Child birth is hard work, whether the labor results in a natural or Cesarean birth. Labor can stress the infant’s spine and nervous system and cause a multitude of health problems that are considered common childhood illnesses. Common medical advice for these illnesses offers little explanation other than “they will just have to grow out of it”.
Some of these issues are colic, difficulty nursing, sleep disturbances, allergies, ear infections, constipation, lowered immune response, acid reflux and digestive disturbances, etc. These issues can often be traced back to stress within the nervous system and spine, which alters the function of the body and its organs and the biological processes within.
The nerve system controls and coordinates the function of all the systems in the body: circulatory, respiratory, digestive, hormonal, eliminative and immune system. Any aspect of health may be impaired by nerve interference. The chiropractic adjustment restores nerve system function allowing the body the ability to express a greater state of health and well-being. This ensures that the body is functioning properly, and your body is not as susceptible to malfunction and illness. It’s most important to understand that chiropractic is not a treatment for disease.
Chiropractic’s purpose is to reduce spinal nerve stress, a serious and often painless condition most children (and adults) have in their bodies. Spinal nerve stress interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system, can weaken internal organs and organ systems, lower resistance, reduce healing potential and set the stage for sickness and disorders of all kinds.
My son was checked and adjusted when he was 4 days old. My daughter was checked immediately after birth and was adjusted several times before we even left the hospital. It’s amazing what you learn with the first child that benefits the subsequent children. Checking an infant right away greatly reduces the chances of any negative effects of birthing trauma and allows the nervous system to get on the right track from the beginning, ensuring the baby will be given the best start at life!
Spinal nerve stress can be caused by physical, chemical and/or emotional stress. Physical stress may start in the womb, with the baby lying in a distorted or twisted manner. Spinal nerve stress in newborns is more common than previously realized. This may be caused by trauma during child birth, which can introduce great stress to the infant’s skull, spinal column and pelvis. Normal childhood traumas may also be a source of spinal and cranial trauma. Most of the time, the pain from the initial injury “goes away”, however the damage incurred continues to affect the future function of the child’s nerve system.
The spine changes between infancy and adulthood. Within the first years, the baby learns to hold their head up, crawl, roll over, and walk. These activities promote the spinal curve formations. These are important times in development to ensure that things are given every opportunity to form correctly. Chiropractic adjustments ensure that stressors on the spine and nervous system are eliminated, or greatly reduced to a minimum.
The act of an adjustment itself is gentle and relaxing. There are many ways to adjust the spine: manually, with light touch, with instruments of various types- mechanical or electrical, etc. Adjusting a child’s spine is different than adults due to it not being fully formed and hardened yet. Some people don’t care for the pop and snap approach. Some people love it. It doesn’t matter. There are many ways to accomplish the benefits of an adjustment and we can find a way that works for you and that you enjoy.
Today’s parents are more concerned than ever about the adverse effects drugs have on their children. Parents are increasingly asking when handed a prescription “Is this really all I can do for my child? Isn’t there a safer alternative?” Parents are hesitant to merely mask symptoms with drugs and are worried about side effects. Their desire to achieve a state of true health—has led parents to seek health care options which support their children’s own natural ability to be healthy. Chiropractic care may be the missing link in your child’s health regimen.
Dr. Haley Lance received a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Science from Auburn University. Upon graduating, she began school at Life Chiropractic College in Marietta, GA, where she met her husband, Dr. Justin Lance and graduated with her Doctorate of Chiropractic degree. You may find her practicing at the Eatonton location of Magnolia Medical Group on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays.
