Infant Children

All infants need a healthy spinal column. All babies need to have their spines checked by a Doctor of Chiropractic for the presence of vertebral subluxations or spinal nerve stress. Why is this important? It’s important because an unhealthy spine can interfere with the normal function of the nervous system and may cause serious health problems in infancy and later in life. With all you do for your newborn child, please ensure his or her spinal health with a chiropractic spinal check-up.

Infant Spinal Trauma

Many studies have shown that the majority of newborns have spinal nerve stress that is threatening their health and in some cases, their lives! But how can that be? The answer will surprise you: spinal trauma!

A newborn’s spine traumatized? How?

The newborn that knew only the warmth, softness, darkness, quiet and comfort of the womb is suddenly exposed to a cold, noisy, hard, harsh, blinding world. Separated from mother, often dangled from its heels and struck on its rear, these procedures can cause permanent physical trauma and emotional scarring.

Many studies have shown home birth to be safer for both mother and child. The following study conducted by Lewis E. Mehl, M.D., of the University of Wisconsin Infant Development Center reviewed 2,000 births, nearly half of which had taken place at home. There were 30 birth injuries among the hospital-born children and none among those born at home. Fifty-two of the babies born in the hospital required resuscitation versus only 14 of those born at home. Six hospital babies suffered neurological damage compared to one born at home. The best way to avoid hospital horror stories is to consider home birth as an alternative to hospital birth.”‘

Chiropractic Approach

Chiropractic is a health care system that removes distortions and stress from the spinal column and the nervous system to allow the body to work as naturally as possible. Chiropractic is founded on the premise that our bodies possess an inborn natural wisdom that works best without interference. This meComprehensive Health & Chiropractic – Infants & Toddlersans delivering in the most natural position by which to give birth without drugs or intervention of any kind unless absolutely necessary. This means bonding and breastfeeding. This means birth without violence.

For these reasons, you’ll find natural childbirth, home birth, breastfeeding and similar practices very common among chiropractors’ families.

Neurological Dysfunction and Crib Death

Various studies have confirmed that spinal lamage in infants can cause disease and even death.

Abraham Towbin, a Harvard University Pathologist found evidence of spinal injury in many cases of unexplained crib deaths, hyaline membrane disease, pneumonia and respiratory depression. But there are others:”…there must exist a large number of instances with mild injury, with minimal neurologic symptoms, going unnoticed clinically or being relegated to the category of cerebral palsy.”

In 1984 the Academy for Research in the Chiropractic Sciences (ARCS) concluded an 18 month study on the relationship of Crib Death and spinal structure and found that babies that had died if Crib Death had abnormal spinal alignment in the upper neck area.

Testing procedures are not refined enough to completely assess all the damage spinal nerve stress may cause to the baby. Gross learning and behavioral problems are more easily seen but the damage may at times be too subtle to be tested, perhaps the loss of a few I.Q. points? Perhaps average rather than above average abilities? There can be rather small, yet significant differences between the average and exceptional child. Less oxygen at birth? A minor pull on the neck at delivery? A small spinal misalignment? Since we don’t know let’s play it safe and do our best to avoid dangerous procedures and promote natural, safer infant and newborn care.

Conclusion

Do all you can to give your baby the best possible chance to have a healthy life. That includes childbirth without violence, breastfeeding, and avoidance of drugs and medical procedures (except n emergencies).

We urge you to respect your child’s, as well as your own, natural healing mechanisms and make sure you are all under chiropractic care.

You have your baby’s eyes checked, heart checked, hearing checked-why not include a chiropractic spinal check-up?

With boundless energy and curiosity children test their new world. Their ability to support their head is quickly followed by crawling, and suddenly they are standing while holding onto furniture. Their first steps are just around the corner! Bumps and falls are natural consequences.

These bumps and falls cause trauma to the spine. When spinal bones lose their normal position or ability to move during this stage of tremendous physical growth, permanent deformities can occur. Left uncorrected, these small cumulative traumas can have far-reaching affects. Even spanking and other forms of discipline can have long-term consequences during this critical stage of development.

Unexpected Crying

Lacking language skills, our young toddler communicates with simple sounds, smiling, laughing and crying. Many parents interpret these signs and respond with food, a toy, a blanket or a hug. Yet sometimes we are unable to decipher their cries. Interferences to the nervous system caused by a malfunctioning spine can affect the digestive system, the immune system and cause other health problems that a blanket or soothing lullaby can’t help.

Children of all ages can respond quickly to chiropractic care. Special adjusting techniques are used and toddlers seem to have an intuitive sense that adjustments are good for them.

During the first months and years of your baby’s life, he or she grows from a helpless infant into a fearless adventurer. A child’s natural curiosity about the world is accompanied by dramatic physical growth, weight gain, and emotional development.

Conclusion

The vertebrae that protect the spinal cord can lose their normal motion or position from the normal slips and falls while a child is learning to walk. Delicate nerve tissue can be damaged, resulting in interference with the brain’s ability to control associated organs and tissues. Lost muscle tone weakens the important support of the spine. Discs, blood vessels and other soft tissues can swell and become inflamed. The body responds with bone spurs and abnormal bony growth and various systems throughout the body may malfunction. Pain or other obvious symptoms may not be present, yet optimum health and well-being are compromised.

Spinal problems that go undetected or neglected in children become more serious problems in adults.