by Caroline von Fluegge-Chen
Some adults may wonder why more and more children are starting to see chiropractors. That’s a good question and the answer is simple: whether we have a large spine or a tiny little spine, if that spine is creating nerve distress then our magnificent bodies may not operate smoothly.
The nervous system is the ‘Master Controller’
The nervous system is the master controller of our body and if its communication channels become fuzzy, distorted or damaged then we experience all sorts of communication errors. For babies and children, this ineffective communication may play out as colic or irritability, an inability to suckle and breastfeed, poor sleep, developmental delays, digestion issues, asthma, behavioral problems, low energy, inability to concentrate, headaches, etc – the list is endless. In fact, regardless of what the end result or symptom may be, all roads to ‘optimal health’ lead back to the body’s ability to self-regulate and function at a peak level.
While chiropractic may be able to help with a number of health issues, our focus is not treating or curing ailments; our focus is ensuring the nervous system has every opportunity to work efficiently and effectively.
Can you cook at night with the lights out?
For example, imagine your nervous system is like the lighting system in your home. If the lights start to dim, you might not be able to cook dinner very well, you may start banging into furniture, you may trip and hurt yourself, and you may feel frightened. How the dim lights influence you precisely will vary but the issue is still the same – there is a communication problem between the wiring and the light globe which needs detecting and fixing.
In the same way, chiropractors spend years studying the nervous system to be able to detect and correct these ‘communication errors’ in the body.
Another question you may ask is…
“How do little kids get nerve irritation?”
Nerve irritations (or vertebral subluxations) occur as a part of normal daily life. They may result from physical, chemical and emotional stressors or ‘insults’ to our health, such as bad posture, prolonged postures, sleeping on our stomachs, knocks and falls, poor food choices, dehydration, exposure to chemicals and toxins, and stress and anxiety. Some research suggests that even before these lifestyle stressors have an impact, nerve irritation may occur in the uterus from awkward positioning, restriction of movement, and exposure to toxins. Subluxations or nerve irritation may also occur from birth complications such as long labors, very fast labors, or forceps or caesarean delivery.
While the research to support how effective chiropractic for children is not yet extensive, parental satisfaction with results achieved is compelling in its own right.
While more research into the benefits of chiropractic for babies and children is needed, chiropractic for little people has been shown to be gentle, safe and effective. Babies can be checked by chiropractors very soon after birth and special techniques have been developed to carefully correct any subluxated areas. When we appreciate how the nervous system may be hindered and impaired it makes sense why more parents are having their child’s spine and nervous system assessed.
10 reasons parents take their children to see a chiropractor:
To encourage good neural plasticity (brain and nerve development).
To support their child’s overall health and well-being.
To help strengthen their child’s immunity and potentially reduce the incidence of colds, earaches, and general illnesses.
To assist with colic and Irritable Baby Syndrome.
To help with asthma, breathing difficulties and allergies.
To encourage good spinal posture.
To help improve their child’s ability to concentrate.
To assist with behavioral disorders.
To help alleviate digestive problems.
To assist with bed-wetting and sleep issues.
Your child’s health is their greatest asset. In our household, we utilize the skill and knowledge of homeopaths, Chinese medicine practitioners, chiropractors (obviously) and wellness-oriented physicians. I urge you to explore all possibilities you have to strengthen your child’s health.
Caroline von Fluegge-Chen
With an emphasis on family care for more than 24-years, Dr. Caroline von Fluegge-Chen has created a unique program of promoting peak performance found only at Balance Atlanta. She combines specialties of family chiropractic, functional medicine, and BrainCore Therapy to address structural integrity, optimal brain function, and body chemistry balance.
