Elaine from Vassalboro asks, "Is chiropractic good for children and infants? How would I know if they need care?"

That is an excellent question, one that has been controversial for some time now. The answer is an emphatic "yes!" When a child is born, the mother is the one who receives most of the attention for the pain that she experiences. If you were to look at is from the babies point of view, you would see that it is very traumatic for them as well.

During delivery, the child’s head has to be push through a very small birth canal. Some specialists feel that the pressure on the child’s neck at this point would be equivalent to an adult pushing up am manhole cover with just their head. Often the child is "helped" out by the attending physician by means of pulling on the babies head with hands, suction or forceps. This pulling is not always straight. It often involves twisting or torquing. This is very traumatic on the infant’s neck and can lead to spinal subluxations.

As the child learns to crawl and walk, falling and bumping are a common occurrence. This can lead to spinal misalignments. Chiropractic treatment is the best for this because it helps to realign the spine. A few things to look for may indicate the need for care: the child has difficulty breastfeeding or feeds only to one side. The child turns or tilts his or her head only to one side. (children, like adults avoid doing things that are painful.) The child does not crawl. Ear infections and colic may be related to spinal misalignments. Also watch for changes in the child’s health that may have started after a fall or accident.

I hope this is helpful, and thank you for your question, Elaine.

Original publication The Town Line newspaper South China, ME 04358
Information contained herein furnished by Nadeau Chiropractic Wellness Center 2135 N. Belfast Ave, Augusta, ME