Why children need chiropractic care

We often get asked if it’s safe for children to get adjusted, or why a child would even need to be adjusted. After all, they don’t have back pain. Well, the absence of pain is definitely not an indicator of good health.

There are many physical, chemical, and emotional stressors that can affect a child’s spine and nervous system function. When nerve pressure, or spinal dysfunction is present, it can affect a child’s development and expression of health.

As a parent, sometimes your intuition tells you that something is not quite right with your child, but you’ve been dismissed with words like ‘You’re overthinking it’, ‘They will outgrow it’, ‘Let’s wait and see’. We hear you, and we believe that chiropractic may be the missing puzzle to your child’s optimal health.

What does a child out of balance look like?

The body is incredibly clever, it will send signals to us when something is not functioning well within, and it is our job to pay attention to these signals. As parents, it is important to observe if your child is integrating their world with ease, and if they are meeting their developmental milestones.

An imbalance can present in a variety of ways such as:

• Difficulty with feeding and latching
• Sleeping problems
• Digestive disorders
• Falling sick easily, and taking more than a week to recover from colds, flus, allergies
• Poor balance and coordination
• Oversensitivity to environmental stimulus
• Aggressive or angry behaviour
• Uneven head shape
• Persistent head tilt
• Difficulty turning neck to one side
• Delayed developmental milestones

If your child has any of these presentations, get your child checked by a chiropractor who is skilled with children.

Physical stressors at birth

The first and often biggest cause of stress to the nervous system is the birth process given it involves compression, contractions, torques, and traction forces. Birth can be stressful for the baby. It may result in strain to the neck and cranial areas which can cause stress to the nervous system and pose many health challenges later in life that could have easily been prevented.

Knocks and falls

A child is estimated to have had 3 major falls by the age of 3, and have fallen approximately 2500 times by the age of 7. Yes, children are incredibly resilient and will be able to bounce back from such falls. However, each of these seemingly insignificant falls can add up and cause distortion in a child’s body, resulting in a poor foundation for later in life.

Prolonged posture and lack of play.

It is pivotal that children play. They need to be playing catch, dribbling balls, jumping on trampolines and be out in the sun. Play is so important for spinal and neuromotor development, and for strengthening muscles.

There is no doubt that the world today demands children to be technologically savvy. However, long hours of sitting in front of a device can negatively impact a child’s development.

Is it safe?

Yes. Chiropractic is a safe, gentle, and effective way to help children thrive. When adjusting an infant, the chiropractor who is trained to take care of infants will only use the amount of pressure you would use to comfortably push on your eyeball. Depending on the age of your child, different techniques will be used to suit their bodies.

Guiding questions:

1. Is my child eating, pooping, and sleeping well?
2. Is my child effectively adapting to the stressors from their external environment?
3. Does my child have a head tilt, side preference, or head flattening?
4. Is health merely the absence of disease?

In conclusion, ensuring your child's optimal health involves paying attention to their physical, chemical, and emotional well-being. Chiropractic care offers a safe and gentle approach to address potential issues, supporting your child's growth and development. If you've observed any signs of imbalance or are simply seeking proactive healthcare, consider getting your child checked by a chiropractor experienced in pediatric care.

At One Spine Chiropractic Singapore, we are dedicated to helping children thrive and be more resilient through chiropractic care. Take the first step toward your child's well-being and schedule a consultation today.