What Age Can a Child Start Seeing a Chiropractor?

From when your child is born, their body undergoes an immense amount of growth over the first four years. Children’s muscles stretch and their bones grow. This is why we make sure they are in alignment can help with their development and overall health. Getting your child chiropractic treatments early on in life can help them reduce any physical pain. It can also help any discomfort they may feel during growth spurts.

A child’s spine experiences the highest rate of expansion during the first 10 years of life. Simple events like wearing a heavy backpack or having poor posture can take a toll on how their spine develops. When the spine is misaligned, this impacts the nervous system. This can result in a host of illnesses and conditions: such as colic, asthma, ear infections, bedwetting, even a weak immune or digestive system.

Taking your child to receive chiropractic treatments can be an effective way to keep their spine healthy during development years.

Do pregnancy and pediatrics chiropractors need specialized training?

All chiropractors receive some basic pediatric training during their doctoral program. Some may pursue more in-depth courses as part of their continued education. Likewise, some highly-trained pediatric chiropractors also engage in research in the field of pregnancy and pediatrics chiropractic medicine. If you are seeking out a reputable pediatric chiropractor in your area, consider consulting the list of chiropractors recognized by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association.

The friendly doctors at Corrective Chiropractic have over a decade of experience working with children, as young as a few months old, to ensure that their spine is in perfect alignment as they grow and thrive. If you would like to explore our techniques or want to learn more about how chiropractic treatments can help your child stay happy and healthy, contact our Atlanta (locations in Alpharetta, Buckhead, Decatur, Sandy Springs, and Woodstock) and Charleston, SC area office today at 404-355-5499, or schedule a free initial consultation here.

How to Choose The Best Pregnancy and Pediatrics Chiropractor

During your pregnancy, you want nothing but the best for your baby. Finding the right pregnancy and pediatrics chiropractor may be high on your list. You deserve a chiropractor that has experience with pregnancy chiropractic techniques to ensure you are healthy and pain-free throughout your pregnancy.

Assess Your Pain Areas

Knowing where you are experiencing pain and discomfort can help you identify the best pregnancy chiropractor to meet your needs. You can also ask specific questions and get targeted information about how they can leverage safe chiropractic treatments. For example, if you are having lower back pain, as a result of your pregnancy, seeking out an experienced pregnancy chiropractor who specializes in treating this can be the best solution.

Ask About Their Pediatrics Chiropractor Experience

How long has the practice been open? How many pregnant patients do they treat? What techniques have they found to be successful for pregnant women experiencing back pain? These are all questions you should ask to determine if the pregnancy chiropractor is the right fit for your needs. An experienced chiropractic treatment clinic will be able to provide ample information in this regard. They will be happy to address all of your questions and concerns during the initial visit.

Check Pediatrics Chiropractor References

Always ask for testimonials or to speak with former patients. It is always best to do your own due diligence before accepting any treatments. Checking for online reviews and Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings are also great places to verify the practices’ credibility and ability to provide quality care.

Ask for an Initial Consultation

Most trusted pediatric and pregnancy chiropractors will offer a free back evaluation to discuss your areas of pain. This is a great time to ask questions about their experience and inquire about what specific chiropractic treatments they use to help pregnant women manage back pain throughout their pregnancy. If they require you to commit to services before you are able to discuss your needs, this is a major red flag.

If you are looking for an award-winning and friendly pregnancy chiropractor with a proven track record helping pregnant women eliminate back pain, then contact the experienced doctors at Corrective Chiropractic today at 404-355-5499 for a free, no-strings-attached consultation.

pregnancy massage

Why You Should Get a Pregnancy Massage

Being pregnant can take a toll on the body, in more ways than one. Apart from gaining weight, the joints and muscles are often stretched and stressed to their max. This happens as a woman enters the later stages of pregnancy. Seeking out an experienced prenatal chiropractor can be an all-natural way to manage the aches and pains of being pregnant. According to the most reputable pediatric and pregnancy clinic centers, here are the top three reasons why pregnancy massage should be part of your pregnancy health regime.

Pregnancy Massage Helps with Back Pain

As the baby grows and your stomach protrudes, it is common for many women to experience lower back pain. When you throw in lack of sleep and stress, the level of pain and discomfort felt can intensify very quickly. Your posture will shift making changing positions or walking difficult. Taking a proactive approach and receiving pregnancy massages to make sure your joints and back are healthy and aligned can be a great way to ensure your pregnancy is as smooth and pain-free as possible.

Pregnancy Back Pain Cannot Be Treated with Medication 

Doctors will advise against taking pain medication during pregnancy.  They suggest using heat pads or placing pillows under the lower back when in a seated or lying position. Though these options are somewhat successful in reducing back pain, they are not as nearly as effective as pregnancy massage. Visiting one of the best pregnancy and pediatrics chiropractors can help you curb any back pain you may be experiencing.

Pregnancy Back Pain Can Negatively Affect Your Baby

Whatever you experience is transmitted to your growing baby. When your spine is misaligned, this impacts your nervous system and can cause your body to produce stress hormones that will cross the placenta and be absorbed by your baby. With high levels of the stress hormone, cortisol being found to negatively influence infant birth weights. Finding natural and preventive ways to decrease their production in your body is vital. Recent studies have shown a link between chiropractic treatments and a reduction in the level of cortisol in the body, thereby providing further evidence that visiting a pregnancy chiropractor is an essential part of your prenatal health routine.

Correcting Spinal Misalignment Caused by Birth Interventions

Giving birth, in general, places an extreme amount of stress and tension on the mother’s body. Did you know that stress from birth interventions can cause stress and spine misalignment to an infant. Read further how the important is the role of pediatric chiropractor in correcting spinal misalignment caused by birth interventions.

New research is citing the longer term effects that birth interventions can have on the baby’s health. In a recent study, 500,000 low-risk, healthy women and their children born between 2000-2008 were tracked over a five-year period. Their findings are shedding new light on the role that the birthing process may play in shaping health outcomes throughout childhood. Researchers found that children born through medical interventions were at a higher risk of developing respiratory infections, diabetes, obesity, and eczema.

Previous studies have also highlighted the stress that even natural births can have on an infant’s spine. As a baby pushes through the rigid birth canal, their flexible bones have to adjust. This process causes even slight misalignment to the cranium and in the infant’s spine. This irritation to the nervous system can manifest into many common newborn health issues. Issues such as colic, breathing problems, latching/breastfeeding issues, sleep difficulties, and allergic reactions.

Trauma from Birth Interventions

When trauma to the spine from birth interventions or after a difficult natural birth are left uncorrected this could lead to future health complications as the child grows. Holding up the head, learning to sit up, crawl and walk are all impacted by the stability of the spine. Any spinal misalignment, no matter how sustained, can make it harder for the child to meet these key milestones. This may result in extreme discomfort.

This is why consulting to a pediatric chiropractor should be part of your child’s annual health regime. Gentle and specific chiropractic treatments administered by a highly-trained pediatric chiropractor can reduce the tension and interference in the spine caused during childbirth. As a child ages, the growing spine will undergo several changes and understanding how to apply the right chiropractic treatments that will be the most effective is vitally important. Partnering with a reputable chiropractor who is expertly-trained by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) can be a proven way to correct any spinal misalignment, as they occur.

 

Did you recently experienced birth intervention?

If your child was born using birth interventions or if you have specific concerns about your child’s spinal development, the pediatric-trained chiropractors at Corrective Chiropractic can help! Our child-friendly approaches can help pinpoint areas of stress that may be causing your child discomfort. We’ll walk you through the entire process and answer any questions you may have.

Give us a call today for a complimentary pediatric spine consultation at 404-355-5499.

Many pregnant moms experience sciatica pain during pregnancy that can range from mild to severe pain. Sciatica can produce shooting and/or dull pain that travels along the site of the sciatic nerve (low back, buttock region, and leg). Structural changes and demands during pregnancy typically attribute to symptoms. Based on individual anatomy, the piriformis muscle can irritate the sciatic nerve resulting in similar symptoms as sciatica, and is termed “Piriformis Syndrome”. Chiropractic adjustments during pregnancy can ensure proper structural integrity in order to manage and even prevent associated symptoms.

Daily exercises can help with the tension associated with muscle changes during pregnancy that often lead to lower back stiffness and discomfort, and even sciatica.

Back Bend Stretch

The backbend stretch is a yoga pose utilized to improve low back and sacral range of motion. While standing, place hands on the tailbone and distract hands down towards the ground. Slowly bend torso and neck back as hands continue to distract down on the tailbone. Hold this stretch for 10-15 seconds. Repeat 3-5 times whenever low back or tailbone tension associated with sciatica occurs.

 

Standing Lunge

A sustained lunge pose can improve flexibility for hip flexor muscles and hamstrings – both with attachments to the pelvic bones. Pelvic misalignments and muscle imbalance can lead to additional stress on the sciatic nerve. Place one foot in front of the other and bend the associated leg to a 90-degree angle. Squat down with chest and torso aligned with hips. Hold for 15-20 seconds. Repeat on each side 4-6 times.

 

Warrior One

Warrior one is a yoga pose designed to increase the range of motion and flexibility for the hip flexor muscles and the round ligament. Place one foot in front of the other and bend the associated leg to a 90-degree angle. Squat down with chest and torso aligned with hips. Reach hands and arms up, keeping aligned with hips. Hold for 15-20 seconds. Repeat on each side 4-6 times.

 

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A chiropractor is often thought of as a must-go for adults, not for children. However, recent research points to the benefits that maintaining a healthy spine and body can have for even the youngest of patients. A growing trend is emerging that is seeing the nation’s chiropractic offices flooded with infants. You read that correctly – infants! Babies, as young as four weeks old, have been known to receive regular adjustments to help alleviate feeding problems.

Many common childhood ailments have been found to be reduced and/or managed by having regular chiropractic visits. In fact, one mother cited that after receiving an adjustment her newborn was better able to feed, and cried significantly less throughout the day. It is suggested that misalignment, in infants and young children, can cause various symptoms that may affect feeding, the quality of sleep, immunity, neurological development, and their overall daily comfort.

But, buyer beware…not every chiropractic office may be suited to accept the littlest of patients. When choosing the right chiropractor to perform adjustments on your child, you want to be sure to ask about their previous experience with children and what procedures/adjusting techniques they might perform. The key is to make sure the office is welcoming and will be an overall pleasant experience for you and your child.

It is important to also note the difference in an adult adjustment and one that an infant may receive. The amount of pressure applied to their growing bones is very light. Due to children not having a lot of cartilage, adjustments are gentle and low to zero force.

The experienced doctors at Corrective Chiropractic cite these important benefits babies and young children receive from consistent visits.

  1. Nervous System Support

    A misalignment in the spine can quickly compromise the nerves connected to your baby’s organs. This can increase stress, pressure and discomfort for your child, who is often too young to verbalize and/or describe their pain. And, in many cases, a pediatrician may prescribe medication or dietary changes to manage the discomfort without being able to truly pinpoint the underlying cause. A chiropractic adjustment can serve to take the unnecessary pressure and stress off of the nerves and allow your baby’s body to grow properly.

  2. Increased Overall Comfort

    When it comes to treating chronic alignments in young children, doctors often encourage parents to administer medications. Though the medicines may reduce the symptoms temporarily, the symptoms may also get worse or occur more often. Instead, seeking chiropractic care can be a natural and less invasive way to manage the following:

    Ear infections
    Colic symptoms
    Acid reflux
    Moodiness
    Feeding/Chewing issues
    Breastfeeding/latching problems

     

  3. Improved Home Experience

    Raising children is a full-time and very stressful job – as is – not to mention adding in a crying baby who cannot get comfortable. Relieving the added stress placed on your growing baby’s body can be a great way to reduce some of the fussiness your baby may be exhibiting. Many families comment on how relaxed and “at peace” their young children are after an adjustment. Being able to allow the body to grow and develop correctly without introducing added physical stress may be just what you need to ensure that your baby is happy and healthy.

If you’re considering an adjustment for your young child, there are pediatric trained doctors at Corrective Chiropractic. Please contact the office to schedule a pediatric exam and consultation. We’ll walk you through the entire process and answer any questions you may have. Give us a call today at 404-355-5499

Pregnancy is one of life’s most beautiful works. Yet, despite being an exciting time for expectant families, the physical changes a woman’s body undergoes can take a great toll on her. Recurring back, neck and joint stiffness and pain are common complaints of pregnant women as they progress through each trimester. By partnering with a reputable prenatal chiropractor, pregnant women can tap into these five health benefits.

  1. Keep your spine in alignment

    The average woman gains between 30-40 pounds during her pregnancy. This added weight, in such a short period of time, can put great strain on the body. As the pregnancy progresses, this additional strain often pulls the spine out of alignment. Depending on the severity of the misalignment, expectant mothers could experience symptoms ranging from chronic stiffness to extreme, debilitating pain. Having consistent chiropractic care throughout the pregnancy can ensure that the spine remains in alignment and that the supporting tendons are performing at their best to support the added weight and physical changes.

  2. Reduce the need for pain medication

    Back and neck pain, when left untreated, could be too painful for an expectant mother to bare. Taking pain medications during pregnancy can be medically challenging and put their unborn child at risk. Instead of having to suffer silently with recurring joint and back pain, a chiropractor can help to pinpoint areas of discomfort and create a care and pain management plan. And, frequent chiropractic adjustments not only relieve stress on the body, but they often help to significantly decrease pain caused by other underlying issues.

  3. Strengthen your joints for better support

    Imagine a rubber band being stretched to its limit. Something similar to this occurs during a woman’s pregnancy. As the uterus expands to accommodate for the growing baby, more and more strain is placed on the hips, legs, ankles and feet. An experienced chiropractor will be able to partner with expectant mothers to treat their entire body to effectively strengthen the body’s tendons to be able to sustain the added weight and pressure. With these areas cared for, the body has a greater chance to heal itself and prevent additional (and painful) strain on the body later.

  4. Ensure proper pelvic alignment

    According to the American Pregnancy Association, an aligned pelvis is vitally important to ensure a more efficient vaginal birth. A misaligned pelvis will reduce the space for the baby to fit through, and can put both mother and baby at risk during childbirth. This reduction in the pelvic opening, often referred to as intrauterine constraint, will prevent the baby from getting into the proper position for the mother to push, often resulting in a breech position. Breech positions often lead to c-section births. A chiropractor who specializes in prenatal care would be able to align the pelvis to support a natural and non-invasive vaginal birth.

  5. Increases your body’s ability to bounce back

    Following birth the body tries to repair any damage caused to it over the previous ten months. When a woman is able to maintain her health regime throughout her pregnancy, the less work her body has to do to bounce back to its pre-pregnancy state. Exercising and eating a well-balanced diet are effective ways to provide the body with the nutrients and rest it needs to restore itself. Expectant mothers who follow a consistent chiropractic schedule often cite less pain, discomfort and increased mobility to be able to return to non-restricted daily activity and exercise faster.

Whether you’re in your first trimester or approaching the third, scheduling an appointment with a prenatal chiropractor can help you alleviate many of the pregnancy pain and discomfort you may be feeling. Working with a chiropractor to create a consistent prenatal care plan can be one of the best ways to ensure your delivery and post-baby transition are problem-free.

At Corrective Chiropractic, helping you get through your pregnancy as pain-free as possible is our top priority. For a complimentary evaluation, feel free to contact the knowledgeable doctors at Corrective Chiropractic. We would be happy to meet with you and discuss your pregnancy-related back and joint questions and concerns.

Prenatal Chiropractic care is one of the best possible gifts you could give your child because pregnancy chiropractic is a safe, drug-free way to keep your body functioning how it was designed to.

Why Should I have Prenatal Chiropractor?

Today, we will outline the 3 biggest benefits of receiving regular prenatal chiropractic care to ensure you experience a healthy, safe, enjoyable pregnancy, labor and delivery

  1. Restores Pelvic Stability and Balance for Better Baby PositioningRestoring pelvic balance allows baby to have the most room available to him/her in the womb. Creating the most space gives baby the best opportunity to get into a head down position at the right time in pregnancy. When baby is in the right position, the possibility of a breech or caesarean delivery decreases dramatically.
  2. Alleviating Pregnancy Symptoms – Reduce Body PainsPregnancy often brings low back, mid back and neck pain as the many body changes associated with pregnancy puts extra stress on the body. Chiropractic care has been shown to prevent and relieve these pains associated with pregnancy.
  3. Decreased Labor Time and PainChiropractic care helps moms nervous system to be functioning at its best and when the nervous system is functioning at its best, your body is equipped to handle labor the best it can. Women under chiropractic care often report easier, shorter labors than those not under care.

Want get more info about pregnancy chiropractic benefits?

You can ask Dr. Eric Bayliss of Alpharetta Office for more guides. Alternatively, you can visit our office branches located in Buckhead, Sandy Springs and Decatur. Or download our free ebook here:

Children develop neurologically and structurally (muscles, bones, joints) at rapid rates.  The means of how they develop can impact their current health and future health into adulthood. Children are susceptible to structural misalignments from common falls related to play and sports. Overtime, a misaligned skeletal system will result in structural issues ranging from discomfort and pain, to scoliosis and even neurological issues, as spinal misalignments directly influence the function of the central nervous system.  Misalignments resulting in nervous system compromise can result in  musculoskeletal symptoms and other issues including bed wetting, allergies, asthma, colic, digestive issues, sensory and attention disorders, and developmental delays.

Brain Optimization

According to the Family Health Chiropractic, the function of the prefrontal cortex of the brain is improved by 20% by pediatric chiropractic. This part of the brain is responsible for the cognitive behavior, decision making, social behavior, and expression of personality in the children. Our nervous system is composed of two major parts: the brain and the spinal cord. The nerves generating from the spinal cord are maintained in a healthy state through chiropractic care. Proper movement of the spine directly stimulates brain function.

Improper movement of the spine, spinal subluxations or misalignments, can result in the following neurological symptoms:

  • Sensory disorders
  • ADHD
  • Mood disorders
  • Coordination issues
  • Sleeping Issues
  • Reflux
  • Colic

The aboved neurological disorders can be managed with chiropractic care in order to allow a child’s nervous system to function at its best.

Skeletal Growth & Development

The birthing process can be a physically enduring process for baby, especially when interventions such as cesarean sections, vacuum extractions, and forceps are utilized. Birth traumas, and microtraumas from daily falls can over time result in spinal misalignments that directly influence structural development. Structural developmental issues commonly lead to scoliosis, growing pains, structural asymmetry, plagiocephaly, and postural deviations. Chiropractic care is a safe and effective way to help manage structural development. Optimal development occurs when children are under chiropractic care as early as possible. Some babies are adjusted right after birth to ensure proper structural growth and development.

With the growing demand for alternative and complementary therapies, it is becoming more important for parents to take into consideration holistic and natural options for wellness. Chiropractic care is a natural and effective form of care that relates to the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. Chiropractic care focuses on maintaining a healthy nervous system for proper growth and development and optimal function.

Need of Chiropractic for Children

Children grow and develop both neurologically and structurally at a rapid rate. Physical stressors such as posture (technology induced), and trauma (daily microtrauma included) can alter the structural development. Neurological development occurs most in the first few years of life. Chiropractic care an ensure optimal nervous system function by reducing stress on the associated nerve structures.

Safety Factors to Consider:

There are different factors that you should consider. Some of them are:

Experienced Chiropractor

Nothing beats the experience factor. When considering a chiropractor for your children, search for one who is experienced and specialized in pediatric care. Pediatric chiropractors go through extensive training post the standard doctoral program. Continue education is obtained through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA). The ICPA trains selective chiropractors on ways to effectively diagnoses, adjust, and care for children of all ages with all possible presenting factors. A trained chiropractor will provide a detailed and personalized care plan based on a thorough physical and neurological examination. Adjustments will be provided for structural correction and will be low force and comfortable for your child. There are select pediatric chiropractors in the Atlanta, Sandy Springs and Decatur area.

Level Of Pain

Chiropractic, usually, is painless unless there is an actual injury. However, you should know if your child is feeling pain, you should stop the treatment. There are chances that the chiropractor may not have been able to locate the actual issue and putting undue pressure on the child. Always consult your child about the level of pain they feel during the treatment.

Time

Although it is not a big of a factor time period can really help you know if you have made the right decision. A child’s spine responds to chiropractic much quicker than in adults. You can start witnessing the signs of improvement instantly depending on the condition of the child. However, if it is taking a lot of time, there is something to worry about.

These are some of the safety factors you should consider while choosing a chiropractor for your child. In Atlanta, there is not just one Atlanta chiropractor working; there are plenty who’ve opted for this profession. You can choose anyone you are comfortable with. The more time you spend in the research, the better the results you will generate and the better your child will feel physically, as well as, mentally.

Our offices in Sandy Springs, Decatur, Buckhead, and Alpharetta all have regular trainings to understand how to care for children. We also pride ourselves on the fact that 20% of our clinics are children who are getting amazing results with their health.