There’s no doubt, every parent wants the very best for their children and this means safeguarding their health and development. With the trend towards non-invasive, drug-free support for their wellbeing, here are 5 overlooked signs your child may need to get checked.

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a health profession that focuses on addressing disorders of the spine and nervous system. In New Zealand, chiropractors are licensed following a 5-year doctorate degree and 100’s of hours of intensive training.

There are two main types of chiropractor.

A Traditional Chiropractor is focused on improving outcomes such as range of motion and pain reduction. Their modalities might include physiotherapies, spinal manipulation and/or lifestyle modification.

A Structural Chiropractor analyses the structural framework of the body and identifies signs of underlying nervous system dysfunction. This structural distortion is a known CORE PROBLEM and as such, impacts the health of the body in ways that can be felt, but more importantly, in ways that someone may be completely unaware of.

Their methods are centralised around the specific correction of these core problems, as well as exercises and lifestyle advice, to support improvement and avoid repeating the problem over and over again in the future. 

Why Chiropractic For Kids?

Much like dental care, having teeth is a good reason to properly take care of them. We know that problems with the teeth and oral cavity can be signs of bigger issues with one’s health. It’s standard protocol for most families to periodically bring their children to a dentist to check for problems and clean their teeth.

When it comes to chiropractic for kids… the answer is the same... because kids have a spine.

The spine and nervous system, being central to our body’s function and subject to a multitude of different stresses from birth onward, requires appropriate attention.

But…

…how would you know?

What would prompt you to consider chiropractic for your kids?

While the ideal first step would be bringing your child to a paediatric chiropractor soon after birth for a comprehensive analysis of their spine and nervous system, that’s typically not how we think.

Right or wrong, it’s common for parents to wait until signs or symptoms appear before considering any intervention.

To make it easy, here are 5 overlooked signs your child may need to be checked.

1. BIRTH TRAUMA

In 1969, Professor Abraham Towbin, M.D., reported on the results of a study he conducted at Harvard Medical School’s department of neuropathology on spinal cord and brainstem injuries in newborn infants.

Towbin conducted autopsies on more than 2,000 newborn infants who had died shortly after birth. In his report “Latent Spinal Cord and Brainstem Injuries in Newborn Infants,” Professor Towbin summarised his findings as follows:

“Spinal cord and brainstem injuries occur often during the process of birth, but frequently escape diagnosis. Respiratory depression in the neonate is a cardinal sign of such injury. In infants who survive there may be lasting neurological defects reflecting the primary injury; in some, secondary hypoxic damage to the cerebrum may ultimately be manifested as cerebral palsy.

With advances in medical birth procedures you may wonder, does birth trauma still exist?

Even in industrialised nations or with cases of cesarean section, birth traumas such as bell’s palsy, brachial plexus injuries and stress / strain injuries to the cervical spine continue to occur.

The potential for birth trauma and even in-utero constraint is reason enough for the analysis of a newborn’s spine and nervous system.

2. DIFFICULTY SLEEPING

A 2008 pilot study in The Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics showed that infants sleep better when under chiropractic care. In the study, parents of 117 infants who were brought in for chiropractic care were asked to fill out a questionnaire on the children’s sleep behaviours.

The researchers stated, “The pilot study into the issue of sleep problems in children showed significant improvements (by parental report) in time taken to fall asleep, number of consecutive hours of sleep and depth and quality of sleep for children during a short course of chiropractic care.”

3. BAD POSTURE

Posture is a window into a child’s future health with structural distortion not only compromising a child’s self-esteem but also their body’s function.

The potential impact includes accelerated spinal deterioration, lowered energy, and impaired cognition.

4. BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS

The central nervous system plays a part in ADHD and other behavioural disorders. With the nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and spinal nerves) being protected by the skull and moveable bones of the spine, corrective chiropractors are able to help reduce irritation that may be a contributing factor.

The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association has available research on behavioural problems and chiropractic.

5. COLIC

In a study of 316 cases of children with infantile colic, mothers were provided a diary and kept track of the baby’s symptoms, intensity and length of the colicky crying as well as how comfortable the infant seemed. 94% of the children within 14 days of chiropractic care showed a satisfactory response. After four weeks, the improvements were maintained.

WHAT NEXT?

Be a world-class parent and make sure you oversee your child’s healthy lifestyle.

Are they eating quality foods in adequate quantity?

Are they exercising daily?

Are they getting enough sleep?

Are they happy?

Pay close attention to the overlooked signs your kids may need something else they’re just not getting that could help them be at their absolute best!

Dr. Ryno Tope is a Doctor of Chiropractic, a member of the New Zealand Chiropractic Association, and owner of Structural Chiropractic in Hastings, Hawke’s Bay. Dr. Tope focuses on an area of chiropractic called Structural Correction and has been in practice for 6 years. You can reach Dr. Tope at drryno@structuralchiro.co.nz or 06•651•1004. You can also follow the Structural Chiropractic Facebook page (www.facebook.com/StructuralChiropracticHB).