Pediatric Treatment In Franklin, TN
By the time an adult has reached us, they have had ample opportunities to have a subluxation or spinal misalignment. We could have prevented numerous issues if we had treated these adults as children. Since kids undergo many physical changes and challenges as they develop, it is imperative to ensure they have a good foundation.
Preventative pediatric chiropractic care helps ensure proper physical and neurological development takes place. One of the most traumatic experiences the human spine can experience is going through the birthing canal; no one is exempt! They are being pulled and twisted in many ways during birth, affecting their body’s essential systemic operations.
If left uncorrected, nerve dysfunction can make kids susceptible to colic, ear infections, allergies, and asthma. 17% of chiropractic patients are younger than 18 years old, and 8% are younger than five years ago. It is certainly safe for kids of all ages.
Chiropractic pediatric care is an excellent natural, non-invasive remedy for many developmental issues, childhood illnesses, and injuries. Young children can repair themselves faster than older ones. To prevent chronic conditions that could progress into adulthood, leading to dysfunction and degeneration, seeing a chiropractor earlier is better.
Pediatric Chiropractic Care for Kids at Each Stage of Their Development
Newborn Chiropractic (Birth to 1 Month)
The spine undergoes trauma during the birthing process; some babies endure 70 pounds of pressure on their neck and head. This causes misalignments which, if left uncorrected, can produce numerous issues in the future. Subluxations disrupt the brain-body communication, which does not set them up for success.
Some issues that chiropractic can help with are:
- ADD/ADHD
- Asthma
- Autism
- Bedwetting
- “Birth trauma”
- Hypertension
- Cerebral palsy
- Crohn’s disease
- Colitis
- Colic
- The common cold
- Constipation
- Car infections
- Epilepsy
- Headaches
- Low immunity
- Sinus and respiratory infections
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Sleep disturbances
- Stuttering
- Tonsillitis
- Tourette’s Syndrome
When we adjust babies, only a slight tap can move their bones since they are so soft. Regularly getting adjusted helps their spinal column develop an established foundation from which to grow.
Infant Chiropractic (1 Month to 1 Year)
Chiropractic care has played a role in successfully treating babies with trouble latching and breastfeeding, underdeveloped digestive systems, acid reflux, ear infections, and more. The sooner we identify and correct their misalignments, the better!
Chiropractic for Toddlers (1-3 Years)
Kids fall 10-20 times a day while learning to walk, increasing their risk of subluxations in developing bodies. Chiropractic gets to the root cause of the misalignment and performs adjustments to correct those subluxations to optimize the nerve function running out of each vertebra.
Preschool Chiropractic (3-5 Years)
As kids develop their speech and social skills, their brains must constantly communicate without disrupting their bodies. Active kids are prone to injury, but those injuries may not always be visible to the naked eye. It is important to clear the misalignments often.
School Age (5-12 Years)
Once kids hit their growth spurts, conditions like scoliosis could develop if not caught early on. Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine. When you look at a spine from the side, you will notice three distinct curves are present: a cervical curve (neck), a thoracic curve (upper and middle back), and a lumbar curve (lower back). These curves are normal and healthy since they allow the spine to act like a shock-absorbing spring protecting against the constant forces applied to it through everyday life.
When you look at a spine from the front or back, it should appear as a straight line up and down. When side-to-side curvatures are present in this view, this is called scoliosis. It is a condition that affects 3% of the US population, but in roughly 90% of the cases, it is not severe enough to warrant any surgery. It affects females more commonly than men. Detecting it earlier is helpful so it can be corrected before the person reaches full spinal development at age 25.
Chiropractic for Teenagers (12-18 Years)
Sports injuries become more common as the child grows up and becomes more involved in different physical activities. Teens also experience the mental and emotional benefits of adjustments by releasing stress, reducing insomnia, and improving mood and cognition.
Pediatric Chiropractic Care
Comprehensive History and Exam
One of the first things we do at Mission Health Center in Franklin, TN, is to meet with you and your child to discuss your cases and get to know your histories. This will help us begin to identify the root cause of whatever the issue is and establish the appropriate goals. Once we have reviewed your case, we will determine if an examination is warranted. Our comprehensive examination includes specific chiropractic function, orthopedic, and neurological tests performed to help us understand and get to the root cause. These non-invasive tests help us holistically understand where to begin to serve you best!
Nutrition and Supplements
MyPlate is the official governmental guideline on how to balance foods. It is divided into four sections: 40% vegetables, 30% grains, 20% proteins, and 10% fruits. It also shows a small circle which typically represents dairy in the form of milk or yogurt.
Ideally, the plate should be mostly whole foods instead of processed ones. Not only are whole foods lower in added sugar, preservatives, and chemicals, but they are also higher in the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants necessary to optimize child nutrition.
Consuming nutrient-dense foods, drinking water, minimizing added sugar intake, and avoiding trans fats are some of the best practices for ensuring your child will develop healthily!
Some of the best supplements to optimize your child’s health from Dr. Axe are below:
- Fiber: 14 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories consumed
- Calcium: 260 mg for infants 0-12 months, 700 mg for children ages 1-3, and 1,300 mg for children over 4
- Iron: 11 mg for infants 0-12 months, 7 mg for children ages 1-3, and 18 mg for children over 4
- Vitamin B12: 0.5 mg for infants 0-12 months, 0.9 mg for children ages 1-3, and 2.4 mg for children over 4
- Vitamin C: 50 mg for infants 0-12 months, 15 mg for children ages 1-3, and 90 mg for children over 4
- Vitamin D: 10 mg for infants 0-12 months, 15 mg for children ages 1-3, and 20 mg for children over 4
- Vitamin E: 5 mg for infants 0-12 months, 6 mg for children ages 1-3 and 15 mg for children over 4
Common Childhood Conditions
Reflux
If your child shows signs of reflux and cannot keep food down, chiropractic can help by relieving the pressure on the nerve running into their digestive tract.
Colic
This condition affects one in six newborns. Inconsolable crying and fussing are tough on parents. Instead of parents being exhausted and told to “wait it out,” they should look into chiropractic adjustments as a means of treatment.
Issues with Crawling, Standing, or Other Movements
It is important that your child have ‘tummy time’ to develop their motor skills, muscle strength, and brain growth. Crawling is a sign of proper physical and neurological development, helping to form the correct spine curvature. Musculoskeletal issues are a chiropractor’s sweet spot in their ability to help significantly.
Asthma
5% of kids have childhood asthma due to inherited factors and environmental allergens. When there is restricted breathing, there can be a misalignment in the thoracic spine, compressing the nerves running to the lungs. Chiropractic adjustments help regulate respiration and lung capacity.
Constipation
Between 5-28% of children suffer from constipation. That is not normal and can be worse when the child fears going when they have the urge due to the potential pain. Traditional western medicine might prescribe suppositories or laxatives; however, chiropractors can adjust the area affecting the respective nerves and restore digestive function naturally. There can be instant relief sometimes!
Bedwetting
10-15% of kids wet the bed until age six, which brings embarrassment and frustration for kids and parents, possibly affecting relationships and self-esteem. Most bed-wetting happens at night because kids don’t recognize they have to urinate; subluxations prevent the proper signals from being relayed. Chiropractic focuses on improving brain-body communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is chiropractic pediatric care safe for a child?
Yes! It is the best, non-invasive solution to help optimize your child’s immune system and correct any issues they are experiencing.
When should you take children to a chiropractor in Franklin, TN?
As soon as possible! At Mission Health Center, we love seeing whole families because everyone can benefit from ridding their spines of subluxations that can lead to major imbalances in the body if left uncorrected. By starting when kids are young or, better yet, first born, they can begin life with a great foundation as they grow older.
What age can a child start seeing a chiropractor?
Any age is the perfect age – we see patients in our office from newborns to 92 years old!
Is pediatric chiropractic the same as chiropractic for adults?
The philosophy is the same – everyone benefits from regular chiropractic adjustments; however, our methods and therapies may differ. We may perform lighter hand manipulations or use an Activator instrument for a more specific adjustment, depending on what is needed.