It is but natural to worry whether it is safe to take your child to a chiropractor. While different people have various opinions on this subject, studies do indicate that chiropractic care rendered by an experienced physician can have profound health benefits and is safe too. Here are the answers to a few of the questions that most parents ponder upon.
Q: Why would my child benefit from chiropractic care?
A: Yes indeed, chiropractors claim that children with properly aligned spines develop better immunity and have an opportunity to remain healthy.
Right from birth, kids go through several micro traumas and fall frequently as a part of growing up. What we overlook is the trauma that may be caused when they fall while trying to crawl, walk, and run. Chiropractic adjustments set any possible damage by such trauma right and give kids an edge over others by reducing physical stressors that they may face through their childhood.
A child’s spine develops rapidly in the first 10 years of his life. Unknown to you and your child, the most innocent daily activities, like wearing backpacks, getting injured on the playground, and even use of computers can lead to spinal misalignments that is called subluxations. Subluxations can put pressure on the child’s nervous system and hinder its normal functioning. This can in turn result in several symptoms related to the muscles and various other systems of the body. Some common symptoms include colic, and stomach ache, asthma, ear aches, frequent flu attacks, and even bed wetting. These symptoms, may be an evidence of stress to the spinal cord.
An experienced chiropractor can gently realign the child’s spine, reducing the pressure on the nervous system. This will help the body heal sooner. A few sessions with a good chiropractor will improve your child’s overall health and wellness.
Q: Is it safe for a young child to receive chiropractic treatment? At what age can they start?
A: Yes, it is safe for a child to see a chiropractor. In fact, many parents take their infants to a chiropractor to get relief from issues like colic and stomach ache.
Chiropractors have been adjusting children’s spines for over 10 decades. You will be glad to know that while chiropractic care has many proven and documented health benefits, it also has malpractice insurance coverage and is a low risk treatment.
These adjustments can commence even before the baby is born. A mother can begin receiving chiropractic care from the last trimester. A solid chiropractor can help align the mother’s pelvis so that she can have a safe vaginal birth.
Once the baby is born, a non-force pressure is given and kept to a bare minimum to relieve any stress that the baby’s spine may have endured during the birth. The infant should be checked on a regular basis for signs of any subluxations.
Q: Do chiropractors need any additional training or certification to treat children?
A: All chiropractors receive extensive pediatric training as a part of their doctoral studies. Additional training is also offered and taken up by several practicing pediatric chiropractors who are usually affiliated with well-known governing bodies like the “International Chiropractic Pediatric Association”.
Q: Is chiropractic care an expensive affair? Does insurance cover it?
A: Initial costs include evaluation and x-rays. The cost for the initial evaluation can be anything between $30-200.
Subsequent visits can range from $20 to $50 per visit. Most insurance plans cover pediatric care if it is deemed medically necessary by a general physician
