CHILDREN & CHIROPRACTIC CARE
Ear Infections, Asthma, Eczema, Allergies, and Digestive Function improve with Chiropractic care
Ear Infections
1½ year-old Hailey had fifteen ear infections in twelve months. Tubes were recommended but her parents Maureen and Eddie decided to try chiropractic instead and Hailey showed significant improvement after two treatments. She was free of ear infections for four years, had one more and has been fine ever since. Her parents also noticed Hailey was talking more, sleeping better and eating better once she was under chiropractic care. Sheighla, their second child, began care at three weeks old to try to prevent illness before it began. Maureen wrote, "It is amazing to me that I could have had Hailey put under anesthesia and operated on at the young age of 1½ and she still would have had problems."
"Darlene" (not her real name) was one year old when her parents brought her in after being referred by her pediatrician. She already had twenty ear infections in ten months and was sick continuously for 2-3 months. Darlene's parents noticed improvements after two chiropractic adjustments. She was eating more, not as upset, happier and smiling, and walking a lot more. After five treatments her mom noticed Darlene was more responsive, alive, bright, awake and communicating more. After six treatments the pediatrician observed a significant reduction in the fluid in her ears and that she was a totally different child. Six months later her ears and sinuses were totally clear.
Asthma, Eczema, Allergies
Leslie and Larry brought ten year-old Caitlin to my office after being referred by Dr. Dana MacPhee, DC. She had severe asthma since age 2½ with multiple allergies and eczema. She had seen multiple doctors and had taken many different medications. After two chiropractic treatments Caitie's vital (lung) capacity increased from 220ml to 280ml and in one month it increased to 325ml. Her skin improved after significantly reducing her dairy intake and after five months of care her updated pulmonary tests at Children's Hospital were better than ever. After 8 months of care she was able to eliminate the sixteen pills a day that she was taking. She did have periods of difficulty but overall her condition improved greatly. Leslie wrote, "What has happened to Caitie's asthma is nothing short of a miracle."
Digestion
Joanne and Dan brought in their 3 week-old son Patrick who was experiencing irregular bowel movements, a blocked tear duct with eye discharge and an SCM/neck swelling. Patrick was practically unaware of the one gentle instrument adjustment he received. Dan reported that the eye cleared up in two days and the bowel movements were better in one week.
How Chiropractic Works
There are many reasons why parents decide to bring their babies and children in for chiropractic care, including ear infections, colic, asthma, allergies, ADD, AD/HD, OCD, PDD, Aspergers, Autism, Tourette’s Syndrome, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia along with other behavioral and cognitive problems, scoliosis treatment, screenings and prevention, post-delivery check-ups and wellness visits, even cerebral palsy. Chiropractic does not treat these problems directly, however. Chiropractic care focuses on restoring motion and integrity to spinal joints and discs that have become dysfunctional (subluxations). Immobile spinal joints reduce the ability of the powerful nerve network buried in these tissues to stimulate the brain. This decreases performance of the brain and may lead to a variety of problems and disorders.
Gentle chiropractic adjustments focus on reducing spinal problems and stimulation of the powerful nerve network that exists in the spinal discs, joints, ligaments and muscles, which in turn stimulate brain activity. This stimulation allows brain cells that might not have been fully healthy to function better. Cells of the brain regulate all body functions, including control of the immune system (ear infections, allergies, illness), lungs (asthma), digestive system (colic), muscles of the spine (scoliosis) and memory, cognition and concentration (ADD, AD/HD, learning disabilities, emotional disorders).
The connections and control mechanisms are quite complex but this explanation provides a basic understanding of how chiropractic treatment works. In essence, chiropractic adjustments turn up the power to the brain by stimulating the rich nerve receptor network found in the joints, discs, ligaments and muscles of the spine. The brain may function better and other systems have an opportunity to function better. Chiropractic care, in conjunction with improved diet, possibly eliminating dairy products, can be very powerful and may help babies become healthier.
Why do Children need Chiropractic care?
Many people wonder why babies and children need chiropractic care. The reason is spinal trauma begins very early. Delivery is very traumatic on such a young, delicate spine, even with "normal" births. In a child’s early years, spinal traumas occur daily when learning how to walk, run and play. Sitting still at school desks with a slumped posture for 15-20 years also takes its toll. Playgrounds, sports and other activities also cause spinal trauma and sitting in front of a computer for hours each day causes additional stress. Essentially life itself accumulates traumas into our spine, which can express as the many different problems already mentioned and often manifest as adult problems later in life.
Babies and children have spines and can traumatize them just as or more easily than an adult spine. With this trauma, spinal joints, discs and muscles lose flexibility and mobility. If the rich supply of nerve endings (receptors) embedded in these tissues cannot stimulate the developing brain appropriately, dysfunctions of health, performance and learning are the result.
Treatment of babies and children at Fuller Chiropractic begins by taking a health history and with an examination. If the case is accepted, Dr. Fuller will then administer adjustments either by hand and/or instrument. Depending on the age of the child and exam findings, other treatment may be utilized including coordination activities, rehabilitation in office and at home. All treatments focus on tapping into the powerful nerve receptor network in the spine and elsewhere to improve brain function and overall health.
Food Choices are always important
Dr. Fuller will recommend dietary changes to assist the babies and children back to health. Although awareness of proper dietary intake has increased over the years, food consumption habits of children steadily worsen. Healthy food choices are crucial for prosperous nervous system development in babies and children, and to maintain healthy nervous systems in adults. Some of the diet recommendations may include elimination of dairy foods (this in itself helps correct many problems greatly), reduction of meat, poultry, eggs, shellfish, and elimination of processed/packaged food and drinks (chips, crackers, candy, soda, etc.). Vegetable, fruit, and whole grain foods need to be increased as usual (depending on food allergies), and fish oil supplementation is important.
If you are concerned about your children's health and development and want to research ways to improve the expression of your child's potential, call Fuller Chiropractic for a consultation and examination. Medical insurance may or may not cover the fees, but close to half of our patients pay out of pocket. The fees are very reasonable, and are often the same as a typical insurance co-payment. We can help you coordinate medical insurance coverage if you wish.
If you have questions prior to scheduling your child for an exam, please consider attending Dr. Fuller’s Health Class where you can get your questions answered. These classes are open to the public at no charge and are offered on select Wednesday evenings at 7:15 PM and Saturday mornings at noon. Call the office to reserve a seat or to talk to Dr. Fuller directly.
Real names used with authorization. Thank you!
Dr. Scott Fuller, DC, CCST, DACNB September 2003 (updated Oct. 2007)
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