Chiropractors have been around for many years assisting people in their time of need. Whether you have pain in your back, neck, suffering from a sports injury or chronic headaches, chiropractors can help. But what about my baby? Is chiropractic care for babies safe?
Chiropractors are qualified medical professionals that understand the body using gentle manipulation to help the body heal and restoring the nervous system. Babies can experience tensions and strain along their spine while they are in the early stages of life. There are 3 parts of spinal development in babies. The primary curve, the cervical curve and finally the lumbar curve.
The primary curve is shaped like a “C” when the baby is born. This curve is the primary curve which enables the baby to pull the feet up to the chest known as the fetal tuck. This fetal tuck allows baby to maintain the primary curve alignment reducing pressure on the hips and spine.
The cervical curve is the second stage of spinal development. Your baby will start to interact with the world around him/her. Lifting the head develops muscles in the neck and along the spine. The best way to encourage muscle development along the spine is to give the baby a lot of tummy time. Where he/she can lift their head for the muscles to start developing.
The next stage is the lumbar curve. This is where the baby’s spine starts to develop into the final “S” curve. The lumbar curve starts to develop when the baby starts to crawl. The lumbar curve is responsible for proper postural alignment before the baby takes the first steps. The spinal alignment will be completed around the age of 12 – 18 months. However, without proper alignment during these important milestones, there’s a chance that your child’s spinal curvatures may not develop properly.” This could hamper your child’s physical development and slow the rate at which he/she reaches his/her milestones. Gentle chiropractic manipulations can help to align your baby’s spine and improve his overall posture and ensure spinal health.
Can a chiropractor help my child with cerebral palsy?
A cerebral palsy is a group of permanent movement disorders that appear in early childhood. Signs and symptoms vary among people and over time. Often, symptoms include poor coordination, stiff muscles, weak muscles, and tremors. There may be problems with sensation, vision, hearing, swallowing, and speaking.
Spinal disorders in cerebral palsy and neuromuscular disorders are exceedingly common. It is estimated that up to 80 percent of children with full-body involvement in cerebral palsy will develop a spinal deformity.
Spinal deformity results from muscle imbalance caused by spastic, tight muscles. These curves tend not to respond to braces and will continue to worsen. If the deformity becomes severe, the child can lose the ability to sit. As the curve worsens, skin problems over the buttocks may develop, and heart and lung function may deteriorate.
Surgery is often something we want to avoid where possible. Searching for methods to assist our children living with cerebral palsy. Chiropractic care for children with cerebral palsy has been helpful to improve movement where the movement was previously obstructed.
There is a handful of studies that shows chiropractic care for babies with cerebral palsy is an effective way to enable more movement of the limbs. Children who received spinal manipulation were able to move and even sit with ease after receiving the treatment. With spinal manipulation food can be digested more efficiently, slept easier and peacefully and had improved coordination after receiving chiropractic adjustments. Chiropractic care for babies with cerebral palsy could be the solution for improved movement, better digestion as well as the ability to sleep more peacefully.
Taking care of your spinal health is a necessity to avoid further and/or any damage to the spine that could lead to permanent damage. In the case of kids living with cerebral palsy, there is help. Chiropractors understand the body and how the body functions. By making a few spinal adjustments, you could change your baby’s life forever.
Make your appointment with Dr J Bezuidenhout at Centurion Chiropractor today.
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