Understanding the effectiveness of chiropractic for children

Chiropractic offers a golden opportunity for parents who are looking to provide their children with treatment that supports healthy bodily development and management of health conditions without the necessity for drugs. Many studies have found that chiropractic is a safe and effective form of natural medicine that supports the healthy development of the spine as well as treatment for symptoms including colic and chronic ear infections. But pediatric chiropractic is not the same as normal chiropractic- the process for spinal adjustment is completely different. In order to understand why, we have to understand how a child’s body differs from our own. 

The gentle approach to pediatric chiropractic

A child’s body contains the same joints as an adult’s, but they are not fully developed. The spinal joints of a child are more cartilaginous and less bony, making them much more flexible. The targeted joint has a smaller surface area, and requires a shallower thrust with less force. Due to the increased flexibility of children’s spinal joints, we often focus on mobilization rather than full manipulation. At Hayes Family Chiropractic, we are trained and certified in the pediatric applications of chiropractic, and we have used our natural modalities to provide a high level of health care for many infants and children in our community. 

Chiropractic focuses on reducing pressure from day one 

No matter the age of your child, the focus of chiropractic is the same as the focus for adults: to restore and maintain full range of motion in the joints and balance the musculature to provide for fluid biomechanical and nervous system function. Chiropractic care for children supports optimal growth and development of the spine, helping them live a more comfortable life. If you are interested in giving your child the best start to life, give our office in Dunedin a call to schedule an appointment today.