Chiropractic Care for Kids
It may be difficult to imagine that a child, let alone a baby, would need chiropractic care. Children seldom complain of pain the way adults do and their little bodies bounce back from injuries and falls, almost like they are made out of rubber.
The truth is, children’s bodies are under a lot of stress while they are growing, learning, and playing. It is important to keep them healthy by being proactive and intentional. In fact, birth is the first big trauma that all of us experience in life, because great force is generated getting baby out whether it is via a Cesarean or vaginal birth.
Pediatric Chiropractor in Shakopee
Pediatric Chiropractor Kristen Hager is passionate about helping children reach their full potential. An avid learner, she had completed over 300 hours of post-doctorate work in pediatric studies. She will complete the final research project to receive her full prenatal and pediatric certification through the Academy of Chiropractic Family Practice and Council on Chiropractic Pediatrics this year. Dr. Hager is a member of the International Chiropractic Pediatrics Association (ICPA) and Webster Certified.
Nervous System and Optimal Development
The nervous system is the body’s master controller and is consists of the brain, the spinal cord, and all of the nerves connecting out to and returning back from the body. It regulates all of the other body systems, from blood flow to bone growth, from brain function to immunity, from digesting food to eliminating waste. When the nervous system has clear communication throughout the body, then the whole body is able to function more efficiently and effectively.
The most critical time for proper nerve communication is from birth through age five. This is the time period where the most body growth and brain development happens. And it happens quickly! This time period of development sets the foundation for how the child’s brain and body will work for her entire life.
Stressors and traumas can interrupt the nervous system’s coordination of growth and brain development. These can take the form of physical trauma (like birth or a fall), emotional stressors (like crying-it-out too early in development), or chemical insults (ingested internally or exposed to skin and lungs from the environment).
When the stressors and trauma stain the nervous system, your child’s overall health, behavior, and development may suffer. Pediatric chiropractic care is a safe, gentle and non-invasive technique that works to correct underlying issues before they become hard-wired during development, providing support for a pain-free and successful childhood.
How Can I Tell If My Child Needs Chiropractic Care?
We believe in the importance of every child getting checked by a pediatric chiropractor as soon after birth as possible, to remove any interference in their vulnerable nervous system. We recommend every child gets check regularly through their childhood. Especially after major traumas: falls from any significant height, falls with hard landings, impacts to the head or bottom, or after an injury that leaves visible bumps or major bruising, and after any broken bones.
We encourage babies to get checked periodically the first year, around the major milestones like rolling over, sitting on their own, crawling, standing, and walking, or a major growth spurt. Babies and children can also benefit from pediatric chiropractic care when they are teething, fighting recurrent illnesses or frequent ear infections, constipated, not sleeping well, or not behaving well. We encourage parents to look for signs that their child is under distress and know a chiropractic adjustment will help restore better communication within their nervous system.
For older children, parents can see the need for chiropractic care when there is poor posture, poor sleep, poor behavior, and recurrent sickness causing them to miss school. Older children may even complain of neck pain, back pain, or headaches. Many student athletes receive chiropractic care because of the extra stress of their additional activities and suffering sport injuries or overuse injuries; this being in addition to the normal demands of growing bodies and learning brains.
Pediatric Chiropractic – Care for Kids and Babies
Dr Kristen utilizes the safest, most gentle and effective chiropractic techniques for infants and children. Always following your child’s lead, they are respected and appreciated when delivering the chiropractic adjustment. We monitor their progress in development milestones, encouraging your child to reach milestones fully and robustly and in the proper sequence, which shows optimal brain development. Intentional parenting techniques and home care recommendations are included along the way, so parents have the tools to help stay on track between chiropractic visits.
If you are concerned about your child’s nervous system and development, schedule a phone consultation here to see how we can help.