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The most common reason people go to a Chiropractor is because they have neck or back pain. So they figure why take my child to a Chiropractor when they’re not in pain? That’s a major misconception! Chiropractors work with your nervous system, which is comprised of your brain and spinal cord. We make sure your nervous system is free of any interference that may cause you to not function at 100%. These interferences are what Chiropractors call subluxations or misalignments. The spine is what protects and houses the spinal cord, so wouldn’t you say that the health of your spine is pretty important to the health of your nervous system? This is why children should receive chiropractic care. It’s not always about pain, but how is their brain functioning and developing? They are growing and developing so much within those first few years of life that you want them to grow at their fullest potential!
ONE: BIRTH
When babies are born, no matter how well labor and birth went, it was still a process for mom and baby. A baby’s spine, especially the top of their cervical spine (the neck), is such a delicate structure that undergoes considerable stress during delivery. Misalignments in the upper cervical spine can lead to latching issues, nursing/feeding issues, torticollis, acid reflux, sleeping issues and constipation to name a few. This is why we recommend babies get checked as soon as possible after birth. Baby's skull is also very moldable and pliable as an infant. This is why babies are more prone to flat spots on their head which can lead to helmet wearing. This can help be prevented if we know why baby is preferring a side or anything else (like oral restrictions) that may cause baby to develop flattening of the cranium.
TWO: DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES
As parents we’re always watching and counting our baby’s milestones right?, I know I did. Are they lifting their head at 3 weeks, grabbing things at 3 months, crawling by 6 months and walking by 12 months? Every milestone is so important because it’s a new brain connection being made. Each one crucial in leading to the next developmental milestone. The biggest milestone is crawling around 6 months. When babies start to crawl in that cross crawl pattern, they are connecting the right and left brain and forming vital connections. This helps them with hand eye coordination, balance and to be ready for walking later on. There is only one way of crawling and every other way you see is just a variation of crawling. Chiropractors look for this and make sure babies are crawling in that cross crawl pattern to ensure proper brain development. When babies don’t crawl in this way, something is going on structurally or developmentally in baby that makes it uncomfortable for them to do the cross crawl. So they “crawl” in whichever way feels right to them and makes them feel balanced. There are adjustments and exercises chiropractors can do with kids to help get that connection back. In the first year of life it's definitely recommended
THREE: RETAINED PRIMITIVE REFLEXES
What are primitive reflexes and why are they on this list? Babies are born with instinctive primitive reflexes to help them survive and thrive in their new world. The sucking, rooting, grasping, Babinski’s, etc. are all primitive reflexes that are checked throughout their first year of life. But did you know that these reflexes are supposed to go away by 12 months of age? When they’re retained, it can cause other issues in your child like poor coordination and balance, clumsiness, over activity or over sensitivity, poor handwriting and reading, difficulty learning, difficulty differentiating left and right and the list continues. Chiropractors check for these retained primitive reflexes that may be contributing to your child’s ability to grow and develop to their fullest potential. But fear not, through adjustments and exercises these retained primitive reflexes can be corrected. Again, Chiropractors deal with so much more than pain, that’s just a symptom of what is really going on under the “hood”. We get to the root and cause of these symptoms and look first to your nervous system. The very system you live your everyday life through. So wouldn’t you say its pretty important that it functions properly, especially in your child? Learn more about retained primitive reflexes here.
If you’d like to learn more don’t hesitate to click that Take Action tab and give our office a call or email us at info@fulshearkatychiro.com