Worldwide Chiropractic

Questions Parents Frequently Ask About Children and Chiropractic

Why?
Children are susceptible to trauma in their spines from various activities and events, including everyday tumbles. These micro traumas can subluxate the vertebrae of the spine, placing pressure on the spinal nerves and therefore decreasing their bodies' ability to function normally. Although symptoms such as pain and malfunction may not show up for years, injury to their vital nervous system can have a lifetime of damaging effects.

One of the most common reason parents seek care for their child is trauma from an injury of some sort. These misalignments may or may not result in immediate pain or symptoms. Regular chiropractic checkups can identify potential spinal injury from these traumas, make the correction early in life and help avoid many of the health complaints seen later in adults. Proper spinal hygiene is an important key to better health. Another sought out reason for care is the resolution of a particular symptom or condition. Parents seek care for conditions such as colic, ear infections, asthma, allergies and headaches (to name a few) because they have heard from other parents that chiropractic care can help.

It is important to understand that the doctor of chiropractic does not treat conditions or diseases. The expertise of the chiropractor is in checking the child’s spine for misalignments that impair nervous system function therefore affecting overall body function. The bones of the spine, the vertebrae, house and protect the spinal cord. The spinal cord is an extension of the brain and carries information from the brain to the body parts and back to the brain again. Subluxations interfere with the nerves’ ability to transmit this vital information.

The nerve system controls and coordinates the function of all the systems in the body: circulatory, respiratory, digestive, hormonal, eliminative and immune system. Any aspect of health may be impaired by nerve interference. The chiropractic adjustment restores nerve system function allowing the body the ability to express a greater state of health and well-being.

When?
More and more parents are seeking chiropractic care for their children. Many spinal problems seen in adults began as early as birth. Even so called 'natural' birthing methods can stress an infant's spine and developing nerve system. The resulting irritation to the nerve system caused by spinal and cranial misalignment can be the cause of many newborn health complaints. Colic, breathing problems, nursing difficulties, sleep disturbances, allergic reactions and chronic infections can often be traced to nerve system stress.

Since significant spinal trauma can occur at birth, many parents have their newborns checked right away. As the infant grows, learning to hold up the head, sit, crawl and walk are all activities that affect spinal alignment and are important times to have a child checked by a Doctor of Chiropractic who specializes in pediatric care like Dr. Simon.

As the child begins to participate in regular childhood activities like skating or riding a bike, small yet significant spinal misalignments (subluxations) may occur. If neglected, the injuries during this period of rapid growth may lead to more serious problems later in life. Subtle trauma throughout childhood will affect the future development of the spine leading to impaired nervous system function. Any interference to the vital nerve system will adversely affect the body ’s ability to function at its best.

Does it Hurt?
Dr. Simon specializes in adjusting children and uses very specific, and gentle techniques to care for them. On the very young, the adjustment is as light as a finger touch. Dr. Simon has taken post-graduate classes on specific techniques for pregnant mothers, infants and children to enhance his skill in handling these precious patients.

How?
At Worldwide Chiropractic, we offer complimentary consultations, giving parents the opportunity to meet Dr. Simon and to find out about chiropractic for their children and discuss their individual needs.

Dr. Simon will take a case history and perform a chiropractic exam to determine if spinal subluxations exist. Dr. Simon’s adjusting procedures are modified to fit a child's size, weight, and unique spinal condition. They are both gentle and specific to the child’s developing spinal structures. Most parents report that their children enjoy their chiropractic adjustments and look forward to subsequent visits. They also report that their children experience a greater level of health while under regular chiropractic care with Dr. Simon.