Life is a miracle. Two cells become four, and four become eight, and so on until nine months later, a perfect human being enters the world. His little heart started beating at 24 days. Her eyes formed at 36 days. This miracle unfolds perfectly – unless there is interference. This is why children can benefit from chiropractic care before they are born by having a mother with a nervous system free from the interference of spinal subluxations. A subluxation is a misalignment in your spine that can cause problems such as back pain, neck pain, migraines, etc.
Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy
With pregnancy comes hormonal changes, a shift in body weight and a laxity of connective tissues. New stresses are experienced by the lower back and pelvis. Many women report that their pregnancies were easier and their delivery times shorter when they received chiropractic care.
Even today’s birthing procedures can put tremendous pressure on a child’s spine. And while the injury from forceps deliveries may be less common today, vacuum extraction and eager hands can cause damage by pulling, forcing and twisting the baby’s delicate spine.
Is a Chiropractic Examination Necessary?
Without the language to explain, many newborns experience colic, unexplained crying, lack of appetite, frequent ear infections or other signs of poor health. A chiropractic examination is essential to determine if birth trauma to the spine is involved. Then if indicated, a gentle, life-affirming adjustment is given. With no more pressure than you’d use to test the ripeness of a tomato, nerve-compromising subluxations can be reduced. Almost miraculously, many parents see instant improvements in the well-being of their child.
Later, regular chiropractic checkups are helpful to monitor spinal development as infants sit upright, support their heads, learn to crawl and take their first brave steps. Many experts believe that uncorrected spinal problems during this early stage of development cause chronic,
hard-to-correct subluxation seen in adults.
Sadly, bed wetting and many childhood aches and pains are passed off as “growing pains” or “just a phase they’re going through.” Careful! Aches and pains at any age are a sign that something isn’t right, and subluxations may be involved. Make sure your child has the best chance to be all that he or she can be by having a nervous system free of subluxations.
Common Questions:
Can Childbirth Cause Subluxations?
While childbirth is a very natural process, subluxations may occur as babies’ spines are extremely delicate. Going through the birth canal may cause a shift in the baby’s joints which can be irritating to their nerves.
Will My Pediatrician Approve of Chiropractic Care for My Child?
Seeking a chiropractic opinion about health issues affecting your child is something you can choose to do without any prior approval. Many medical practitioners keeping up with the latest pediatric chiropractic research understand the value of this natural, drug-free approach to better health.
Will Adjustments Hurt My Baby?
This is a common concern among parents who mistakenly think that their child will receive adjustments like the ones they receive. Adjusting techniques are modified for each person’s size and unique spinal problem, and an infant’s spine rarely has the long-standing muscle tightness seen in adults. This makes a child’s chiropractic adjustments gentle, comfortable and effective.
Chiropractic is a team approach to better health. As you enjoy results, tell those you love. Explain how millions enjoy relief and better health by restoring the integrity of their spines and nervous systems with safe and natural chiropractic care.
References:
- Anrig Howe, C., D.C., Plaugher, G., D.C, Pediatric Chiropractic, Williams and Wilkins, 1998.
- Benedetti, T.J., Birth Injury and Method of Delivery. New England Journal of Medicine, 341(23): 1758-9,1999.
- Esch, S., Zachman, Z., Adjustive Procedures for the Pregnant Chiropractic Patient, Chiropractic Technique, 3(2):66, May 1991.
- Hughes CA, Harley EH, Milmoe G, et al., Birth Trauma in the Head and Neck. Archives of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Survery, 1999, 125(2):193-9.
- Kristiansson, P., M.D., et al, Serum Relaxin, Symphyseal Pain and Back Pain During Pregnancy, American Journal of Obststrics and Gynecology, 175(5):1342-7,1996.
- Ostgood, M.D., Anderson, M.D., Schultz, Ph.D., Miller, Ph.D., Influence of Some Biomechanical Factors on Low Back Pain in Pregnancy, Spine, 18:61-65; 1993.
- Peet, J., D.C., Chiropractic Pediatric and Prenatal Reference manual, 2nd edition, Baby Adjusters, Inc. Publications, 1992.
- Riordan, J., Ed.D., Auerback, L. Ph.D., Breastfeeding and Human Lactation. 2nd edition, Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2001.
- Sadler, T. W. Ph.D., Langman’s Medical Embryology, Lippicott, Williams and Wilkins, 2000.
- Towbin, A., M.D., Latent Spinal Cord and Brain Stem Injury in Newborn Infants. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 11(1):54-68, 1969.
- Webster, L., D.C., Subluxation Birth and Early Childhood. International Pediatrics Literature, Match 1989.