Childhood disorders and the spine
Many common childhood disorders may be the result of nervous system interference or malfunction caused by spine related problems. Chiropractic care is not a direct treatment for these problems, but is a way to improve spine related problems that could be causing or contributing your child’s illness. Below is a list of possible related health complaints for different age groups:
Infants to toddlers
The most critical time of spinal growth since it is during this period that the child also has the most minor traumas and repetitive stress injuries to the spine.
- Colic
- Unexplained crying
Poor appetite - Inability to nurse on both sides
- Earaches or ear infections
- Frequent colds
- Allergic reactions
- Crawling without symmetry, or crawling with dragging one leg behind
- Cannot turn head equally in both directions
Toddlers to Age 10
During this time your child will begin school and spend recess climbing on monkey bars, sliding down slides, playing sports and generally leaving themselves open to repeated falls and tumbles resulting.
- Hyperactivity
- Learning Disorders
- Bed wetting
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Growing pains
- Reduced range of motion when turning head
Age 10 to Age 15
By age 10 the effects of repetitive injury set in, and clear postural cues have set their course. Children by this age are most often evaluated for NUCCA care. Keep in mind that during this last stage of development, your child’s spinal growth will be greatly affected by most if not all of the following:
- Improper backpack loading and carrying
- Poor Posture
- Inactive lifestyle
- Repetitive Sports movements
- Typical sports injuries
- Overuse of computer
- Forward head posture
- Loss of cervical curve
Read about kids under chiropractic care from the parent’s perspective on the ICPA website.
