Children’s Chiropractic: The Reasons we see Children in Practice

Children’s chiropractic is commonly sought for postural check ups and back or neck pain. As well as;

happy friends having fun together

 

  • Poor posture
  • Decreased coordination and balance ability
  • Torticollis – ‘wry’ neck
  • Scoliosis – sideways spinal curves
  • Joint sprains
  • Muscle strains
  • Spinal pain
  • Headaches 1-3

As chiropractors we primarily focus on the neuromusculoskeletal system (muscles, bones and nerves). Having said that we recognise the effect our treatment has on the child’s whole body and expression of well-being.  Because of this parents often notice improvement in seemingly unrelated areas and with other health concerns. 2,3

Children’s Chiropractic: Does it work?

Chiropractic treatment for a child is considerably different to that for an adult. We look after children of all ages from newborns to teenagers and of course through to adults.

Spinal adjustments are adapted to the unique bio-mechanical features of the paediatric spine. The force delivered is far less; techniques are modified and reduced in pressure to suit the age and level of development of each individual child. We also incorporate other techniques such as soft tissue work, cranial work and movement exercises.

Research and clinical experience has shown a high rate of improvement with children’s chiropractic care in respect to the presenting complaint and additional beneficial effects unrelated to the child’s initial clinical presentation 4. In a 3 year retrospective study in England, 85% of parents report improvement in their child undergoing chiropractic care 5.

The evidence, so far, is that manual therapy for the paediatric patient, in the hands of a skilled chiropractor, has a very low risk. The negative side effects of paediatric manipulation are rare and mild 4-6.

References, and further reading

  1. Hayden Ja, Mior SA, Verhoef MJ. Evaluation of chiropractic management of pediatric patients with lowback pain: a prospective cohort study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2003 ;26(1):1-8.
  2. Gotlib A, Rupert R. Chiropractic Manipulation in Paediatric Health Conditions – An Updated Systematic Review.Chiropr & Osteopat. 16:11
  3. Hawk C, Khorsan M, Lisi A, Ferrance R, Willard Evans M. Chiropractic Care for Nonmusculoskeletal Condisions: A Systematic review with Implications for Whole Systems Research.J Altern Compl Med. 2007. 13:5;491-512
  4. Alcantara J,Ohm JKunz D.The safety and effectiveness of pediatric chiropractic: a survey of chiropractors and parents in a practice-based research network. Explore (NY). 2009 Sep-Oct;5(5):290-5. doi: 10.1016/j.explore.2009.06.002.
  5. Miller JE1,Benfield K. Adverse effects of spinal manipulative therapy in children younger than 3 years: a retrospective study in a chiropractic teaching clinic. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2008 Jul-Aug;31(6):419-23. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2008.06.002.
  6. Vohra S, Bradley C, Johnston KC, Humphreys K: Adverse events associated with Paediatric spinal manipulation: a systematic review.Pediatrics 2007, 119:275-283.