Chiropractic Care Overland Park

The most common symptoms treated by chiropractic care are back pain, headaches, neck pain and sciatica.  These symptoms are most often seen in adults.  Children rarely complain of these symptoms, so they often go un-noticed by their parents.

We assume that children can “bounce back” more easily than adults after tumbles and falls.  Although this is somewhat true, if injuries are left untreated, they can cause more serious problems later in a child’s life.  The Overland Park chiropractors at Fulk specialize in chiropractic care Overland Park, specifically pediatric chiropractic care.

7 Signs That Your Child May Need Chiropractic Care

1.  Falls

Children often fall many times during their first few years of life.  Whether it’s off a changing table, down a few stairs, off a bike or off the monkey bars; they usually get right back up and keep playing.

However, over time, these traumas to the spine can cause a spinal misalignment – causing some joints to become stiff or “locked up.”  If your child has experienced a major fall, it’s important that they have a chiropractic check up. – Chiropractic Care Overland Park

2.  Excessive Cell Phone, iPod use

Cell phone use is rampant.  The average 2 year old can launch apps on their parent’s phone, play games for a few minutes, then close the app and launch movies or browse through pictures.  In today’s digital age, children play on an iPod or a phone while their parents grocery shop,  or dine at a restaurant.  Looking down at a handheld device pulls the weight of the head forward, putting extra pressure on neck muscles.  A chiropractic check up can tell if a child is beginning to injure their neck muscles over time.

3.  A Heavy Backpack

The average 6th grader carries 18.4 pounds in their backpack to and from school every day.  This can cause back pain, neck pain and spinal stress as the weight of the backpack pulls on the shoulders.  Parents should help children carefully consider which books are necessary to transport to and from classes and lockers.  Through chiropractic treatment, a chiropractic exam and X-rays can give the chiropractor the necessary information to determine the extent to which the extra weight is affecting the body.

4.  Excessive Video Games

The average 3rd-12th grader spends approximately 7.5 hours a day using media (computers, video games, handheld devices and TV).  That adds up to more than 52 hours every week.  When using media, children rarely sit in a position of optimal posture.  Instead, their heads are forward or they slouch down in a chair or couch.  Sitting in this position for long periods of time without giving the spine a chance to “reset” can cause a child’s posture to become misaligned.

5.  Trouble Breastfeeding

During birth a baby’s head is sometimes turned by a doctor to aid the mother in the birthing process.  This can cause trauma to their cranium and spine.  Even without medical interventions, the birth process is stressful for the baby.  Spinal misalignments can cause difficulties when the baby attempts to breastfeed.  These babies can have difficulty latching on to the mother’s breast resulting in frustration for both the mother and child.  Through chiropractic care, a chiropractor can evaluate and adjust the areas of the baby’s spine that are limiting movement.  In over 30 years of practice, our chiropractic office has seen many mothers experience great results with this chiropractic treatment.

6.  Growth Spurts

Children grow incredibly fast during their first 4 years of life – as many as 4 inches per year on average.  While a child is learning to crawl, the natural curve of their neck is being formed.  When toddlers begin to stand an walk, they are developing the natural curve of their low back.

Having chiropractic care during these important growth spurts can ensure these spinal curves are forming correctly.

7.  Auto Injury from Car Accidents

Car accidents can cause serious auto injuries to both adults and children, but often chiropractic care for children is overlooked.  The forward and backward head movement that occurs during a car accident can cause the neck muscles to over extend.  This type of auto injury is called whiplash.   If treated properly, whiplash injuries can heal – restoring normal motion to the neck and preventing the common injuries resulting from joints that remain locked up for long periods of time. – Chiropractic Care Overland Park

Whether or not children complain of symptoms or experience an obvious “trauma” during their childhood, a chiropractic check up can ensure that the their spine and joints are developing properly.

The 11 chiropractors of Fulk Chiropractic specialize in pediatric chiropractic care, treating children from infancy through adolescence.  They offer services 7 days a week to Overland Park, Gardner, Spring Hill, Olathe, Lenexa and Leawood KS as well as the entire Kansas City Metro area.