Many adults have the misconception about chiropractic care that it is painful and very forceful. So when Dr. Katie Sleigh, of Sleigh Family Chiropractic in Arlington Heights, IL, mentions she does chiropractic adjustments for many children and infants, she commonly gets gasps of disbelief and wide open, surprised eyes.
Sleigh asserts that pediatric chiropractic care is very safe for infants and children of all ages. This does not mean that every child should be adjusted by a chiropractor. However, Dr. Katie believes that every child should at least be checked by a chiropractor.
What is a chiropractic adjustment like for an infant or child?
Pediatric Chiropractic AdjustmentDr. Katie is a member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association and has taken multiple post graduate seminars perfecting her technique for children. She has considerable first hand experience working with children.
Pediatric chiropractic adjustments are very different than adult chiropractic adjustments, per Dr. Katie. She states: “The amount of pressure used for an infant adjustment is that which you would feel comfortable using with your finger tip on a ripe tomato without puncturing the skin.”
Children are very instinctual and don’t like to do things that make them feel bad. Kids like to get adjusted because the gentle adjustment makes them feel better. Dr. Katie’s youngest patient was a few days old and slept through the entire adjustment!
Pediatric Chiropractic Safety Research
While there may not be tons of research on the safety of pediatric chiropractic for children, the available research shows that it is very safe.
There was a study presented at the 14th Annual Symposium on Complementary Health Care in Exeter, UK, December 2007 entitled, “Treatment-Related Aggravations, Complications and Improvements Attributed to Chiropractic Spinal Manipulative Therapy of Pediatric Patients: A Practice-Based Survey of Practitioners” by Alcantara J, Ohm J and Kunz D. The study reports data compiled from 812 cases of children between the ages of 0-18 who received chiropractic care. Nine patients reported treatment-related aggravations described as “soreness” or “fussiness.” No treatment-related complications were reported.
There have been articles published that state that chiropractic is not safe for children. One of the most notable was published in the journal Pediatrics entitled “Adverse Events Associated with Pediatric Manipulation.” However, upon further examination of the information used, it appears this conclusion is inaccurate. Issues such as spinal manipulative therapy not administered by a chiropractor were included, adverse events likely weren’t direct results of chiropractic care, and minor aggravations such as fussiness were considered moderate or severe adverse reactions.
To read more about how this conclusion is not accurate, please read the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association’s letter by Research Director, Dr. Joel Alcantara.
Dr. Katie Sleigh is a female Arlington Heights, IL chiropractor who has a special focus on working with infants and kids. She is passionate about helping parents keep their kids healthy naturally.
Call today to see if your kids could benefit from pediatric chiropractic care 847-788-0880!
