Chiropractic for Kids: the Basics

By Dr. Suzanne M. Lowe

One of the things I hear most frequently when I tell people that I adjust children, is “WHY would I bring my child to a chiropractor?” The question generally comes from two perspectives:

1. The parent ( or an aunt, uncle, brother, neighbor etc.) currently utilizes the services of a chiropractor or has at some point in their life and they cannot imagine “adult” chiropractic adjustments being given to their child and/or
2. They have not been educated in the many benefits of chiropractic care for children and some of the reasons why they might seek chiropractic care for their child.

First, a simple chiropractic review:

- The body is a self-regulating organism, which includes self-healing capabilities. (Body, heal thyself! It often can!)

- The nervous system directs all bodily functions, and therefore is requisite in the restoration and maintenance of health. (A healthy nervous system is required to function at 100%.)

- Improper motion of the spine is known as vertebral subluxation. Subluxations can interfere with the proper function of the nervous system. (Improper motion of the spine + chiropractic care = a healthier body!)

- Removal/ reduction of vertebral subluxations via the chiropractic adjustment relieves/minimizes nerve irritations, and thus enhances the ability of the nervous system to promote health and healing from within. (And…you ARE going to feel great!) (1)

In my practice, I always consider the size of the pediatric spine, bone development and natural ease of the pediatric client. This ease can often equate to a “less is more approach” while adjusting the pediatric practice member. Adjustments are generally extremely light force, very precise and gauged to the child’s comfort level. I have small hands to begin with but consider precision and specificity in the pediatric adjustment one of my gifts.

In the first issue of The Essence, I talked about “As the twig is bent, so grows the tree”, a strong case for preventative chiropractic care for your child so that their spine grows straight and in motion. I would like to share with you some of the “common” reasons why parents are bringing their children to our office for a chiropractic evaluation and care if determined necessary.

- Headaches. Spinal misalignment can cause undue muscle stress and strain in the area just below the skull. Poor posture (what we call ‘anterior head carriage’) can cause headaches – your child’s ear should line up directly over midline of their shoulder when checking them from the side. If it doesn’t, this can be indicative of poor spinal alignment. Backpacks that are too heavy and/or worn incorrectly can cause unnecessary spinal stress and strain. Backpacks are to be pulled up taut and tight, around BOTH shoulders. Rolling backpacks can relieve some of that stress but your child should try pulling the backpack using alternate hands…right hand one day, left hand the next.

- Growing Pains. These are often inevitable. As the bones grow, the muscles must stretch to accommodate the new length of the growing bone. Spinal misalignment can cause imbalance of the muscles, which can cause your child to experience an increased amount of growing pain discomfort.

- Back/neck Pain. This can be caused by a myriad of conditions. But, in general, what I tell parents is if your child “complains” on a regular basis that he/she is experiencing neck or back pain, please pay attention. We all experience fleeting aches and pains but a regular complaint from child may be indicative of something more serious going on.

- Sports injuries. I think our kids are expected to perform at a much higher level and with a greater degree of intensity than kids of my generation. That means they are getting hurt. Small spinal misalignments, left unattended potentially puts your child at a higher risk of back/neck issues and pain later on their life. Even our cheerleaders are expected to perform at an extremely high performance level and if your cheerleader is a flyer (and risks being dropped) or a catcher, experiencing a great deal of compression to their spines on a regular basis, preventative chiropractic care can be a significant gift to ensuring they grow healthy and strong.

- Scoliosis. This is an abnormal lateral (a side to side) curve of the bones of the spine. The spine should look straight up and down – from their neck to their bottom - when viewed from behind your child. Visible indicators of scoliosis can be one hip or shoulder higher than the other, a “rib hump” – one side of the rib cage sticking out more on one side or the other either on the front or the back of your child. A head that tilts more to one side than the other. Our children are typically screened for scoliosis in 6th or 7th grade in school. While children are still growing is an excellent time to address a lateral curve of the spine utilizing a team of health care professionals if necessary. Children with scoliosis in our office are adjusted and given age-appropriate exercises to strengthen weak muscles groups and stretch taut muscles. We teach them about the responsibility they have in caring for their bodies and their spines. It is a great lesson to learn as a child.

In the case of these conditions, few debate the benefit of chiropractic care. I work with a pediatrician in our community who is open-minded enough to learn about another pediatric profession that could assist him in the care of his patients. Working as part of your child’s health care team is a high priority to me.

Next month, I will discuss some of the conditions in children that are altered by regular chiropractic care like ear infections, bed wetting, asthma, and hyperactivity disorder.
Until then, “Live your best life – Discover Chiropractic!” Namaste…..

Dr. Suzanne Lowe is a family chiropractor in downtown Brentwood and she adjusts young and old alike! Her practice is Essential Care Chiropractic – offering exceptional chiropractic care which is essential to good health!


(1) Complementing Chiropractic Philosophy with ScienceCynthia Hey DC Bio [June 11, 2007, pp 1-11], JVSR