Pediatric Care
Welcome to the section of our site dealing with the health issues of infants, children and teens.
This area provides parents with useful information necessary in raising a healthy family. Healthy habits are formed, or not formed, at a very early age. Thus, we urge parents to take an active role in their children's health and teach their children through healthy examples.
Come back often as we update, add and improve upon the site regularly. Also, if you have any suggestions or comments, please send them our way.
Chiropractic Care
Thousands of infants, children and adolescents benefit from the fruits of regular chiropractic care everyday. Chiropractic has become much more than an effective treatment for adult back pain. It has become a safe, effective health resource for all members of the family. Relief from pain, correction of neuromusculoskeletal conditions and overall health optimization for all ages is what chiropractic can provide.
In addition to providing safe, effective treatment for back pain, scoliosis, headaches and the more obvious "chiropractically responsive" treatments in the young, we can also provide effective care for many other conditions. Common childhood conditions such as ear infections, asthma and infantile colic - to name a few - have been shown to respond favorably to chiropractic treatments.
Chiropractic is a holistic approach to the treatment and management of health conditions. Chiropractic care encompasses a wide variety of safe, natural and noninvasive treatments. This includes chiropractic spinal adjustments, exercise and stretching programs, diet and nutritional counseling, soft tissue techniques, to name a few. In experienced hands, chiropractic care can provide your infant, child or adolescent with a lifetime of health and happiness.
We invite you to browse through the links and learn how chiropractic care may increase the health of your child. From scoliosis to back pain, ear infections to infantile colic, chiropractors are leading the way in the natural and safe treatment of common childhood ailments. If you have additional questions, be sure to contact our office to speak with the doctor personally or schedule an appointment.
The Growing Spine
- Spinal Length and Growth
- Spinal Curve Development
- Spinal Trauma
- Where is this leading?
- Has your child's spine been checked?
Spinal Length and Growth
At birth, the spinal column comprises 40% of the total length of the infant - identical to the adult. However, the average length of the spinal column in the newborn is just 24 cm or 9.6 inches. The spinal column grows 50% in length during the baby's first year of life. Over the following 4 years the spine will continue to grow another 15 cm reaching a length of 51 cm or 20.4 inches. From ages 5-10, the spine grows an additional 10 cm. Once puberty is reached and until the age of 18 the spine will typically grow another 20 cm in males and 15 cm in females.
Spinal Curve Development
The shape of the spine at birth is similar to the shape of the letter "C". At around the age of 3 months, as the baby raises it's head, the cervical spine gains it's "lordosis" or reversed "C" shape curve. Around 6 months of age, the infant adopts a seated and standing posture and the lower back - lumbar spine - also becomes lordotic or "C" shaped in nature.
Spinal Trauma
During the birthing process, there is a relatively small area to pass through considering the size of the infant. During the delivery process, in order to minimize discomfort of the mother and baby, abnormally excessive and unnatural forces are commonly used. This can and commonly does result in injuries to the infant's spine - especially the cervical spine. As the months and years go by, the spine grows and develops at a very rapid pace. When the baby begins to crawl and then walk, a number of seemingly minor falls and collisions will occur as balance and the knowledge of physics is still developing. As the youngster proceeds through childhood, the minor collisions become severe and more frequent. The physical traumas will continue into adolescence especially in the active and athletic youngsters.
Where is this leading?
Well, it should be evident that from the time of birth all the way through childhood and adolescence the spine is subject to a number of traumatic and injurious stresses. This is why chiropractic doctors also recommend regular chiropractic care for infants, children, and teens. Given the events that typically occur during those growing years, it would be appropriate to say that regular chiropractic care is actually more appropriate for youngsters than for adults. While we don't want to minimize the importance of regular chiropractic care in adults and seniors we do want to highlight the importance of chiropractic care in the young.
Has your child's spine been checked?
Having your child's spine checked for problems is important - perhaps more so than having your children's teeth checked for cavities. While we do not wish to irresponsibly or unprofessionally scare parents into bringing their children in for spinal checkups, we do feel it is our responsibility to inform parents about the importance and value of appropriate spinal care. If you are interested in scheduling an appointment for your child or perhaps have questions, we welcome you to call and schedule a consultation or request to speak directly to the doctor - we believe your child's health is worth it.