Chiropractic For Kids in Arlington Heights, IL
As parents themselves, Pediatric Chiropractors Dr. Katie Sleigh, Dr. Quintin Sleigh, and Dr. Nicole Brashier use a gentle, nurturing approach to keep your child’s spine healthy and help address many common childhood conditions such as allergies, asthma, ear infections, colic, digestive problems, and more through chiropractic care for kids.
Pediatric Chiropractic Care: Benefits, Development, and Treatment
Many people wonder why kids need to see a chiropractor when they do not complain of aches or pains. To first understand the need for pediatric chiropractic care, we first need to discuss the birthing process, which is an extremely difficult process not just for mom but also for baby. Whether your baby was born vaginally or through a C-section, they are almost always pulled out by the medical provider at the head and neck.
In fact, more than 80% of infants suffer trauma to the cervical spine at the time of birth, which directly impacts how their nervous system is functioning. This trauma causes misalignments of the bones of the neck, creating stress on the nervous system, switching it from the parasympathetic mode (resting mode) into the sympathetic mode (protective mode). When left untreated, kids become more susceptible to colic, reflux, ear infections, difficulty sleeping, constipation, torticollis, allergies, delayed milestones, and so much more.
Chiropractic care removes misalignments of the spine, switching the nervous system into the parasympathetic mode (resting and calming mode), allowing kids to grow, learn, and develop optimally. It is an excellent, natural, non-invasive remedy for many developmental issues and childhood illnesses and injuries. In fact, many parents choose to continue maintenance of chiropractic care to ensure proper growth and development in their kids, especially as they begin learning new skills. As kids begin learning new milestones, they tend to tumble and fall often, which again can create those subluxations or misalignments in the spine, leading to altered nervous system function.
Signs Children May Benefit from Chiropractic Care
Children may benefit from a pediatric chiropractic evaluation if they experience symptoms related to nervous system stress or spinal misalignment.
Common signs may include:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Frequent ear infections
- Colic or reflux
- Constipation or digestive issues
- Delayed developmental milestones
- Poor posture or balance
- Difficulty focusing or anxiety
Early chiropractic care for kids can help identify areas of spinal stress and support healthy nervous system development.
Common Childhood Conditions That We Have Helped
Breastfeeding Difficulties
Starting to breastfeed is not always a smooth and enjoyable process. Many women experience pain with breastfeeding, which can lead to worry and frustration. Many times the issue stems from the bones of the neck not functioning as they should. When this happens, it may be more difficult for your little one to turn their head in both directions and latch properly on both sides.
Many moms whose babies have dysfunction in their neck tell us that their baby prefers feeding on one breast more than the other. Another reason you could be experiencing pain or difficulty breastfeeding is due to the development of your baby’s palate and jaw.
There are safe and gentle pediatric chiropractic techniques that our chiropractors are trained in that focus on restoring motion into the bones of the neck and aligning the jaw and palate. Using these techniques, our pediatric chiropractors in Arlington Heights have helped many infants achieve a better and more comfortable latch.
Digestive Issues and Reflux
Reflux is a very common condition in babies. Typically it presents as arching of the back during or right after feeding, as well as coughing or gagging and irritability after feedings.
Reflux can arise when subluxations or misalignments of the bones of the spine are present. This can occur during the birthing process from the force placed on the baby’s head and neck as they are assisted out by the medical provider.
When these spinal misalignments are present, it can create stress on the nervous system, which means the nerves that communicate with the stomach are not able to function as they should, contributing to reflux symptoms.
Chiropractic care for babies is very gentle and specific. It focuses on reducing subluxations and relieving pressure on the nerves, allowing your baby’s body to function the best it can. This often helps improve reflux symptoms naturally.
Colic
Colic is also known as intense and persistent crying in infants. This occurs when a baby cries intensely for no apparent reason.
Common signs include sudden crying, difficulty sleeping, clenched fists with legs pulled up, and crying episodes that last several hours at a time.
Many times colic arises from digestive issues, including a buildup of gas or stomach discomfort. Parents are often told that their child will eventually “grow out of it.” However, for parents experiencing this situation, each day can feel overwhelming.
Research has shown that pediatric chiropractic caremay help support infants experiencing colic by helping reduce nervous system tension and stress. Chiropractic adjustments for infants are designed to help the body relax and function more comfortably.
Many parents report that their babies sleep better and appear more relaxed after receiving gentle chiropractic care for infants.
Delayed Developmental Milestones
Issues with crawling, standing, or other movements can be concerning for parents. During early development, tummy time helps build muscle strength and head control. Crawling helps form spinal curves and supports healthy nervous system coordination.
But what happens if a child does not smoothly move through these developmental stages?
Pediatric chiropractic care can help support children experiencing delayed milestones. When subluxations or spinal misalignments are present, the nervous system may shift from the parasympathetic mode (learning and resting mode) into the sympathetic mode (protective mode).
This can interfere with how the brain communicates with the body. In some cases, the brain may be signaling the body to crawl or roll over, but nervous system interference prevents the movement from happening effectively.
A pediatric chiropractor can evaluate your child to determine whether spinal misalignments may be affecting nervous system communication.
Gentle chiropractic care for children helps remove these subluxations and restore proper nervous system communication so children can continue learning new skills and achieving their developmental milestones.
Constipation
Approximately 5–28% of children experience constipation. This can begin soon after birth and may continue throughout development.
Constipation often arises when joints of the lower back are not functioning properly, placing stress on the nervous system. Chiropractors refer to this as a subluxation.
The spinal nerves in the lower back communicate directly with the digestive system. When pressure affects these nerves, digestive function can slow down, leading to constipation, reflux, bloating, gas, or other digestive concerns.
Many conventional treatments, such as laxatives or suppositories, only address the symptoms temporarily. Chiropractic care for kids focuses on restoring proper spinal motion and reducing pressure on the nerves that influence digestion.
One of the most common responses parents notice after pediatric chiropractic adjustments is improved bowel movements.
Ear Infections
More than 80% of children experience an ear infection before the age of three.
Many ear infections occur when fluid cannot properly drain from the ear. This can happen when spinal misalignments in the upper neck create pressure on the nerves that communicate with the ear.
When these nerves are not functioning properly, fluid may accumulate in the ear canal and contribute to infection.
Torticollis
Torticollis occurs in infants due to baby positioning in utero or due to a difficult birth. During the birthing process, there is a lot of stress placed on the head and neck as the baby is pulled out by the medical provider. This leads to misalignments or fixations within the bones of the neck and stress on the nervous system.
Torticollis typically presents with a head tilt to one side, head rotation to one side, flattening of the head on one side, and difficulty breastfeeding on one breast. Pediatric chiropractic care reduces and removes misalignments within the bones of the spine, taking pressure off the nerves and allowing your baby to regain full motion within the neck.
There are also specific pediatric chiropractic techniques that ensure proper motion in the cranial bones, which can reduce any flattening that might be present.
Anxiety
Anxiety is the sensation of worry or nervousness. You might be wondering how chiropractic care for kids can help with anxiety, but anxiety is directly related to the brain and the nervous system.
When there are subluxations or misalignments within the spine (which can be caused by poor posture, repetitive motions, falls, and mental stress), the nervous system switches to the sympathetic mode (fight or flight/protective mode).
This causes the part of the brain that controls emotions to work in overdrive. Information taken into the brain is perceived as being dangerous, which creates the symptoms of anxiety.
Pediatric chiropractic care is a great natural form of treatment for anxiety. Chiropractic adjustments for children reduce stress on the nervous system and switch it back into the parasympathetic mode (rest and digest mode), which allows your body to function optimally.
Sleep Disturbances
Sleep is so important for a child’s development, both physically and emotionally. Difficulty sleeping and stress on the nervous system cause the nervous system to switch into the sympathetic mode, or the flight-or-fight protective mode.
When the nervous system is working in sympathetic overdrive, it is difficult for your child to relax, rest, and sleep.
Gentle chiropractic care for kids reduces stress on the nervous system and switches it back into the parasympathetic mode. Thus, your child will be able to rest and relax more easily, which tends to lead to better sleep.
Chiropractic Care for Kids in Arlington Heights, IL: Our Chiropractic Approach
Chiropractic care for kids in Arlington Heights, IL, at Sleigh Family Chiropractic aims to alleviate strain on the central nervous system while reestablishing normal range of motion for the spine.
Our goal is to help children grow, develop, and function at their best through safe and gentle pediatric chiropractic care.
We begin with a comprehensive evaluation of spinal alignment, posture, and nervous system function to determine areas of restricted motion or imbalance that may affect your child’s growth and development.
Our chiropractors assess posture, mobility, and joint function to identify areas where the spine may not be moving properly. This helps us determine the safest and most effective approach for your child’s care.
Specific gentle chiropractic adjustments for children help restore motion to restricted joints and reduce pressure on affected nerves, supporting healthy nervous system function and proper spinal development.
We provide guidance on movement, posture, and age-appropriate therapeutic exercises to support healthy development, maintain spinal health, and reduce the risk of future issues.
How Chiropractic Care Supports Kids at Each Stage of Development
Newborn and Infant Chiropractic Care (Birth to First Month)
The birthing process can be very stressful for both mom and baby and is commonly the cause of your baby’s first subluxation, which is a misalignment in the spine that creates stress on the nervous system.
Whether your baby was born vaginally or through a C-section, they are almost always pulled out by the medical provider at the head and neck.
In fact, more than 80% of infants suffer trauma to the cervical (neck) spine at the time of birth, which directly impacts how their nervous system is functioning.
Having a pediatric chiropractor check out your newborn is something we here at Sleigh Family Chiropractic think is crucial.
Chiropractic care for infants is extremely gentle and very specific for little ones. Most babies actually sleep through the entire adjustment.
The goal of pediatric chiropractic care is to remove misalignments within the spine, reducing stress on the nervous system, and switching it back into resting mode.
Chiropractic Care for Toddlers (1-3 Years)
Throughout development kids are constantly growing and learning, and as they hit their milestones, they fall and tumble quite often.
These falls and tumbles create misalignments in the spine, but deeper than that, they create stress on the nervous system.
The nervous system controls and coordinates every cell and function of the body.
When your child’s nervous system is stressed, he or she will not likely complain of back pain, neck pain, or headaches like many adults experience.
Rather, your child may have chronic ear infections, difficulty sleeping, constipation, sensory issues, or hyperactivity.
Chiropractic care for toddlers is very gentle and specific, and many times parents are shocked at how still their children will lay for their adjustments.
Our pediatric chiropractors at Sleigh Family Chiropractic focus on relieving the stress and tension on your child’s nervous system so he or she can function as best as possible.
Chiropractic Care for School-Age Children (5-12 Years)
Not only can starting school be stressful emotionally, but it also can create physical stress on kids’ bodies.
Carrying heavy backpacks and sitting for long periods of time are two common causes of subluxations in children.
A subluxation is an area of the spine that isn’t moving properly or isn’t aligned correctly that results in a lack of proper function of the nervous system.
Chiropractic adjustments for kids improve proper alignment of the spine and cause the nervous system to switch back into the parasympathetic mode.
This allows kids to grow, develop, and learn properly.
Pediatric chiropractic care is a safe, natural, and effective way to help many common ailments in school-aged children.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is chiropractic safe for a child?
Pediatric chiropractic care is very safe for children of all ages. All of the doctors here at Sleigh Family Chiropractic have undergone extensive training in techniques specific for treating your little one. Chiropractic adjustments for kids are very gentle and very specific.
2. When should you take children to a chiropractor?
Subluxations, or misalignments of the spine, commonly begin during the birthing process, so the sooner you have your child examined by a pediatric chiropractor, the better.
3. How do I know if my baby needs a chiropractor?
All babies should be evaluated by a pediatric chiropractor soon after birth. The reason for this is because the birthing process creates a lot of stress, both physically and emotionally, on your little one. It is during the birthing process in which the first subluxation commonly arises. If left untreated, you may notice that your little one may be experiencing gas, colic, reflux, constipation, or difficulty sleeping.
4. Is pediatric chiropractic the same as chiropractic for adults?
Pediatric chiropractic care is very different from chiropractic for adults. The overall goal of restoring motion into joints that are not able to function as they should and reducing stress on the nervous system is the same, but the technique we use to adjust is very different. Adjustments on kids are very gentle and very specific. The pressure we use is the pressure you would use to check a ripe tomato without denting it. You can be sure your child is getting the best care when choosing our office.
5. Should a child see a chiropractor for ear infections before putting tubes in their ears?
Chiropractic care for ear infections is a great first step. Many times ear infections can arise from subluxations or misalignments within the top bones of the neck. This puts pressure on the nerves that travel to the ear. When these nerves are not able to function properly, the ear is not able to drain fluid, leading to a buildup of fluid within the ear and ear infections.
Chiropractic care ensures proper alignment and motion in the bones of the neck, allowing the nerves that flow to the ear to function so that the ears drain properly, potentially eliminating the need for tubes. We believe in always trying the least invasive option first. So we encourage parents to try chiropractic care before putting their child through the surgery to put tubes in their ears.
Start Pediatric Chiropractic Care in Arlington Heights
Give your child the opportunity to grow and develop with healthy spinal alignment and nervous system function.
The team at Sleigh Family Chiropractic provides gentle, effective pediatric chiropractic care in Arlington Heights, IL, to support your child’s overall health and development.