Chiropractic care is not limited to adults. Doctor of Chiropractic see patients of all ages, including infants, children, teenagers, and older adults.
Naturally, many parents ask an important question:
Is chiropractic care for children different than chiropractic care for adults?
The answer is yes.
When chiropractors care for children, they use modified techniques that are gentler and specifically designed for a child’s age, size, and condition.
When most people think of chiropractic care, they picture a spinal adjustment that creates a “popping” sound. While that type of treatment may sometimes be appropriate for adults, the techniques used for infants and children are often much lighter and more subtle.
Chiropractic care for children may also include:
- posture correction
- exercise instruction
- nutritional guidance
- behavioral or lifestyle counseling
- therapeutic approaches such as ice, heat, ultrasound, or stretching
Like many healthcare professionals, chiropractors may pursue additional post-graduate training and board certification. Pediatrics is one of those specialty areas.
So what does the research say?
Current research suggests that properly modified chiropractic care for children appears to be safe. However, more research is still needed to determine the best treatment approaches for specific conditions.
Research support currently exists for some musculoskeletal conditions in children and adolescents, especially low back pain.
There is also ongoing interest in chiropractic care for conditions such as:
- colic
- ear infections (otitis media)
- asthma
- bedwetting (enuresis)
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
At this time, however, the research on these non-musculoskeletal conditions is limited. While some case studies and smaller research trials have shown encouraging results, higher-quality studies are still needed before firm conclusions can be made.
For example, some experts have recommended a short four- to six-visit trial in infants with colic after more serious causes have been ruled out. Similar suggestions have been made for children with asthma or bedwetting.
The good news is that adverse effects from chiropractic care in children appear to be rare.
The bottom line is this:
When appropriately modified and provided by a trained Doctor of Chiropractic, chiropractic care may be a reasonable part of a child’s overall healthcare team.
