ChiroAid
Family and Pediatric Chiropractic Clinic in Bethesda
Marina Alterman, D.C., F.I.P.C.A.
301-951-0014
ChiroAid, Marina Alterman, D.C.
4641 Montgomery Avenue, Suite 410
Bethesda, MD 20814
ph: 301-951-0014
fax: 301-951-0744
DrAlterm
Children and Chiropractic
Many people do not realize that chiropractic treatment can be of benefit to babies and children. There is a fairly strong body of evidence that chiropractic treatment is more effective in the management of infantile colic than most conventional treatments. Doing gentle cranial adjustments or mobilisations to their necks is the way chiropractors treat babies with colic. More and more children are suffering from back pain because of their fairly sedentary posture in front of computers or because they have to carry heavy cases to school. Chiropractors give advice on how to balance the load when carrying and how to sit properly. When we are growing it is probably more important to get our spines checked than at any other time. Our bones and joints are very supple when we are growing and sports injuries and falls can produce long-term problems if they are not addressed early.
Spinal problems in children can occur as a result of the frequent falls suffered by young infants in the first months of life. A fall from a bed, a sudden stop in an automobile, or even falling as they learn to walk are innocent, frequently occurring events can create spinal subluxations.
Chiropractors have been adjusting children's spines for most of the 100 years since chiropractic was first established, and chiropractic has an excellent safety record. Spinal adjustments for infants and young children involve very light finger-tip adjustments to correct malfunctioning spinal structures. A light spinal adjustment, using no more than two pounds of pressure, is usually sufficient to restore mobility to spinal joints which have become locked and are causing interference with the normal function of the nervous system.
According to Dr. Alan Rosenthal's excellent and very interesting children's book, Show Me Where It Hurts, “When is the best time to start seeing a chiropractor? It is before a small problem is becoming a big one ... We try to keep our children's teeth free of cavities and take them to the dentist. In other words, begin as early in life as possible ... A healthy, properly functioning spine is just as or more important than teeth to give children a healthy start in life, which is one of the greatest gifts parents can give to their children."
Common Questions Asked by Parents
Why should a child get checked by a Doctor of Chiropractic?
Doctors of Chiropractic work with reducing spinal nerve stress by correcting spinal misalignments. Since the master control system of the body is the nervous system, its proper function is imperative for overall health and well-being.
Children are susceptible to trauma in their spines from various activities and events. Birth in our society can often be a traumatic event, even if operative devises are not used. Routine force applied to the baby’s head and neck can cause damage. Simple micro traumas from diapering techniques to excessive time in infant seats can also affect the developing spine and interfere with nerve system function. The resulting interference to this vital system decreases their bodies’ ability to function normally.
Although symptoms, such as pain and malfunction may not show up for years, injury affecting their vital nervous system may be present immediately and have a lifetime of damaging effects.
When should a child get checked?
Children should be checked right after they are born because birth can be very traumatic to the baby's spine and cranium.. Even the most natural births are traumatic to the infant and may cause “hidden damage”. Studies show that many children who experience symptoms of colic, ear-infections and asthma have spinal subluxations impairing their nervous system function. With specific chiropractic adjustments, these children experience a greater quality of life and health.
It is important to realize that the absence of symptoms does not indicate a healthy spine and nervous system. Only routine checks by a Doctor of Chiropractic can determine if the child’s spine needs care. Early detection and correction of spinal misalignment with chiropractic prevents accumulated damage to children’s developing nervous systems and has lifelong benefits to their overall health.
Will the adjustment hurt my child?
Chiropractors specializing in the care of children use very specific, gentle techniques.. In the very young, the adjustment is as light as a finger touch. Infants often sleep through their adjustment and older children willingly relax and enjoy the care.
How do I know where I should take my child?
All Doctors of Chiropractic are licensed to care for children. Many Doctors of Chiropractic have taken post-graduate classes on specific techniques for pregnant mothers, infants and children to enhance their skills in this field. Chiropractors specializing in children use very specific, gentle techniques to care for children. On the very young, the adjustment is as light as a finger touch. Doctors of Chiropractic who are members of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) have taken post-graduate classes on specific techniques for pregnant mothers, infants and children to enhance their skills in this field and their addresses could be found at the ICPA website.
ChiroAid, Marina Alterman, D.C.
4641 Montgomery Avenue, Suite 410
Bethesda, MD 20814
ph: 301-951-0014
fax: 301-951-0744
DrAlterm
