Chiropractic Care and Children (Part 2)

Continued from Part 1...

As running, footy, soccer, swimming, dance, biking, surfing, gymnastics and school become part of an older child's regular routine, small yet significant spinal misalignments and nerve interference can occur and build up.  Chiropractors call these misalignments subluxations.  Subluxations can manifest themselves in the form of such things as pain, muscle tension, decreased immunity, troubles with digestion and breathing, poor posture and gait abnormalities.  Any interference to the vital nervous system will adversely affect the body's ability to function at it's best.  Chiropractic has been shown to 

be very effective in managing special cases, such as asthma, recurrent headaches, learning difficulties, attention deficit disorder and scoliosis.

As Chiropractors, we do not simply treat the disease, condition or illness.  Our expertise is in checking the child's spine for subluxations that impair nervous system function and in removing the subluxations.  In this way, we restore the body's innate ability to work optimally.  The nervous system controls and coordinates all the systems in the body: circulation, respiration, digestion, hormonal, locomotion, eliminative and immune.  Depending on the severity and location of the subluxation, every and all systems may be affected.

A pediatric examination is very similar to an adult examination; it is modified to accomodate the child's size, weight, age and unique spinal condition.  May parents are initially concerned with the amount of force used in a pediatric Chiropractic adjustment.  We will use gentle low force Chiropractic techniques.  Manual pediatric adjustments do not require as much force as the adjustments for adults.  

Hopefully you are considering bringing in your child to have their spine and nervous system assessed.  Please use that opportunity to address any questions and concerns that you may have regarding their care.  

Sincerely,

Dr. J Susan Falk

Chiropractor

Chiropractic Care and Children (Part I)

A growing number of parents are seeking Chiropractic care for their children as we are beginning to recognise that many of the spinal and cranial problems that are seen in adults and older children can begin as early as birth.  In addition, a number of newborn and infant complaints can also be traced back to nervous system stress and, therefore, can be relieved with Chiropractic adjustments.

Gestation and all birthing methods can stress a newborn's spine and their developing nervous system.  This spinal and cranial stress may lead to misalignment and the resulting irritation to the nervous system can cause many newborn health complaints: colic, breathing problems, nursing difficulties, sleep disturbances, allergic reactions and chronic infections.  Chiropractic adjustments re-align the spine and cranial joints, thereby eliminating irritation.

Since significant spinal trauma can occur at birth, it is prudent to have newborns checked within the first two months of life.  Natural childbirth, the use of forceps, vacuum extractors and caesarean sections are all potential traumas to spinal and cranial function.  As the infant grows and they begin to reach different physical milestones, such as holding their head up, rolling over, sitting, crawling and walking, more stress can be placed on the spine and its alignment.  In addition, as they are learning these new activities, many children will have falls and tumbles that can affect their spinal and cranial systems.  Therefore, it is also important for children to have regular check-ups throughout infancy and following any trauma.

Continued in Part 2

ANNOUNCEMENT!

Dr. Victoria Shoemaker Young will be returning to practice at Shelley Chiropractic on Tuesday October 7th, 2008.  Her clinic hours will be:

Tuesdays   3-6pm

Thursdays 3-6pm

Saturdays (alternating with Dr. Falk) 8-11am

Dr. Susan Falk's clinic hours as of Monday October 6th, 2008 will be:

Mondays   10-12:30pm, 3-6:30pm

Tuesdays   8-11:30am

Wednesdays                     2-6:30pm

Thursdays          OFF

Fridays      10-1pm

Saturdays (alternating with Dr. Shoemaker Young) 8-12pm