Infants And Chiropractic

Chiropractic focuses on the relationship between the spine and the nervous system. The nervous system controls bodily processes by sending vital information from the brain to every single cell, organ and muscle in the body. Majority of the right brain, which controls emotions, processing, understanding social cues, facial recognition develops within the first three years of life. Whereas the left side, which is associated with reasoning, problem solving and language abilities develop between 3-6 years of life. Where the brain meets the spine, also known as the medulla is where a number of involuntary functions are regulated such as breathing and your heart rate. Since the brain and spine are closely connected, misalignments in the spine can break down the communication between the two resulting in developmental delays in the brain. 

Misalignments in Infants come from stressors which can compromise the spine and therefore affect nervous system functioning. Such stressors can include intrauterine constraints during pregnancy and the birthing process. A “safe” and “fast” delivery can still put a lot of stress on the newborn's spine resulting in nerve dysfunction.

Signs of nerve dysfunction may include: 

Colic

Delayed developmental milestones

Difficulty nursing 

Trouble breathing

Sleeping difficulties

Research

Research was done on one hundred “healthy babies” that did not have any medically diagnosed conditions. 

- 90% of these babies had a problem with the way their neck and lower back was moving. 

- Longer labour resulted in greater problems with the way the bones of the spine/skull of the infant was moving. 

Chiropractic care aims to resolve these issues so that your baby can get the best possible start to life. Better alignment of the spine encourages better brain development and overall health and function.

Our Approach For Pregnancy & Paediatric Care

• Gentle and effective treatment

• Comfort with pregnancy cushions

• Relieve pain

• Safe for babies and children

What To Expect At Your First Chiropractic Visit

An initial Chiropractic exam for babies and kids will typically have three parts: a consultation, case history, and physical examination. Laboratory analysis and X-ray examination may be performed.

1. Consultation. The patient meets with the chiropractor and provides a brief synopsis of lifestyle factors and concerns, such as:

   • Duration and frequency of symptoms

   • Description of the symptoms (e.g. burning, throbbing)

   • Areas of pain

   • What makes the pain feel better (e.g. sitting, stretching)

   • What makes the pain feel worse (e.g. standing, lifting)

   • Lifestyle factors

2. Case history. The chiropractor identifies the area(s) of complaint and the nature of the stress involved by asking questions and learning more about different areas of the patient's history, including:

   • Family history

   • Dietary habits

   • Past history of other treatments (chiropractic, osteopathic, medical and other)

   • Occupational history

   • Psychosocial history

   • Other areas to probe, often based on responses to above questions

   • Physical examination. A chiropractor may utilize a variety of methods to determine the spinal segments that require chiropractic treatments, including but not limited to static and motion palpation techniques determining spinal segments that are hypo mobile (restricted in their movement) or fixated. Depending on the results of the above examination, a chiropractor may use additional diagnostic tests, such as:

     1. X-ray to locate subluxations (the altered position of the vertebra)

     2. A device that detects the temperature of the skin in the paraspinal region to identify spinal areas with a significant temperature variance that requires manipulation.

        Chiropractors are trained in a variety of methods to assess the underlying cause of the problem, including:

        1. Evaluation and management services. Chiropractors are trained in examining the joints, bones, muscles and tendons of the spine, head, extremities and other areas of the body with the purpose of noting any misalignment, tenderness, asymmetry, defects or other problems.

           Neurologic and other common physical examination procedures. Chiropractors are trained to perform a variety of neurologic tests (nerve root compression/tension, motor strength, coordination, deep tendon and pathological reflexes, etc.) and are skilled in performing orthopedic, cardiovascular and many other common examinations.

           Specialised assessment. Chiropractors are trained to assess range of motion, stability, muscle strength, muscle tone and other assessments with the lower back.

           Common diagnostic studies. Chiropractors are trained in use of diagnostic studies and tools such as radiography (X-rays), laboratory diagnostics and neurodiagnostics.

References:

1. https://vitalitypc.com/3-things-to-know-about-brain-development-and-chiropractic-car e/

2. https://www.nzchiropractors.org/about-chiropractic/infants-and-children/

3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S155083071100036X https://www.arbucklechiropractic.com/pediactric-chiropractic

4. https://chiromt.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12998-021-00371-8

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