Who says chiropractic care is just for grown-ups?
Are you hesitant about taking your baby or child to a chiropractor?
Well, let me tell you, there's no need to be afraid! Chiropractic care for children has numerous benefits (including improved immune function, reduced colic and ear infections, and improved sleep patterns); plus it can be a great addition to a their healthcare routine.
Today I’d like to share the benefits of chiropractic care for infants and children, as well as how to suggest chiropractic care for someone else’s kid(s) that you truly care about and want to help….
Before we dive in, here’s a link to my last two newsletters on ”Protecting you health with Nutritional IV Therapy” and “Cliffnotes on Aging and Mindset”, if you missed them, click Here.
OK, let’s briefly highlight the basics of chiropractic care for infants and children, and how you can help share with your friends and family!
First of all, chiropractic care for infants and children is completely safe. Chiropractors who work with infants undergo specialized training to ensure that they are providing the best care possible for your little one. We use gentle, non-invasive techniques to adjust the spine, which can help to improve overall health and wellness.
Don’t forget, the space in the womb gets cramped up as the due date for birth approaches. After birth, some kids may suffer slight vertebra misalignment that may hinder proper development and growth. Chiropractic care can correct the problem, even right after birth.
In fact, chiropractic care can be especially helpful for infants who have experienced a traumatic birth. The process of being born can put a lot of stress on an infant's spine and nervous system, which can lead to a variety of health issues (I’ll expound on the birthing process in a bit). Chiropractic care can help to alleviate this stress and promote healing.
Another benefit of chiropractic care for children and infants is that it can help to improve sleep patterns. As any new parent can tell you, sleep is essential for both babies and parents! Chiropractic adjustments can help to improve spinal alignment, which can in turn improve sleep patterns and help your baby get the rest they need to grow and develop.
According to research, 40% of infants experience deeper slumbers after just one session with a chiropractor. This is a stat every parent will love, considering that about one out of four babies has sleep troubles.
Chiropractic care can also be helpful in reducing the symptoms of colic, reflux, and other digestive issues. By gently adjusting the spine, chiropractors can help to improve nerve function and promote better digestion.
But the benefits of chiropractic care for infants don't stop there! Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to improve immune function, reduce ear infections, and even promote better breastfeeding. And, perhaps most importantly, chiropractic care for infants is a drug-free, non-invasive approach to healthcare, which is something that many parents find appealing.
We have tons of success stories with children and infants here in our office. From stronger immune systems warding off the latest hand-foot-mouth virus, to improving breastfeeding for newborns.
To read a more in-depth NCBI report, click HERE.
THE BIRTH PROCESS
In a typical C-section, a small incision is made in the mom’s abdomen and the doctor, hands around baby’s neck, pulls upward and maneuvers the baby out. This is how one out of every three babies in the United States enters the world. Contrary to the perception that a mom’s belly unzips and the baby floats out on a cloud, cesareans pose real physical trauma to a baby’s spine. These traction forces are experienced by the baby in most births, vaginal or cesarean, and cause a subtle shift in the top bone of the neck. That shift in the spinal bone can interfere with the nervous system and disrupt normal childhood development. This neurobiomechanical dysfunction, what chiropractors refer to as vertebral subluxation, can contribute to many of the concerns new parents have for their children - comfort, sleep, digestion, immune system, coordination, and breastfeeding.
After birth, some mother/infants can’t establish a normal latch. It can be painful, inconsistent, and ineffective. Despite many opting to go see a neonatologist, pediatrician, lactation consultants, and pediatric dentists who may release tongue and lip ties, many infants continue their struggle to breastfeed. Often after seeing these lactation consultants, new parents are instructed to give up, and told that the baby’s anatomy just makes a normal latch impossible. Needless to say, this breaks a new mother’s heart, and she resigns herself to pumping and bottle-feeding, thinking nothing will make a difference.
When all seems lost, I urge you to try chiropractic care. An evaluation could very well reveal a vertebral subluxation at the top of your baby’s neck, restricting the ability to turn the head and engage the breasts symmetrically, open the mouth sufficiently, and develop an effective sucking and swallowing pattern.
Most babies melt into the table during an adjustment, which consists of gentle pressure to correct the subluxation, reduce the adverse nervous system tension, and let your baby finally move in a way that allows them to latch.
Many times after a few hours of the first adjustment, the baby will begin nursing. And a week or two later, the baby will be nursing undisturbed: no more pain, no more pumping, no more bottles.
My suggestion? Try chiropractic after your baby’s birth before going through the realm of specialists that many frustrated parents turn to first!
BENEFITS OF CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR KIDS
Research has shown that chiropractic adjustments can help to stimulate the immune system, leading to an increase in the production of white blood cells and a decrease in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This means that chiropractic care can be beneficial for children who are prone to illness or who have a weakened immune system.
Colic and ear infections are two common conditions that can affect infants and young children. A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that chiropractic adjustments improved the symptoms of colic in 94% of infants. Another study published in the Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics found that chiropractic care was effective in reducing the frequency and duration of ear infections in children.
Sleep is important for the development and growth of infants and children. A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that chiropractic care improved sleep patterns in children, leading to a reduction in nighttime waking and an increase in the total amount of sleep.
HOW TO SUGGEST CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR SOMEONE ELSE’S KIDS….
Suggesting that a child could benefit from seeing a chiropractor can be a delicate conversation, as some parents may be hesitant or skeptical of chiropractic care. Here are some tips to help you approach the conversation in a thoughtful and respectful way:
Listen to the parent's concerns: Before suggesting that their child could benefit from seeing a chiropractor, it's important to listen to the parent's concerns about their child's health. This can help you understand their perspective and tailor your approach accordingly.
Explain the potential benefits: Once you've listened to the parent's concerns, you can explain the potential benefits of chiropractic care for children. Focus on the evidence-based benefits, such as improved sleep, reduced colic symptoms, and enhanced immune function.
Address any misconceptions: Some parents may have misconceptions about chiropractic care, such as the idea that it's only for adults or that it involves painful adjustments. Take the time to address any misconceptions and explain the gentle, non-invasive techniques that are used with children.
Recommend a reputable chiropractor: If the parent is interested in exploring chiropractic care for their child, recommend a reputable chiropractor who has experience working with children, (I would hope that would be our office). If not, make sure the chiropractor is properly licensed and trained, and provide the parent with any additional information they may need to make an informed decision.
Respect the parent's decision: Ultimately, the decision to pursue chiropractic care for a child is up to the parent. If they choose not to pursue chiropractic care, respect their decision and offer support in other ways.
Remember, suggesting chiropractic care for a child should always be done with the child's best interests in mind, and in a respectful and empathetic manner.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The beauty about chiropractic is the fact that it works with natural means. It puts nothing new into the body. Chiropractic simply releases life forces within the body, and lets nature do her work in a normal manner.
It’s not a new concept that chiropractic care offers a non-invasive, drug-free approach to healthcare that focuses on the relationship between the spine and the nervous system. But let me tell you, that Chiropractic care for infants and children has been shown to have an extremely wide range of benefits, including improved immune function, reduced colic and ear infections, and improved sleep patterns.
So, if you're a new parent and you're considering taking your child to a chiropractor, don't be afraid! Chiropractic care can be a safe and effective way to promote better health and wellness for your little one.
As an example, the importance of breastfeeding for physical and emotional health is well documented and generally accepted by the medical community. While many hospitals and doctors’ offices have taken steps toward increasing breastfeeding rates, for some moms they may be missing one key aspect - chiropractic.
My suggestion? Try chiropractic after your baby’s birth before going through the realm of specialists that many frustrated parents turn to first!
Got a fussy baby? Try a chiropractic adjustment! Our gentle techniques can help soothe your little one and promote better sleep.
Chiropractic care can help reduce the symptoms of colic and reflux in infants. It's true! Bring your little one in for an adjustment and see the difference for yourself.
Let us help you and your little one start your health and wellness journey on the right foot. Our gentle, specialized care can promote healthy growth and development for your baby.
If you are interested in learning more about how chiropractic care can benefit your child (or yourself), please contact me using the link below:
Or, if you prefer, give us a call at: (973) 210-3838.
It’s true….. Moms, dads, and kiddos alike love our chiropractic care! From improving immune function to promoting better digestion, our gentle adjustments can benefit the whole family.
I also offered tips on how to talk with friends and family about seeking chiropractic health. Suggesting that a child could benefit from seeing a chiropractor can be a delicate conversation, as some parents may be hesitant or skeptical of chiropractic care.
Remember, suggesting chiropractic care for a child should always be done with the child's best interests in mind, and in a respectful and empathetic manner.
We are bring tools such as these to you, our patients, by using proven cutting-edge therapies to extend the health-span, life-span and years of health for everyone (no matter their age)!