Guest Post from Dr Andrea Perricone-Chiropractor
“But my child doesn’t have back pain, why should they see a Chiropractor?” — A very reasonable (and common) question for any parent to ask.
And you are absolutely right; your child may not have back pain but: they do have a spine and a nervous system (just like you!) that needs to function properly, free from interference and nerve stress. The focus of chiropractic is to ensure that your child’s nervous system has every opportunity to work efficiently and optimally. This will help give your little one the best andhealthiest start to life!
Read below for some other common questions: reasonable (and common) question for any parent to ask.
What are some of the common issues a Chiropractor sees in the pediatric population?
Infants: colic, poor latching during breastfeeding, difficulty turning head to one side (thus, breastfeeding only on one breast), poor sleep, constipation…among many others
Toddlers and up: bedwetting, chronic ear infections, asthma, allergies, frequent colds/flus, behavioural issues, development delays, falls and accidents…again, among many others
Do Chiropractic adjustments hurt? Are they safe for my little one?
No and Yes!
Chiropractic adjusting procedures are modified to fit a child’s size, weight, and unique spinal condition. They are both gentle and specific to the child’s developing spinal structures. Spinal adjustments for infants and young children involve very light fingertip pressure to correct spinal misalignments and nerve irritation. This amount of “force” is often not more than a finger touch – as much as you would use to test the ripeness of a tomato. Other techniques involve the use of hand-held instruments which offer specific and gentle correction.
What is spinal nerve stress/irritation?
Spinal nerve irritation (aka vertebral subluxation) is a misalignment of the bones of the spine causing tension and irritation to the surrounding nerves, muscles, and ligaments. The nerve system controls the function of our whole body. Therefore, any interference to it can have wide-ranging effects. In the pediatric population, this may show up as one of the many issues mentioned above.
How do little ones get nerve stress and irritation?
Physical, chemical, and emotional stressors all affect nerve system function. Physical stress may start in the womb, with the baby lying in a distorted or twisted manner (i.e. breech, transverse, etc.). In the newborn, a difficult or traumatic birth can introduce great stress to your little one’s spine and nerve system. As he/she grows up, normal childhood traumas can lead to issues if not corrected. Most of the time, the pain from the initial injury “goes away” however the damage incurred continues to affect the future function of your child’s nerve system and health.
Where can I find a Chiropractor who works with children?
Find a doctor in your area through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA)
http://icpa4kids.org/ – an organization that trains Chiropractors around the world how to better care for children and families alike.
Chiropractic care may be the missing link to help your little one have the healthiest start to life!
***Dr. Andrea Perricone is the owner of Living Well Family Chiropractic at Yonge & St. Clair. She has been trained by the ICPA and loves helping children of all ages enjoy healthier and happier lives!
1497 Yonge St. Suite 204 · 416-985-1911 · www.drperricone.ca
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