 Kids and Chiropractic
Most parents don't blink an eye when it comes to routine visits
to the dentist for check-ups. So why not the chiropractor? But his/her
back doesn't hurt! Why should I take them to a chiropractor?
Well, just like the dentist a spinal check-up performed by a chiropractor
could prove to be valuable in the life of your child. With not only
the trauma of childbirth itself, children are constantly falling,
jumping and running. These normal childhood activities are just
a few of the many methods for vertebral subluxations to occur. If
not detected these subluxations can have serious health consequences
for the future.
Traditionally, chiropractors have been identified with back pain
and adults. The role of children and chiropractic has been relatively
non-existent. However, the spine, which houses the nervous system,
functions to control the entire body. If problems interfere with
this system, any messages raveling throughout the nervous system,
via the brain to the spinal cord to the body and back again, are
impaired. This interrupts the normal, healthy actions and functions
of the human body. These interruptions are called Vertebral Subluxations.
Many pediatric visits to the chiropractor are due to ear infections,
allergies, asthma, attention problems, bed-wetting, back/neck pain
and headaches. Although, chiropractic does not treat specific symptoms,
we find that a healthy immune system results in an effective defense
mechanism. Such complications can arise when a subluxation within
the vertebra of the spine impair communication of the messages traveling
from your brain via the spinal cord to the body.
Pediatric chiropractors are specifically trained to examine and
adjust children of all ages. Even for newborns it's important to
remove subluxations to ensure the future health of your child.
5 Reasons for Children to see a Chiropractor
1. Birth is a time for trauma. Nine months in an uncomfortable
position can create the beginning of future postural problems. In
addition, pulling, twisting, pushing, forceps and vacuum extractions
all cause trauma to the spine of a newborn creating subluxations
and spinal cord damage that can be silent for years.
2. The nervous system, made up of your brain and spinal cord, controls
every function of the human body. Subluxations or interruptions
of this communication network means your body can't function at
100%. This is not optimal health at less than 100%.
3. Daily traumas of being a kid must be taken seriously. Running,
jumping, falling, twisting are just a few of the mechanisms for
childhood spinal injury. Furthermore, movements while changing a
diaper, learning to use a walker, being lifted by parents, carrying
a back-pack, physical demands of sports and sleeping behaviors all
become the stepping stone for serious future difficulties if not
dealt with immediately.
4. Prevention---A healthy spine and nervous system helps to prevent
common health problems experienced in children. These include ear
infections, colic, headaches, bed-wetting, asthma and other problems.
5. Posture---the old adage of "as the twig is bent, so grows
the tree". A child's spine is subject to a number of stress
and strains placing it at risk of future problems like scoliosis
or a curved spine. To prevent this from taking place and causing
future changes regular spinal screens for posture are important.
Prevention is the key at an early age to deal with problems that
could plague your children for a lifetime.
Presently, more and more we find concerned parents visiting the
offices of chiropractors throughout the world for spinal check-ups.
The importance of a healthy spine and nervous system is paramount
for your child's future. With a healthy system your child is better
equipped to deal with everything from back/neck pain to sore throats
to measles and chickenpox. Please, don't underestimate the power
of the body when it functions at 100%. By adjusting subluxations,
chiropractic is a power that fuels your body to function at its
best. Without chiropractic some kids have chronic sickness or regular
illness that leads to prolonged consumption or usage of medicines
and possible surgical intervention. Unfortunately, these are very
serious and very real.
Question's Regarding Chiropractic and Kids:
Here are some important questions Dr. Jeffrey Needham has answered
with regards to chiropractic and kids. These are very common questions
asked when the topic of chiropractic arises with the health of children.
I hope that these are helpful to you and your family.
1. Chiropractors use children as a market for their profession
and to make more money
Well some may believe this! But, can you really place a value on
your children? The truth is in my practice I see hundreds of people
with curved spines, chronic back/neck pain, headaches etc. And these
people all experience this at present and usually for the rest of
their lives in some manner or another. Why? Because they didn't
see a chiropractor when they were young to help prevent problems
in their spines. As a result, these problems compounded day after
day, year after year and their bodies adapted to the point where
it cannot go on without correction. Unfortunately, for some it can
take a very long time to undo the past. So chiropractic for children
is even more valuable than for adults. Trust me. A healthy, straight
spine as a child grows into a healthy adult future. Needham Family
Chiropractic offers the Family Plan to include the health of all
family members. Please check with our office for further information.
Our greatest reward comes from the health of everyone within our
community.
2. Our medical doctor condones chiropractic for kids
What would create this response? First off, medical doctors of
all types and specialties have no background with regards to chiropractic.
In addition, they receive no education regarding chiropractic, it's
science or it's benefits. Most medical doctors have never been to
a chiropractor or ever seen an adjustment take place. Fear is a
natural response. Fear of the unknown usually leads to the formulation
of opinions rather than the conclusion of an educated decision.
If an event or experience is not witnessed that doesn't make something
more or less true. Many pediatric chiropractic testimonials exist
and pediatricians do get tired of hearing how chiropractic can educate
people to improve their health. Also, if a natural form of health,
like chiropractic is effective, who wants to visit the medical doctor
for drugs and dangerous testing, this in turn hurts their business.
A medical doctor of any sort is not qualified to comment or recommend
whether a person should or shouldn't see a chiropractor. The same
holds for a chiropractor making a statement about someone seeing
an optometrist or a dentist and so forth. Ignorance can be dangerous
and that's why education and making an educated decision is so important.
So educate to formulate a decision. "The most dangerous weapon
in the world is a made up mind".
3. Other Parents think chiropractic is dangerous for children
Proper chiropractic care for anyone, including kids is safe. Chiropractors
are doctors who must receive training in the specialty. This involves
at least seven years of education at an accredited college or university.
Furthermore, chiropractors trained in pediatrics are well trained
in delivering adjustments that children hardly notice taking place.
The profession has existed for over 100 years. Millions of adjustments
take place per year. In all the literature that exists, not one
adverse effect has taken place involving a child. Chiropractic is
both safe and effective.
4. Our kids don't have any aches or pains, so why do they need
a chiropractor?
First, people have been conditioned to think that without signs
or symptoms that you are healthy. Truth be known that once signs
and symptoms are evident you are in the late phase of that scenario.
Take the dentist for example. Can you have a cavity without having
a toothache? The answer is yes. So that's why you go to the dentist
for regular visits to help detect and prevent in the early phases
so that any serious problems won't arise later. The same goes for
vertebral subluxations. Often, subluxations exist without the signs
and symptoms, yet they can produce colic, ear infections, asthma
etc. We stress that chiropractic is not a treatment for signs and
symptoms, a healthy spine and nervous system creates a strong defense
mechanism to battle against sickness. This is why we promote that
people without signs and symptoms be checked for subluxations. "It's
not how your feeling, It's how your healing". Prevention is
our best line of defense with regards to your health.
5. Once you see a chiropractor you always have to go back
When you make a health decision, whether it be a healthy diet,
to be alcohol free, to not smoke or do drugs, it must be a decision
that you stand by. Usually, these decisions turn out to be ones
you adopt for life. If you were told that exercise would decrease
your risk of future heart attacks would you stop? If you were told
that brushing your teeth would prevent cavities would you stop?
If you were told that healthy foods prevent a number of serious
illnesses and disease would you through that away? Chiropractic
and the presence of vertebral subluxations runs of the same premise.
The correction of spinal subluxations or misalignments allows your
nervous system (your brain and spinal cord) to communicate properly.
Messages are both sent and received at 100% through your spine to
the rest of your body. 100% function takes place. This means that
you have a healthy spine and nervous system regardless. Anything
less can't be considered healthy. Chiropractic without a doubt should
also be a lifetime decision, just like the dentist, regular exercise,
a healthy diet and good education. Prevention is our focus so you
can live a long and healthy life.
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