Most visits to the chiropractor for children focus on preventive treatments for asthma, ear infections, allergies and other non-threatening ailments. However, a significant number of children are left alarmingly untreated after major automobile accidents, and they need to be examined even after minor personal injuries as well.

Even a restrained child in a car seat can suffer spinal trauma as the result of an accident. Very often, after being examined and x-rayed at the hospital, if a child is not displaying open signs of pain, discomfort or injury, they are dismissed with no follow-up after the accident except perhaps a family doctor.

While a visit to the family doctor will be of benefit, children involved in automobile accidents also need to have their spine examined by a pediatric chiropractor as soon after the incident as possible to rule out major spinal trauma.

Additionally, regular spinal checkups for children are important not only for monitoring spinal development, but also for periodic realignments. Daily life as a child offers many opportunities to misalign or unknowingly damage the spine, and even minor injuries can effect drastic changes in a child’s behavior, mood, and overall health.

Infants and Spinal Health

Infants are subjected to potential spinal injuries almost daily. Beginning with birth and any resulting injuries when traveling through the birth canal, to sudden stops in cars and falls, any significant unsupported movement of the head and neck can cause subluxations of the vertebra. The simple act of learning to walk can bring injury to the sacroiliac joints of the pelvis, and lower spinal trauma, due to the number of times children fall at this time in their development.

How To Tell If Your Child Has a Spinal Problem

Although a specialist is advised for determining factually whether your child is actually suffering from a spinal injury, there are some signs you may look for in determining whether a visit to a chiropractor might be necessary.

If your child tends to favor one side of their head over another, tilting it in one direction only

If your child does not have the full range of motion for their head or neck, restrictions of any kind to normal movement

If your child’s sleep patterns become restless or disturbed, they will only sleep for a few hours at a time

In very small children, feeding issues may appear, or they may show difficulty nursing or a preference for one breast over the other

Some typical childhood ailments such as earaches, colic, headaches, sore throats, growing pains and bed-wetting, are some disorders that can be signs of deeper spinal issues