the ripeness of a tomato.
We are passionate about caring for children, getting on their level to explain what we’re doing, making sure they understand they won’t be hurt and keeping them involved in their care. Many parents are surprised to learn that it’s common for children to fall asleep after treatment as they are much more relaxed, which means the alignment likely made them feel better.
The examination process is also different. We are capable of working with children who are not able to communicate pain or are too shy to do so. This specialized training helps us identify issues that might otherwise go unnoticed, addressing them before they become bigger problems.
We use age-appropriate communication and techniques specifically designed for your child’s size and developmental stage. We carefully monitor your baby’s response to treatment and make any necessary modifications to ensure safety and effectiveness. This individualized approach ensures your child receives exactly the type of care they need.
What Research Shows About Safety Statistics
The biggest difference between adult and pediatric chiropractic care lies in the gentle approach we use for children. Pediatric chiropractic adjustments are very gentle and tailored to their physical build, as it doesn’t take much force to adjust infants. The pressure we use during infant chiropractic adjustments is extremely light, often compared to the gentle touch you would use to check the ripeness of a tomato.
We are passionate about caring for children, getting on their level to explain what we’re doing, making sure they understand they won’t be hurt and keeping them involved in their care. Many parents are surprised to learn that it’s common for children to fall asleep after treatment as they are much more relaxed, which means the alignment likely made them feel better.
The examination process is also different. We are capable of working with children who are not able to communicate pain or are too shy to do so. This specialized training helps us identify issues that might otherwise go unnoticed, addressing them before they become bigger problems.
We use age-appropriate communication and techniques specifically designed for your child’s size and developmental stage. We carefully monitor your baby’s response to treatment and make any necessary modifications to ensure safety and effectiveness. This individualized approach ensures your child receives exactly the type of care they need.
What Conditions Can Chiropractic Care Help Treat in Children?
Many parents are surprised to learn how many childhood conditions may respond to chiropractic care. The primary reason for chiropractic care of children is “wellness care,” though musculoskeletal conditions are the most common condition-based presentations, in addition to nonmusculoskeletal conditions of childhood.
The subluxation can be a factor in the development of many common childhood conditions. Understanding which conditions commonly respond to care can help you determine if chiropractic might be right for your child.
Birth Trauma and Early Developmental Issues
When we say “youngest,” we really mean it – subluxation can occur in the body from birth, with passage through the birth canal subjecting the newborn’s neck, back and shoulders to considerable stress, but careful, gentle adjustments can correct these physical imbalances so your infant can experience every opportunity for normal growth and development right from the beginning.
Research examining 1,250 babies (born naturally and cesarean) within 5 days after birth found that 95% of their spines were misaligned, as the birthing process is very traumatic not only for the mother but also for the newborn. An estimated 60-90 pounds of force are applied to a newborn’s neck during the birthing process, and failure to identify and correct these issues will inevitably hinder the development of the child in varying degrees.
One of the most common conditions we see in newborns is torticollis, where the baby’s head tilts to one side. Within a period of 4 weeks (3 chiropractic treatments) torticollis was nearly resolved and abnormal fixation of the right eye was no longer apparent, with no relapse of the symptomatology observed at follow-up, showing the patient responded favorably to chiropractic care with a possible mechanical spinal cause.
In documented cases, a 3-month-old baby boy brought to the chiropractor suffering from incessant crying and torticollis showed complete resolution of both colic and torticollis after just four visits, completely changing the demeanor and character of this child and illustrating the positive effect of chiropractic on both the child and parents’ lives.
Sleep issues are another area where chiropractic care can help. One case involved a baby who wasn’t sleeping more than an hour at a time over three months, but after a single adjustment, the baby slept for six hours and had a bowel movement, showing how the baby’s body feels instantly relaxed when properly aligned.
Ear Infections and Respiratory Issues
Ear infections are incredibly common, with 80% of kids having at least one ear infection by the time they turn 3, and they’re the most common reason for pediatrician visits, with almost half of all children experiencing at least one ear infection by age three.
A cohort study in Minneapolis took 46 children under the age of 5 and treated them with chiropractic for their ear infections, with treatments starting at three times per week, and after three weeks, 93% of cases were improved enough that there was no fever present, no ear pain, and the children were completely asymptomatic, concluding that chiropractic care and limited medical intervention can decrease the symptoms of ear infections in young children.
Research published by Dr. Joan Fallon shows that after receiving a series of chiropractic adjustments, nearly 80 percent of children treated were free of ear infections for at least the six-month period following their initial visits, as chiropractic mobilizes drainage of the ear in children, and if they can continue to drain without a buildup of fluid and subsequent infection, they build up their own antibodies and recover more quickly.
The reason chiropractic can help with ear infections relates to drainage and nervous system function. We can treat ear infections with adjustments and soft tissue techniques, specifically focusing on the upper neck where many nerves that impact the function of the ear and auditory tube exit the base of the skull and pass by the first and second cervical spinal segments, so adjustments in this region can help restore proper function and drainage of the auditory tube and improve ear pain.
Some research shows benefits for respiratory conditions, with a 2013 review article finding that 6 of 8 studies showed some benefit from manual therapies in chronic respiratory illnesses such as asthma and cystic fibrosis. While more research is needed, many families report improvements in their children’s overall respiratory health with regular chiropractic care.
Making an Informed Decision About Chiropractic Care for Your Child
The safety record for pediatric chiropractic care is encouraging, especially when you work with qualified practitioners who specialize in treating children. Intercepting problems early is very important, as childhood problems could become lifelong adult conditions. Having your child’s spine checked early and often will provide them a clean slate and interference-free nervous system to develop and heal without the use of drugs and surgery.
Remember that every child is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. Clinical judgments in pediatric patients should be based on the three basic principles of evidence-based practice: the best available evidence, combined with the clinician’s experience and the patient’s preferences.
If you’re considering chiropractic care for your child in Grand Rapids, MI, we at Chiropractic First offer gentle, specialized pediatric care with over 25 years of experience helping families achieve better health naturally.
