Parents often ask why a newborn baby should be checked by a chiropractor. Many spinal problems seen in adults began as early as birth. Abnormal positioning in the uterus or a difficult journey through the birth canal can create spinal distress. The resulting irritation of the nerve system caused by spinal and cranial misalignments can be the cause of many newborn health complaints.
“In a research study published by Gutmann more than 1,000 infants were examined and it was concluded that approximately 80% of all newborns had some form of nerve dysfunction.”
Colic, breathing problems, neurological difficulties, nursing difficulties, sleep disturbances, irritability, allergic reactions and chronic infections can often be traced to nerve system stress from spinal misalignments in newborns. Undetected, these problems may develop into learning difficulties, asthma, ear infections, hyperactivity and other health problems.
It is important to note that 65% of neurological development (i.e. development of the brain and nervous system) occurs in your child’s first year. As the infant grows, learning to hold up the head, sit, crawl and walk are all activities that affect spinal alignment. It is therefore imperative to have your child checked by a chiropractor to optimize spinal alignment and maximize nerve function during this critical time.
As the child begins to participate in regular childhood activities like skating, riding a bike, playing football, small yet significant spinal misalignments (subluxations) may occur. Repetitive or prolonged postures while watching television and playing computer games can also impact a developing spine.
These misalignments may or may not result in immediate pain of symptoms. 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 child’s ability of functioning at its best. A healthy child’s body is resilient, but just as any machine or engine requires maintenance and service to help it run smoothly, so does your child’s nervous system require care. Chiropractic awareness is shifting from being an intervention for pain-relief (typically for headaches and lower-back pain) to more proactive wellness-oriented healthcare choice.
How does a chiropractor adjust a baby or child?
Chiropractic adjustments for adults differ significantly from those performed on newborns or children. Often the chiropractor will use light fingertip pressure on the baby's back or neck, other times they may choose to use an instrument (known as an activator) to adjust the baby's spine. Most parents report that their children enjoy their chiropractic adjustments and look forward to subsequent visits. They also report that children experience a greater level of health while under regular chiropractic care.
Your child’s health is their greatest asset. Get him or her checked by a chiropractor as soon as possible.