The Importance of Chiropractic Care for Infants and Children
The Importance of Chiropractic Care for Infants and Children
As parents, we do everything we can to ensure our children grow up healthy and strong. One often-overlooked aspect of their health is the alignment of their spine and the proper function of their nervous system. At Chiropractic Health Services in West Monroe, LA, we believe that starting chiropractic care early can have a profound impact on an infant’s and child’s development and overall well-being.
Chiropractic Care for Infants
The journey into the world can be tough on a baby’s spine. Misalignments can occur in the womb or during the birthing process, even in gentle births. These issues can be exacerbated by interventions like forceps, vacuum extraction, or cesarean sections, all of which place added pressure on an infant’s delicate spine.
Misalignments, or subluxations, in an infant’s spine can interfere with proper joint motion and nervous system function, impacting not only spinal and structural development but also brain development. Research shows that movement feeds the brain, so ensuring proper alignment early on is crucial.
At Chiropractic Health Services, we use extremely gentle, safe, and specific adjustments to help infants thrive. Common conditions chiropractic care can help with include:
- Colic
- Reflux
- Ear Infections
- Constipation
- Sleeping Problems
- Cranial Malformations
- Nursing/Feeding Challenges
Why Infants Need Chiropractic Wellness Exams
Shortly after birth, babies undergo routine checks for weight, height, reflexes, and more. Since the nervous system controls these functions, it makes sense to have their spine and nervous system checked by a specialized pediatric chiropractor. Regular chiropractic care ensures that their nervous system is functioning optimally, providing a solid foundation for growth and development.
Additionally, as infants grow and hit milestones like lifting their head, rolling over, crawling, and walking, these activities can cause spinal misalignments. Routine chiropractic care throughout the first year of life can help maintain proper alignment and nervous system function.
Chiropractic Care for Children
As children grow, they become more active, which increases the likelihood of minor injuries that can affect spinal health and posture. From learning to ride a bike to playing sports like soccer or gymnastics, these activities can cause spinal misalignments, impacting overall body function.
World-renowned pediatric chiropractor Dr. Jeanne Ohm emphasizes that chiropractors don’t treat specific conditions or diseases. Instead, they focus on identifying and correcting spinal misalignments that impair nervous system function. The spinal cord, housed within the vertebrae, carries vital information between the brain and body. Subluxations interfere with this communication, affecting overall health.
How Chiropractic Helps Children
Chiropractic care can address many childhood conditions, promoting overall wellness and helping with:
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Autism
- ADD/ADHD
- Bedwetting
- Digestive issues
- Decreased immune system function
- Headaches/Migraines
- Scoliosis
- Injuries
- Growing pains
As Dr. Ohm aptly states, “It is easier to build a healthy child than repair a broken adult.” Starting chiropractic care early ensures your child’s body functions at its best, setting the stage for a healthy, happy life.
Learn More About Pediatric Chiropractic
Chiropractic care offers a natural, non-invasive way to support your child’s health and well-being. For more information about pediatric chiropractic and family wellness care, visit ICPA4Kids.org.
At Chiropractic Health Services in West Monroe, LA, we are committed to helping your family thrive. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how chiropractic care can benefit your infant or child.