Many people would probably wonder
why a child should be checked by a Chiropractor. Surely they don't suffer from back pain, aching shoulders or neck? After all, large parts of their skeleton have not yet hardened to bone (ossified) and the growing cartilage is quite elastic. While this is true, it is equally true that knocks and falls can put the spine out of alignment thereby altering the output of the nervous system - similar to standing on a garden hose.

The Chiropractor calls this a Vertebral Subluxation, which - as a result of disturbed nerve function - changes:

• The transmission of pain,
• The tension and balance of muscles,
• The sensitivity of soft tissues (skin, fascia, tendons, ligaments, capsules)
• The proprioception of joints and the body at large (this is the sense of position in space which is critical for movement, balance and coordination)
• The performance of organs (such as stomach secretion, gut contraction or heart rate).

Running and jumping, wrestling with a sibling or pet, carrying heavy school bags, falling off a surf or skate board and other injuries are all part of a normal childhood and can cause such a vertebral subluxation.

 

In Denmark for instance it is now common practice to check babies spines for neck strain suffered during delivery. A study of nearly 300 babies in a German public hospital found that 90 to 95 % of babies with non-pathological, unexplained infantile colic, failure to thrive or poor sleeping responded favourably to Chiropractic adjustments - and that usually within 1-3 treatments!

The pain usually disappears quickly yet some of the nervous system disturbances persist. These 'painless' symptoms can be subtle such as a change in a child's sleep pattern, their eating habits, crying more than usual, suffering from headaches, being moody, clumsy, restless or hyperactive to name a few.

A gentle spinal adjustment, which is the Chiropractor's way of correcting vertebral subluxations, can also help children with emotional, behavioural and learning difficulties. By removing mechanical interferences the nervous system regains its true level of out put and lets a child reach its full potential. Sitting still to learn and concentrate, catching a ball or playing with friends suddenly are no longer dreaded tasks, sheets stay dry at night, headaches disappear and the child blossoms. Who wouldn't possibly want that for any child?