Pediatrics and pregnant women are two special groups of people who benefit greatly from chiropractic care, but are not always aware of it. Subluxations, or misalignments of bones that can create pain, inflammation, and interference in communication between the brain and end structure, effect everyone.

Pediatrics: Most people do not think of children needing chiropractic care because children do not have pain beyond the scraped knee or bruised elbow. They don’t sit at a desk hours on end and have upper
back and neck stress and tension. This is a misconception however! Children can have areas of pain,but may not be able to convey it to an adult. Or perhaps the do not have pain, but a subluxation, is brewing unbeknownst to the child or the child’s parent. Children set themselves up everyday to injure or subluxate their bodies. Jumping out of trees, swinging upside down on the playground, wrestling with friends, sitting in awkward positions for hours while playing video games, flying down a hill on a skateboard…on their belly. What most parents don’t realize, is that their child’s first subluxation often occurs during the birthing process.

Examining an infant and adjusting if needed, is the ideal way to start off a new life. Any subluxations that exist have been there for only a short period of time – days, weeks, hours, depending on how quickly the baby can be examined. It is much easier to remove a subluxation that has only been there for a couple days, versus a subluxation that has been festering for 20+ years.

Unless a child has an obvious problem, or has been seriously injured, it can be difficult for a parent to recognize when a child’s spine is not working correctly. Here are some signs that can indicate spinal problems and the need for a chiropractic check up:

• disturbed sleeping patterns
• breastfeeding difficulties in the very young
• restricted head or neck movement to one side
• one shoulder higher than the other
• being pigeon-toed (feet pointing in towards each other)

While chiropractic can not claim to cure any of the following conditions, it has been seen there is a strong link in children between subluxations/spinal dysfunction and:

• recurrent ear infections
• persistent sore throats and colds
• colic/reflux
• asthma
• headaches
• bed wetting and/or constipation
• growing pains
• ADHD

Pregnancy: During pregnancy, there are many changes that occur in preparation for creating the environment for the developing baby.
The following changes can result in subluxated, misaligned spine or joints:

• Protruding abdomen and increased back curve
• Pelvic changes
• Postural adaptations

Chiropractic care during, before and after pregnancy is essential for establishing pelvic balance and alignment. An unbalanced pelvis is misaligned and may reduce the amount of room available for the developing baby. It may also make it difficult for the baby to get into the ideal position for delivery. This can interfere with a mother’s birthing plan if she chooses to have a natural, non-invasive birth.

In addition to creating pelvic balance, there are many potential benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy:

• Maintaining a healthier pregnancy
• Reducing the time of labor and delivery
• Relieving back, neck or joint pain
• Preventing a potential cesarean delivery