4 Reasons to Take Your Child to the Chiropractor

4 Reasons to Take Your Child to the Chiropractor

Chiropractors are a far underutilized slice of the medical care field. The spine and nervous system is critical to every single one of our body’s vital functions, so proper care is essential. Chiropractic benefits don’t end with simply alleviating chronic back pain in adults. Proper spinal care contributes to a holistic approach in plenty of health treatments not only for adults, but children as well.

Even if your child doesn’t suffer from chronic back pain, there are plenty of other reasons to take them in to see a chiropractor. Here are just a few!

1. To Improve Brain and Nervous System Health

A study published in the medical journal Neural Plasticity has shown that spinal misalignments can negatively affect brain function up to 20%. While that is a huge percentage for anyone, this is especially alarming for children.

The way that the brain and nervous system develop during childhood will impact your child for the rest of their lives. A properly adjusted spine ensures that the nervous system can operate unimpeded. Misalignment, also called subluxation, can block or disrupt communication between the brain, nervous system, and the nerve endings that branch out from i. If this misalignment goes unchecked, the problem may become more permanent.

2. Chiropractic Adjustments are Preventative

Far too many adults suffer from chronic back pain. Teaching children proper spine care early o teaches them to maintain that care for life, preventing further issues down the road.

The preventative benefits do not end there. A misaligned spine has been known to cause a variety of health problems like constipation, colic, bed wetting, insomnia, hyperactivity, and more. Making sure that a child’s spine is functioning properly prevents a laundry list of medical issues that would require greater reactive treatment when they grow up. Why not stop the problems before they begin?

3. Proper Alignment Boosts the Immune System

Stress. Adults have it in spades. Well so do kids. Studies have demonstrated the negative impacts of stress hormones like cortisol on the immune system and how it can cause a plethora of health problems.

Even a small subluxation can cause a jump in the body’s production of cortisol. The problem is, small misalignments often go unnoticed among patients because they don’t have any visible symptoms, such as back pain. If a subluxation develops in a child unnoticed, their bodies could be producing extra cortisol well into adulthood.

4. Improved Posture for All Ages

We all remember adults telling us as children to sit up straight, don’t slouch, chest up and shoulders back. Sitting has been proven to be one of the worst things we can do for our posture and, guess what? In today’s world of computers, kids spend more and more time sitting down than ever before.

Proper chiropractic care can help fix a child’s posture early on so they develop good lifelong habits. Good posture has been linked to a lower risk of heart and lung disease, so by helping your child build good spine and posture habits, you are helping them avoid future life threatening medical problems.

Like with anything in life, it is easier to prevent a medical issue than to fix it. Bringing your child to the chiropractor keeps their bodies in shape early in life, giving them a chance to develop and grow unimpeded by spinal issues. Set your children up for success by bringing them in to Get Well Chiropractic for an adjustment today.

Taking Care Of Your Spine In Cold Weather

Taking Care Of Your Spine In Cold Weather

Your spine is, quite literally, the backbone of your body. It helps to keep your nervous system and immune system functioning properly; any small disruption can lead to discomfort, injury, or other issues. Back pain is unpleasant in itself, and it’s especially frustrating when you simply want to spend time with friends and family during the holidays.

If You’re Engaging in Cold Winter Sports, Do So Safely

It’s important to talk to your doctor and keep your spine in mind before you practice any winter sports. Sledding or ice skating might not seem risky, but if you have a condition that might be aggravated, these activities can become dangerous. Your chiropractor will be able to let you know if you have to worry about problems or not, so it’s good to speak with them beforehand to identify any precautions you should take.

Some spinal conditions can lead to situations when you have decreased sensation in your extremities. Decreased hand-eye coordination can be frustrating if you want to perform winter sports, and it can even make you more prone to injuries. That’s why it makes sense to avoid winter sports until you get the green light from the doctor.

Use the Right Protective Equipment

We encourage you to use the best protective equipment. You want clothes that will insulate your body and keep the you warm. In addition, any protective layers for your back and spine in particular will be much appreciated. Avoid shoes with a slick sole, as they can make you prone to falling and injuring your back.

Do Lots of Stretches

These are designed to help protect your back and promote flexibility. Before you engage in any activity or sport, it’s a great idea to stretch. Especially in the cold winter weather, you will need to “warm up” your muscles to decrease your risk of injury.

Get Adjusted Regularly

Your chiropractor will let you know how to take care of your spine and avoid any potential damage. He can give you a spinal care treatment as well, so that you and your spine will be as healthy as possible. Understanding the health of your spine, as well as any physical limitations you may have, will help you to accurately assess your ability to handle various activities. The more you focus on protecting your spine, the better you’ll feel in the end.

We encourage you to use these tips if you want to prevent any potential spinal damage. The last thing you want is to have any problems with your back, so using these spinal care tips will be helpful in taking care of your overall health. It might take a while to adapt them to your own requirements, but try to keep them in mind. They might save your life or at least prevent any major spinal injuries!

Schedule an appointment with us today! Here at Get Well Chiropractic of Northville, we believe that it’s essential to take care of your spine all year long.