Pediatric Chiropractic in York
A person’s nerve system develops from the time they’re born, and when a baby grows to a year old, they triple in body size and learn to walk that first year. There’s massive neurological development in the first year of life. “We take care of infants to get them started with a good nerve system and good muscular development coordination before they’re a year old,” said Dr. Sheaffer.
Ensuring Proper Growth & Development
With little kids, they’re still growing, so when their spine is growing, it’s so crucial that kids grow up with a healthy nerve system to keep their organs functioning well. Structurally, we don’t want unusually bad curves to develop in children’s necks and backs. Chiropractic can help the spinal curves develop correctly.
With so many kids and teens spending lots of time on digital devices, from texting to gaming, they’re looking down much of the time, which results in poor posture. Dr. Sheaffer not only sees young patients with poor posture, but also headaches, neck and back pain. “They grow with these subluxations in their spine, and end up getting arthritis when they’re in their early 20s or even late teens,” he said. Chiropractic care along with exercises and some lifestyle changes can help improve posture and address headaches and other types of pain.
A child with a healthy nervous system will also have a healthier brain and will do better in school. Subluxations, especially in the upper neck effect the brain!
Chiropractic can also help young athletes, such as kids who play contact sports like football, hockey, soccer and basketball. How? By preventing childhood injuries from becoming long-term problems and permanent conditions when they’re older.
Our practice is kid-friendly with lots of books and games, making it a fun space for children. For kids who are old enough, Dr. Sheaffer will have them watch a brief video on chiropractic with their parents. If a child is over 5, we would do a painless nerve system scan. We don’t order X-ray on kids unless they’ve sustained a trauma like falling off a swing or bike.
When it comes time for the adjustment, Dr. Sheaffer will adjust them on top of their mom or dad, while the parent is lying on the table on their back. That way Mom or Dad can hug and hold them while they’re getting adjusted the first time. Sometimes, Dr. Sheaffer will adjust a child while they’re standing up with the mom or dad.
Kids who are a little older usually want to climb up on the table and show parents they know what to do!
Please allow about 45 minutes for this first appointment. Subsequent visits are fairly brief as it takes just a few minutes to adjust a child.
Is it safe for kids to get adjusted?
Yes, it’s very safe. We use light-force instruments on babies and young children.
Understandably, some kids are a little nervous the first time they come in for care. Dr. Sheaffer and Dr. Lawson are kind and caring, and never forces any child to get adjusted. We find that usually when Mom or Dad holds them, they are fine with getting adjusted. And kids are always with their parents when they come in.
We see babies as soon as moms return from the hospital after being born. Many, many new babies are checked for spine and nerve problems before they are a week old!
Book an Appointment
We want to help your child get off to a healthy start in life. Contact Sheaffer Family Chiropractic today to schedule an appointment!
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