No matter how a baby entered this world, it was a very traumatic experience. Birth is often the cause of the first ‘subluxation’ a child will experience. An estimated 60-90 lbs. of force is typically applied to an infant’s neck during delivery (this would be like holding a baby by its head and pulling its body away). Although they do not express pain as we understand it, this trauma could be interfering with normal nervous system function and development.

As a baby grows and starts learning to hold its head up, sit, crawl and walk, spinal alignment is a key component to proper development. We like to think of that diaper as a bumper pad but every time they fall on their bottom or bump their head, shoulder, knees, and toes, are opportunities for subluxations or mis-alignments to occur. These micro-traumas can also have an effect on the function of the nervous system, as well as, with development. This is also the time when parents may begin to notice developmental delays, chiropractic can also help to address the root causes of these delays and develop a plan to help overcome these roadblocks.

Regular childhood activities are often the cause of small mis-alignment in the spine, while this may not affect the child right then, injuries during this period of rapid growth have the potential to develop into more serious problems later in life. After injuries, the next most common reason children are brought to the chiropractor is to address conditions such as colic, ear infections, asthma, allergies, and headaches. With proper spinal hygiene the nervous system is able to work more efficiently allowing the immune, circulatory, digestive, and respiratory systems to perform better as well.