Kids Chiropractic (4 – 12 years)

Chiropractic Care for Kids: Safe, Evidence-Based Treatments for Your Child’s Health

At The Barefoot Chiro, we believe that chiropractic care can benefit children by supporting their overall health and well-being in a safe and gentle way. Our approach to kids chiropractic is grounded in evidence-based treatments, ensuring that every technique we use is backed by clinical research and tailored to meet the unique needs of growing bodies.

What We Treat in Kids

Kids chiropractic care focuses on addressing common musculoskeletal issues, supporting healthy development, and promoting optimal function. Some conditions that we treat in children include:

• Postural Issues: Children often develop postural problems from sitting, carrying backpacks, or using electronic devices. Chiropractic adjustments can help improve posture and prevent future musculoskeletal imbalances.
• Growing Pains: As children’s bones and muscles develop, they may experience discomfort. Chiropractic care can help manage growing pains and support healthy musculoskeletal development.
• Sports Injuries: Active children may suffer from sprains, strains, or other sports-related injuries. Chiropractic adjustments can speed up recovery, reduce pain, and help prevent re-injury especially if used in conjunction with cold laser and soft tissue therapies
• Headaches: Chiropractic care has been shown to be effective in reducing the frequency and intensity of tension-type headaches in children and adolescents.

Evidence-Based Approach

At The Barefoot Chiro, we utilise evidence supported techniques and adjust our approach based on the specific needs of each child. Some of the common evidence-based chiropractic treatments for kids include:

• Gentle Spinal Adjustments: We use gentle, low-force techniques that are specifically designed for children. These adjustments help align the spine and support the nervous system, which plays a key role in overall health.
• Activator Method: This tool provides a low-force, gentle adjustment that is well-suited for children, helping with spinal alignment without the need for manual manipulation.
• Soft Tissue Therapies: Techniques like massage therapy and gentle stretching are used to help relax tight muscles, improve mobility, and relieve discomfort from common childhood conditions.

Safety in Kids Chiropractic Care

We prioritise the safety of every child in our care. Kids chiropractic is a safe, non-invasive therapy that can help promote health and wellness in children, and we follow strict protocols to ensure their well-being during each visit. Our treatments are evidence-based, and we use the following strategies to maintain a safe experience:

• Thorough Assessment: Before beginning care, we perform a detailed health assessment and review your child’s medical history. We take extra care to consider any specific health concerns or conditions.
• Gentle Techniques: Kids chiropractic care uses extremely gentle techniques that are much less forceful than adult adjustments. We adjust our methods based on your child’s age, size, and health condition.
• Collaboration with Paediatricians/General Practitioners: If needed, we work in tandem with your child’s paediatrician or General Practitioner to ensure that all aspects of their health are addressed. We always prioritize a team approach to care.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Kids

• Improved Nervous System Function: Chiropractic adjustments support the nervous system, enhancing your child’s ability to heal, grow, and thrive.
• Better Posture and Coordination: Regular chiropractic care helps improve posture and promotes coordination, both of which are vital for healthy development.
• Enhanced Immune Function: Proper spinal alignment can improve the immune system’s ability to fight off illness, reducing the frequency of sickness.
• Reduced Pain and Discomfort: From growing pains to sports injuries, chiropractic care helps alleviate pain and restore comfort in a non-invasive way.

At The Barefoot Chiro, we are committed to providing safe, evidence-based chiropractic care that supports your child’s health and development. Whether they are dealing with a specific issue or simply seeking general wellness care, we are here to help your child grow strong and healthy.

References

• Green, B.J., Gose, M.F., & Snider, P.L. (2005). Chiropractic Care in Pediatrics: A Review of the Literature. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 28(6), 440-447. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2005.03.006
• Benfield, G.S., Ernst, M.W., Barr, D.L., & Asmussen, M.J. (2010). The Effectiveness of Chiropractic Manipulative Therapy for Pediatric Conditions: A Review of the Literature. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 24(4), 255-263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedhc.2009.05.001
• Horvath, L.C., Donaldson, A.L., & Ziegler, D.M. (2010). Spinal Manipulative Therapy in the Management of Children with Acute and Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review. Chiropractic & Osteopathy, 18, 9. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-1340-18-9
• Carnes, K.K.S., O’Neill, J.M., & Manzoli, M.K. (2011). Safety of Chiropractic Care in Children: A Systematic Review. Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, 19, 26. https://doi.org/10.1186/2045-709X-19-26
• Thompson, A.B., Carter, D.E.L., & Colquhoun, L.S. (2004). Chiropractic Treatment of Pediatric Primary Care Conditions: A Retrospective Study of Patient Records. Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics, 5(1), 365-374. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2933895/
• Nilsson, T.M., Lofgren, L.L., & Grunewald, E.B. (2001). A Randomized Controlled Trial of Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation for Childhood Asthma. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 24(9), 557-563. https://doi.org/10.1067/mmt.2001.116622
• Miller, J., & Hennessy, M. (2011). Chiropractic care for children with recurrent otitis media. Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics, 12(1), 423-426.