Chiropractic & Kids
Many people are surprised to learn that Chiropractic care is important throughout all stages of life. Often, Chiropractic is thought of as a treatment for pain or injury. How many times have you heard of Chiropractors being referred to as “back pain doctors”? But Chiropractic is also an important part of our overall health and wellness. And it can help kids and teenagers be more active and have fewer chronic problems by preventing future problems today.
Think of how rough we are on our bodies during our childhood and adolescence. Toddlers and preschoolers fall down repeatedly while learning to walk, run or ride a bike. They hit their heads while playing with friends. And it seems as though they are tripping and falling all of the time. Older children and adolescents are often involved in sports activities and other extra-curricular activities that lead to “normal” bumps, bruises and injuries. As well, they spend much of their days sitting – in class, at home, and at the computer.
The benefit to starting Chiropractic at a young age is that it can fix many problems early instead of managing a problem that has become chronic in adulthood. It is a common misconception that kids don’t suffer significant injuries and that they bounce back quickly. This is because during the growth years, kids joints are loose and flexible to accommodate the ongoing changes occurring in their body. Although they may not complain of pain, all of those “normal” bumps, bruises, and falls can cause irreparable damage to the joints and muscles that, if left untreated, can continue well into adulthood.
A spinal checkup will allow us to identify any potential problem areas and fix them before they become problematic. It is important for your child to get routine checkups whether they complain of pain or not, especially after reaching a developmental milestone (ie. crawling or walking) or after a fall or accident. Because we are catching the problem early, kids tend to heal quicker than adults and they usually require fewer treatments than an adult. As well, Chiropractic treatment is modified based on the size and particular complaint of the patient so Chiropractic adjustments for kids are gentle, comfortable and effective.
If you could, wouldn’t you do anything to help your child to live a healthier adult life? The key is prevention. This starts with teaching them about the importance of nutrition, exercise, good oral hygiene and maintaining good spinal health. Get them started on the road to wellness with a Chiropractic checkup today!