Chiropractic & Kids ~ Resource List & Visit Guidelines

Is it safe?  Does it work?  Check out these websites and read up on it for yourself.

www.chiroweb.com ~ especially anything by Peter N. Fysh, D.C., or Joan Fallon, D.C.

www.icpa4kids.org ~ International Chiropractic Pediatrics Association

www.worldchiropracticalliance.org ~ especially Richard A. Pistolese, and Drs. Stuart & Theresa Warner

Well Child Care Guidelines:

Birth - 12 Months

• During the first two weeks after delivery
• When the child can support and lift its own head
• When the child begins to sit
• When the child begins to crawl
• When the child begins to stand
• When the child begins to walk

1 - 5 Years

• Six to Eight check ups per year

5 - 18 Years

• Twelve check ups per year

These guidelines are based broadly on the expected or typical incidence of events which might cause a child's spine to become unbalanced.  For example, every time your infant reaches a new physical milestone, his or her spine should be checked.  My recommendations for children 5 through 18 are the minimum number of visits that should occur given the physical stresses of school backpacks and book bags, study habits, computer time, tv time, etc.

There are events which should cause an increase in visit frequency.  Obviously, the intensity of a child's visit schedule will increase for one who is sick, injured (including vehicle collisions ~ whether you think they got hurt or not, falls, rough-housing, sports injuries, etc.), involved in athletics, or under unusual amounts of stress (including emotional stress), and any new medical diagnosis or medication. 

Other conditions which might cause a child's visit frequency to increase include postural distortions, congenital anomalies (such as hip dysplasia, scoliosis, or torticollis), "growing pains," pelvic unleveling, and unequal legs.

Still not sure about whether or not your child should be checked by a chiropractor?  Try these easy home evaluations:

1. Have your child fill his backpack or book bag with a typical load.  Weigh the backpack or book bag.  Weigh the child.  If the weight of the backpack or book bag is more than 10-15% of the weight of the child it is too heavy and he should be checked as soon as possible.  You should also probably chat with him about how much stuff he really, really needs to carry around in that thing.
2. Have your child stand up straight (but comfortable ~ no forced posture) in front of you.  Watch her as she puts her backpack or book bag on.  Did you see that rounding of her shoulders and the forward movement of her head and neck as her body shifts to balance out the load?  She should be checked right away.  By the way, if she's been carrying that pack or bag off of only one shoulder...ever ~ time for an adjustment!
3. Have your child lie face-down on a bed.  His ankles and feet should be hanging off of one edge of the bed, and he should rest his forehead on back of his hands so that his nose is straight down toward the mattress.  Stand at his feet and look down.  Without touching his feet or legs, notice:  Does one leg looks shorter than the other, or is one foot turned in or out more than the other?  Any asymmetry here means that his spine needs to be checked by a chiropractor.