Many people assume that children do not need chiropractic care because they see chiropractic care as strictly for individuals with neck and back problems. Chiropractic care is not just for people experiencing aches and misalignment, but it is also preventative care treatment. Chiropractic care is completely safe for patients of all ages, even newborns.
The biggest help that chiropractic care serves to adolescents is making sure that the nervous system is operating at its best. The nervous system is made up of the brain, spine and nerves, which extend throughout the body. When there is something off in any one of these three components of the body, a child may not be performing or functioning at an optimal level. If a child’s spine is misaligned, they may not be developing properly or as quickly as they are supposed to. These misalignments are called subluxations. Subluxations can occur at any age, but it is important to catch it as soon as possible with children to avoid any debilitating changes to the nervous system. During the first five years of a child’s life, they develop the most neural pathways in the body that they ever will. If there are any disturbances during this time, the child faces possibility of subtle traumas in the body, which can lead to a variety of imbalances in both the physical and developmental side of their growth.
Even without having clear aches or misalignments in a child’s body, preventative care such as chiropractic care allows a child to better adapt to their body’s development. There are also side effects of a healthy spine that many patients have seen, such as:
- Improved sleep
- When the body is stressed, even without clear reasons or signs, then it makes it more difficult for children to sleep. Sleep is very important for young kids especially, and so with chiropractic care we can help to avoid or rid the body of any stressors preventing them from a good night’s rest.
- Behavior
- In the same way that stress prevents us to sleep, it essentially causes irritability in the body and mind. When a child is experiencing discomfort, whether they are of speaking age or not, they may communicate by lashing out or misbehaving. When we can align the body, we can align the mind.
- Immune System Function
- As touched on above, everything in the body is connected. When we experience an imbalance in one part of the body, it’s not long before it disrupts another area of the body. Immune system function is a wonderful side effect of a healthy and aligned spine.
If you would like your child to receive a chiropractic consultation, contact our offices today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Stover.
