A child’s spine develops rapidly in the first decade of life and many things can affect its development. In the infant, things such as falls from a bed or change table, sudden stops in a vehicle, sudden unsupported head movement, or even the birthing process itself can affect how the spine grows and develops. As they continue to develop children commonly bump into things, have falls, or hit their heads, especially at milestones such as when learning to crawl and walk. All of these incidents, which may seem insignificant at the time, can lead to spinal problems.
Often times it is difficult for parents to determine if their child has a spinal problem. Many parents choose to have their children checked by a chiropractor on a regular basis as a preventative measure, and as a means to improve their child’s overall health and function.
The following things can indicate that the child may have a problem and should be checked by a chiropractor:
Spinal adjustments in the infant and young child are extremely gentle and are aimed at relieving nerve interference in the child’s spine and restoring proper motion in the spinal segment.