As we continue to transition through the winter months, I love seeing kids bundled up for outdoor skating at Colonel Samuel Smith Park, families tobogganing at Centennial Park, and youth basketball leagues in full swing across the city. As I watch children in my community stay active through the cold months, I often find myself thinking about how their growing bodies handle all that movement; especially those falls on the ice, and of course those heavy backpacks they carry to school each day.
As a Chiropractor who has worked with families in Etobicoke for over 14 years, I have seen firsthand how parents prioritize their children’s health with dental checkups, vision exams, and annual physicals. However, one aspect of children’s health and development often overlooked is spinal health and nervous system function. Many parents are surprised to learn that Chiropractic care can be a valuable part of supporting their child’s overall development and well-being.
In this article, I want to share what I have learned over the years about Pediatric Chiropractic care, address the most common questions and concerns I hear from parents, and explain why Chiropractic care may be worth considering for your family.
Understanding What Chiropractic Care for Kids Actually Means
When most people think of Chiropractic care, they picture an adult lying on a treatment table receiving adjustments for back pain. Pediatric Chiropractic or Chiropractic for that matter is not that at all! It focuses on the unique needs of developing bodies and takes a gentle, age-appropriate approach that cultivates where a child is in their growth journey.
Children are not simply small adults. Their spines and nervous systems are still developing, so both the assessment process and any care provided is tailored to them. The spine plays a central role in housing and protecting the spinal cord, which is the main communication highway between the brain and the rest of the body. When the spine is properly aligned, this communication can flow freely. When misalignments occur, called subluxations, this creates nerve interference which affects how the nervous system functions and communicates with cells, tissues, and organs throughout the body.
In my practice, I always make sure to take the time to explain to parents that Pediatric Chiropractic care supports healthy development rather than treating disease. It is a conservative, hands-on approach that works with the body’s natural ability to adapt and heal. I remember one mother who told me she wished someone had explained how Chiropractic could help with children’s development years earlier. She had always associated Chiropractic with back pain in adults and never knew the significant impact it could have on her children’s wellness.
Why Growing Bodies Need a Different Approach
Children’s bodies are remarkably adaptable, but they also face unique physical challenges at every stage of development. From the moment of birth through the teenage years, their musculoskeletal systems are constantly changing, and this is the very reason why they need an approach tailored to their developing bodies rather than a scaled-down version of adult care.
The birth process itself places significant mechanical stress on a baby’s spine. Research indicates that an estimated 80 to 120 pounds of pressure is placed through an infant’s neck and spine during delivery. Whether the birth is vaginal or by caesarean section, the forces involved can be life-altering. This does not mean every baby experiences problems, but it does explain why some parents notice their newborns seem uncomfortable, have difficulty latching during breastfeeding, or experience colic.
As babies grow into toddlers, they are learning to crawl, stand, and walk. The average toddler falls dozens of times per day as they work toward walking and becoming more stable coordination wise. Their bodies are designed to handle this, but repeated falls can contribute to patterns of tension or spinal misalignment that affect their developing nervous system.
School-age children face their own set of challenges. Heavy backpacks, long hours spent sitting at desks, and increased screen time wreak havoc on developing spines. I see many children in my Etobicoke practice whose posture has been affected by these modern realities. Rounded shoulders, forward head posture, and neck or back discomfort is becoming increasingly common among younger age groups. One father recently mentioned that his daughter’s teacher had noticed her slouching at her desk, which prompted him to think about her spinal health for the first time.
Active children who participate in sports like hockey, soccer, gymnastics, martial arts, and other activities are great for fitness and confidence, but they also carry injury risk. Sports injuries in children can range from acute injuries to subtle repetitive strain that builds over time. Even minor injuries that seem to resolve on their own can sometimes lead to compensatory movement patterns that affect spinal alignment over time.
Addressing Safety: The Question Every Parent Asks
Parents often wonder whether Chiropractic care is safe for children based on what they know or have seen. I entirely understand as this is your child’s health and you want to ensure that anything you do for them will help them and not harm them.
Pediatric Chiropractic techniques are uniquely different from those used for adults. The pressure applied during an infant adjustment is very light. I often describe it to parents as roughly the same pressure you would use to test the ripeness of a tomato. There is no twisting, no cracking sounds, and no forceful movements. The techniques are tailored to the child’s age, size, and individual needs.
Research published in peer-reviewed journals has consistently found that adverse events from Pediatric Chiropractic care are rare. A systematic review examining the safety of manual therapy for children found that the risk of serious adverse events was extremely low.
I spend significant time during the initial visit getting to know each child and their health history. The most important thing to understand is not just their physical symptoms but also their overall development, activities, and what their parents have observed. This could range from their sleeping patterns, emotional regulation, concentration and eating habits to name a few. Only after a comprehensive evaluation do I determine whether Chiropractic care is appropriate and outline the goals and frequency of care involved for your child. Parents are always part of this conversation, and their questions and concerns will ultimately guide my recommendations.
Over the years, parents have brought their children to see me for various health reasons. Some are dealing with specific concerns, while others simply want to support their child’s overall wellness. These are some of the scenarios I see the most with parents that bring their children to my office:
Postural concerns and the effects of screen time have become increasingly prevalent. Teachers often notice children slouching at their desks. Parents also may start to notice rounded shoulders or one shoulder higher than the other. With kids spending more time on phones, tablets, and computers, the posture typically adopted while using these devices puts an immense amount of strain on the neck and upper back. Posture is a huge area that Chiropractic can help kids with. This has a huge impact on their self-esteem! Depending on their age, Chiropractic adjustments combined with awareness of habits and exercises help strengthen supporting muscles and support their growing bodies.
Colic and breastfeeding difficulties in infants bring many new parents to my office. These health concerns are often the result of spinal misalignment or subluxation in their upper neck which can cause them to favour one side when breastfeeding or have problems with latching. Many parents report significant improvements after a few gentle Chiropractic adjustments. The birth process can create significant tension in an infant’s spine and neck that may contribute to feeding difficulties or general discomfort.
Sports participation and injuries encourage families of young athletes to seek Chiropractic care. Parents want to ensure their children’s bodies can handle the rigorous demands of training and competition. Some see me after an acute injury, while others aim to support optimal function and see me preventatively throughout the training season. I worked with a young hockey player last winter whose parents were concerned about repeated minor injuries. We identified underlying postural and spinal imbalances that, once addressed, appeared to improve his performance consistency.
Growing pains and general discomfort are definitely concerns to be further investigated. While some discomfort during growth spurts is normal, persistent or severe issues in muscles or joints may indicate an underlying cause related to spinal alignment and nervous system function. A Chiropractor can help determine whether spinal alignment might be contributing and how to get your child’s spinal development on the right track.
Ear infections, bedwetting, and recurring colds are concerns some parents raise with me after learning that Chiropractic care may help. To be clear, Chiropractors do not treat these conditions directly. However, because the nervous system influences immune function and other body processes, some parents report improvements in these areas after their children receive Chiropractic care. Individual responses vary, and I always encourage parents to work with their Pediatrician when necessary.
Developmental support and wellness care motivate some families to seek Chiropractic care even when their child has no symptoms. They want to ensure their child’s spine and nervous system are functioning well as a foundation for overall health. Should kids see a Chiropractor if they do not have pain? Once educated on the benefits of Chiropractic care for their child’s developing spine and nervous system, many parents view it in a similar way to dental checkups. You do not wait for a cavity to develop before visiting the dentist, and many families take the same proactive approach to their spinal health.
When Should a Child See a Chiropractor?
Parents often ask me what age is appropriate for a child to see a Chiropractor. The answer is as soon as their child is born. As mentioned earlier, a lot of issues that newborns face such as colic, feeding difficulties, or birth-related issues can often be helped through Chiropractic care. Left unchecked and uncorrected can lead to them developing sleep, postural or behavioural issues as toddlers/adults. Parents may also bring in their toddlers and young children when symptoms arise (i.e. ear infections) or after falls. Older children experiencing posture issues, backpack strain, or sports demands may seek care for the first time. Teenagers experiencing growth spurts or musculoskeletal complaints can also benefit from Chiropractic care.
Some observations that often prompt parents to schedule a visit include uneven shoe wear, one hip or shoulder appearing higher than the other, complaints of stiffness or discomfort, difficulty sitting still, recurring headaches, favouring one side of the body, or a history of falls or injuries.
I had a family come in recently because their thirteen-year-old was complaining about headaches and back pain after carrying her heavy school backpack. That simple concern led to her getting Chiropractic care and seeing a resolution of her symptoms within a few weeks.
How Chiropractic Supports Healthy Development
The spine undergoes tremendous change from infancy through adolescence. A newborn has a relatively C-shaped spinal curve that gradually develops into the S-shaped curves of an adult. This development is influenced by movement, nervous system development, gravity, and the physical experiences of growing up. Crawling helps develop the lower back curve. Walking and running further shape the spine. Every developmental milestone involves the neuromusculoskeletal system.
Chiropractic care supports this process by helping ensure the nervous system and spine moves and develops as it should. When misalignments are present, they can interfere with proper movement patterns and affect nervous system function. Gentle Chiropractic adjustments help restore proper alignment and movement, allowing the body to develop optimally.
Parents often report changes in their children’s health beyond what they initially brought them in for. Better sleep, improved mood, better concentration, and improved emotional regulation are things I hear about regularly. These commonly happen since the nervous system influences every function in the body. When the spine is aligned, and the nervous system can communicate freely, children often feel and function better overall.
Supporting healthy spinal development is about more than just Chiropractic care. It involves movement, choosing age-appropriate physical activity, good nutrition, adequate sleep, and awareness of posture and ergonomics. Chiropractic care can be one piece of this puzzle, helping identify and address biomechanical issues that may interfere with healthy development.
A Trusted Resource for Etobicoke Families
Our community is home to families from all backgrounds, each with its own health philosophies and priorities. I have had the privilege of working with families throughout Etobicoke and the Greater Toronto Area, and I have learned that parents know their children better than anyone else. My role is to provide expertise on spinal health and nervous system function, while parents provide the crucial context for their child.
Whether your child is an infant experiencing discomfort, a school-age kid struggling with posture or backpack strain, or a teenager dealing with sports-related issues, Chiropractic care can help provide guidance and support. It is not a replacement for medical care, but it can be a valuable complement to your family’s overall health approach.
At Clarity Wellness Chiropractic, we are a family-based wellness clinic that welcomes children of all ages. I hold certification in Webster’s Prenatal Technique and have completed extensive training in Pediatric Chiropractic care. We believe in taking a collaborative approach, working alongside parents to support each child’s unique journey toward health and wellness. You can learn more about our approach to caring for children on our Chiropractic and kids page.
Taking the Next Step
If you have been wondering whether Chiropractic care might benefit your child, I encourage you to trust your instincts. Parents often sense when something is not quite right with their child’s posture, movement, or comfort, even when they cannot pinpoint exactly what it is.
Sometimes a conversation is all it takes to determine whether this approach might help your family. If Chiropractic is not the right fit, I am always happy to point you to other resources that might be more appropriate.
Your child’s health and development matter. Taking time to consider all the ways you can support their growing body is one of the most important things you can do as a parent. If you would like to discuss whether Chiropractic care is right for your child, please contact our clinic to schedule a conversation. We would be honoured to support your family’s health.
FAQs About Pediatric Chiropractic
Is Chiropractic care safe for babies and young children?
Yes, when performed by a Chiropractor trained in Pediatric techniques. The methods used for infants and children are gentle, using light pressure similar to that used to test a ripe tomato. Research consistently shows that adverse events are rare and that there are great benefits for their overall health and development.
At what age can a child first see a Chiropractor?
Children can be assessed at any age, including newborns. As mentioned earlier, the best time to get your child checked is as soon as they are born. I’ve checked babies less than 24 hours old and already found misalignments in their upper neck from the birthing process. Some parents bring infants in for colic or feeding difficulties, while others first seek care when their children are older and experiencing posture issues or sports injuries.
Does my child need to be in pain to benefit from Chiropractic care?
Not at all. Many parents proactively have their children’s spines checked, much like regular dental checkups. Identifying and addressing spinal issues earlier in life will support healthier development over time.
How is a Pediatric Chiropractic visit different from an adult visit?
Pediatric visits involve age-appropriate assessment techniques and much gentler adjustments. The environment is designed to be child-friendly, and we take time to explain everything in terms that children can understand. Most children find visits comfortable, fun and even enjoyable!
Can Chiropractic care help my child’s posture?
Chiropractic care can identify spinal misalignments contributing to poor posture, and adjustments can help restore proper alignment. For lasting improvement, this typically works best when combined with awareness of daily habits and, at times where age-appropriate, with strengthening exercises.
I often tell parents that it is better to grow healthy children than to fix injured adults. Getting your child’s spine checked sooner in life will help ensure the most optimal development for their spine and nervous system.
