The benefits of chiropractic for children

Are you a parent wondering if chiropractic care could help your child? Then read on. In this article, we’ve taken a closer look at the benefits of chiropractic for children. Ranging from reducing pain to improving sleep and boosting the immune system. Read on to find out how chiropractic care can be helpful for kids. 

6 benefits of paediatric chiropractic care 

Chiropractic care isn’t just for adults. In many cases, it can be extremely beneficial to children’s health, helping to treat and prevent a range of conditions. Chiropractors mainly treat neuro-musculoskeletal problems such as back and neck pain, joint pain, and tension headaches. 

Whilst most generally kids don’t experience these kinds of body aches, chiropractic care can help with health issues like ear, nose and throat infections, digestive issues, colic and poor sleep. Ideally, the aim of chiropractic care should be to prevent problems rather than cure existing issues. Some of the key benefits of chiropractic for children can be found below. 

Boosting the immune system

Runny noses, coughs and fevers can be rough for children and parents alike, especially if it seems like they never go away. If your child suffers regular ear, nose or throat infections, the problem could be a poorly functioning immune system. Regular chiropractic care can help to improve their immune health, helping them to better fight off illnesses. A stronger immune system not only means they won’t get sick as often but it also means less time off school. 

Improving digestive health

Digestive issues are fairly common in children, with GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease), IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and lactose intolerance some of the main causes. Chiropractic care has been shown to improve digestion, relieve constipation and help alleviate reflux to reduce stomach aches and other symptoms that children complain of.

Reducing colic 

Colic is when a baby cries a lot but there is no obvious cause. Whilst clearly distressing for the baby, it can be worrying for the parents too to have to watch their child so upset. Chiropractic care can sometimes treat infantile colic effectively. There’s evidence that baby chiropractic adjustments can significantly improve colic symptoms. A 3-month long scientific study carried out in 2012 established that chiropractic treatment may help reduce colic. In the study, 94% of the subjects experienced improved symptoms.

Better sleep 

Sleep is crucial for a child’s development. Not only does it help them to function better during the day, but grow physically and mentally. Spinal misalignments can disrupt children’s sleep, sometimes significantly. Poor spinal health can cause muscles to become tight, resulting in back pain that can cause insomnia. It can also be the root cause of bedwetting that can interrupt sleep and be a cause of concern for parents of older children. Gentle chiropractic adjustments can realign the spine and reduce nerve interference, helping children to get the sleep they need.

Improving behaviour 

Pain can cause children to feel stressed both physically and emotionally, resulting in them acting out since they don’t know any other way to cope. By reducing pain and discomfort and increasing movement and function, chiropractic care can help to improve behaviour in children. Chiropractic care can reduce pain, often significantly, alleviating stress and improving a child’s mood and overall behaviour.

ADHD 

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) can make life difficult for children and parents alike. Kids with this condition can be restless, easily distracted and have trouble concentrating. Small-scale studies have shown very promising results for the effect of chiropractic care on ADHD symptoms, including discovering that spinal manipulations were 24% more effective than standard ADHD medications. Chiropractic is considered to be a safe and natural treatment for the condition. Although it’s unlikely to replace medication any time soon, it can be useful to integrate this type of care into a children’s treatment plan.

Is chiropractic care safe for children?

In most cases, chiropractic care is completely safe for children. There are no specific risks associated with carrying out chiropractic adjustments on young patients, with no evidence to suggest that it causes them harm. To be sure that chiropractic adjustments are being performed on your child as safely as possible, it’s vital to choose a chiropractor carefully. Make sure they’re registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC). Legally, all chiropractors need to be registered with the GCC.

At what age can a child visit a chiropractor?

There’s no minimum age for a child to receive chiropractic care. A youngster can visit our chiropractors in Doncaster at any age, starting at just a few months old. Birth can be a traumatic event for the spine, making it a primary cause of illness in children. At Thorne Road Chiropractic Clinic, we’re able to treat babies and children of all ages. If you’re not sure if your child is old enough or if chiropractic care is suitable for their needs, talk to our team who will be happy to advise you. 

Chiropractors in Doncaster 

Finding skilled chiropractors near you couldn’t be easier. At Thorne Road, we’re widely considered one of the leading chiropractic clinics in Doncaster, serving people throughout the city and the surrounding areas. We can treat adults and children of all ages and with a wide range of health conditions, using the best, most effective methods to achieve real and long-lasting results. We’re on hand to answer any questions you may have about chiropractic care children.

Contact us 

Now you know the many benefits of chiropractic for children, you may be interested in visiting our experienced chiropractors in Doncaster. Call us on 01302 969 501 to discuss your requirements and book a consultation. Alternatively, send us a message via our website and we’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.