Chiropractic Kids – Choosing Wellness

By Jolene M. Garvey D.C. of Garvey Chiropractic L.L.C.

Chiropractic is the most popular form of complimentary and alternative medicine according to a new government study.  As a chiropractor I look at how structural distortions of the body—primarily the skull, spine, and pelvis, can influence how the nervous system functions on a structural and biochemical level.

People are becoming more aware of the benefits of chiropractic care.  What many people do not realize is this holds true, especially for children.  A normal birth is a traumatic event on a child, not to mention for the mother.  Now, factor in a caesarian section or forceps delivery which can damage the very delicate cartilage and membranes of the baby’s nervous system.

Children, in their early years, are learning to hold their head up, scoot, crawl, and walk with an abundance of bumps and falls along the way.  This only accentuates the necessity of chiropractic care for children.  The majority of neurological connections a child will develop and utilize into adulthood are established before age six.  It only makes sense to have your child checked by a chiropractor to ensure the proper development structurally and neurologically right from the beginning.

Please realize that the chiropractic examination and assessment of a child significantly differs from an adult.  Chiropractors assess cranial nerve function, reflexes, milestone development, address dietary issues and observe structural anatomy.  Modifications can be made to the hundreds of adjusting techniques and styles utilized by chiropractors to be more specific for children.  Chiropractic adjusting techniques for children utilize minimal pressure, rather than more forceful techniques used on adults by some chiropractors.  Children, especially infants require only “pinky pressure” during a chiropractic adjustment.

It is not uncommon for children to be brought to the chiropractor with conditions such as otitis media (ear infections), colic, bedwetting, constipation, developmental delays, seizure disorders, torticollis, scoliosis, headaches, vision disturbances, hip problems, plagiocephaly (abnormal head shape), autism, A.D.H.D., cerebral palsy, difficulty breastfeeding, and many more symptoms.

Without any background in anatomy or physiology it can be difficult to understand how chiropractic can help with these conditions.  Take for example, otitis media (ear infections) which affects 2/3 of the children in the United States by the age of two.  Ear infections are the most common cause of hearing loss in children, in addition to the most common diagnosis for a child under age fifteen visiting a medical office.

You are probably wondering how chiropractic adjustments can help with otitis media?  The Eustachian tube is the area involved in an ear infection.  In a developing child this tube lies at a different angle (more horizontal) than adults and is prone to collecting fluid, especially if the child’s spine is out of alignment—often referred to as a vertebral subluxation in chiropractic.  When there is a structural distortion in a child’s spine it can place pressure on surrounding tissues including blood vessels, nerves and muscles.  Secondly, this problem also creates aberrant signaling which interferes with proper nervous system communication to and from the involved area.

An underlying premise in chiropractic is that structure dictates function, with the understanding that every bodily function is ultimately controlled by the nervous system.  To be very specific regarding nervous system involvement in an ear infection we have to consider the influence of two structures.  First we will consider the Tensor Veli Palatini muscle which attaches to the Eustachian tube and is innervated by the Mandibular nerve, the 3^rd branch of the Trigeminal nerve.  I realize this structure sounds more like a dish at the Olive Garden than a muscle.  Honestly, I too wonder how some things get their names.  Secondly, the Tensor Tympani muscle attaches to the Eustachian tube and is controlled by the Mandibular division of the Trigeminal nerve by the way of the Otic Ganglion.  Yet again, this muscle sounds more of a musical instrument than anatomy!  Neurology is very complex, but just knowing the innervations of these structures you can begin to understand how a chiropractic adjustment can positively influence the nervous system to allow the Eustachian tube to drain properly.

Dr. Joan Fallon, a chiropractor who practices in Yonkers, New York, has published research showing that, after receiving a series of chiropractic adjustments, nearly 80% of the children treated with chiropractic adjustments were free of ear infections for at least the six-month period following their initial visits and a series of maintenance treatments every four to six weeks thereafter.

One of the most interesting studies was based on the examination and adjustment of 1,000 infants by Dr. Gutmann, a German physician.  He concluded blocked nerve activity at the level of the first vertebrae can cause central motor impairment and lower resistance to infections, especially those of the ear, nose and throat.

Specific nutritional supplementation can enhance a child’s quality of life and overall health dramatically.  Unfortunately, the United States has what is referred to as the S.A.D. (Standard American Diet) made up of soda, chips, pre-packaged convenience foods, unhealthy fats and more sugar than Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory.  An improper diet, especially early in life can lead to food intolerances and allergies.  In addition, diet can be the underlying cause of many common problems including obesity, constipation/diarrhea, autoimmune disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, A.D.D/A.D.H.D., hyperactivity, digestive disorders, decreased immunity, failure to thrive, and spitting up.  Nutrition is just as important as regular chiropractic check-ups in order to be healthy.

All licensed chiropractors have the ability to treat children, but some hold a postgraduate specialty in chiropractic pediatrics and pregnancy.  This program is an intense 360 hour, three year course of study by the International Chiropractic Association – Council on Chiropractic Pediatrics.  Upon completion of the program a chiropractor earns their Diplomat in Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics (D.I.C.C.P.) credential.  Less than 1% of chiropractors specialize in this very humbling realm of chiropractic.  Only 17 chiropractors in Wisconsin and only 147 chiropractors in the world currently hold this credential.  For more information please refer to www.icapediatrics.com.

Chiropractic offers a different approach to healthcare and wellness.  Take a moment to reflect and set health goals for you and your family.  Discover Chiropractic.  Discover True Health.

References:

Barnes P, Powell-Griner E, McFann K, Nahin R. “Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Adults”  CDC Advance Data Report #343: United States, 2002.

Schmiedel G.O. Peripheral Nervous System: Palmer College of Chiropractic – Davenport, IA. 2003.

Fallon J.  “The Role of the Chiropractic Adjustment in the Care and Treatment of 332 Children with Otitis Media.” Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics. Vol. 2, No. 2. October 1997.

Gutmann G. “Blocked Atlantal Nerve Syndrome in Infants and Small Children.” Originally published in Manuelle Medizine, Springer-Verlag, 1987. English translation published in International Review of Chiropractic 46(4):37 July/Aug 1990.

Arnig, Claudia and Plaugher, Eric.  Pediatric Chiropractic. 1998. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins: New York.

www.wikipedia.com  Information revealed and reported from the World Wide Web on February 25, 2008.