The idea of children needing chiropractic care or not can seem like messy subject if you don’t know the ins and outs of it. Do children need chiropractic care? What are the reasons a child would need to see a chiropractor? How safe is it for a child to see a chiropractor?

To answer the question, “Do children need chiropractic care?”, it depends. While a child’s body is not fully developed until a certain age, children are just as prone to aches and pains as an adult is. Our youngest daughter, as a child, was easily prone to aches and pains in her upper body and neck due to a childhood anxiety disorder. She became more than used to receiving adjustments and massage by the time she was a teenager. The whole point of chiropractic treatment is to prevent more problems occuring down the road, in addition to treating whatever current symptoms a person may be suffering with.

Chiropractic care, in the hands of a licensed and trained chiropractor, is generally considered safe for children. It is important to make sure your chiropractor is experienced in treating children, but there are many potential benefits in children’s chiropractic care.

Conditions that a chiropractor can treat in a child include:

• Musculoskeletal issues: Children may experience pain or discomfort due to musculoskeletal problems such as scoliosis, back or neck pain, or sports injuries.

• Developmental issues: Some children may have developmental issues that affect their posture or movement, such as cerebral palsy or torticollis.

• Colic: Chiropractic care may help alleviate symptoms of colic in infants.

• Ear infections: Some chiropractors may use gentle adjustments to help improve drainage of the ears and alleviate symptoms of ear infections.

• Sleep issues: Children who have trouble sleeping may benefit from chiropractic adjustments to help alleviate discomfort or pain.

It is more than okay to make your own judgment and discuss options with a health care professional in addition to a chiropractor if you have concerns.