Pediatric Chiropractic - Why Kids Need Chiropractic Care Too
When most people think about chiropractic care, they often associate it with adults seeking relief from back pain, neck pain, or general musculoskeletal discomfort. While chiropractic care can certainly help reduce pain and improve mobility, its purpose extends far beyond symptom relief—especially when it comes to children.
Pediatric chiropractic care focuses on supporting the nervous system during critical stages of growth and development. From birth through adolescence, a child’s body is constantly adapting to physical, chemical, and emotional stressors. Ensuring the nervous system is functioning optimally can help support healthy development, resilience, and overall well-being.
Why the Nervous System Matters for Children
The nervous system is the body’s master control system. It coordinates movement, digestion, immune responses, sleep patterns, and developmental milestones. In children, this system is still developing, which means interference or imbalance can sometimes show up in subtle ways rather than obvious pain.
Stressors such as birth trauma, falls, prolonged sitting, sports participation, poor posture, or even emotional stress can affect how the nervous system communicates with the body. Because children may not always verbalize discomfort the same way adults do, changes in behavior, digestion, sleep, or development can sometimes be the first signs that the body is under stress.
Chiropractic care for children is centered on identifying and addressing these areas of interference early, with the goal of supporting healthy function rather than waiting for symptoms to become more severe. For families looking for a pediatric chiropractor Charleston, SC, Cypress Chiropractic Care & Wellness offers a gentle, proactive approach to supporting children’s health from the very beginning.
Pediatric Chiropractic – Why Kids Need Chiropractic Care Too
Most people when thinking of chiropractic care simply think that chiropractic helps with back pain, neck pain, hip pain, and just musculoskeletal pain in general. While chiropractic often reduces back pain and symptoms, going to the chiropractor for back pain is just like going to Starbucks for a glass of milk. There is so much more to offer!
Chiropractic is all about removing barriers that inhibit the nervous system from functioning and flowing freely. These barriers are called subluxations and chiropractors are the only health professionals that can do this within their scope-of-practice.
All 12 systems of the body - muscular, circulatory, respiratory, immune, reproductive, digestive, skeletal, endocrine, exocrine, urinary, cardiovascular. - depend on the nervous system to function. Wouldn’t you want the nervous system of your child to be at 100%?
Children may not specifically complain of back and neck pain, but symptoms in a child may present differently since the systems of their body are developing. While you do not need a specific symptom to get your child checked and adjusted, because symptoms are not a determinate of health, here are some reasons why chiropractic should be considered…
Traumatic birth (Ex. Induced labor, c-section, breech presentation, extremely long labor, etc.)
Colic/Excessive Crying
Constipation/Diarrhea
Posture
Allergies
Asthma
Ear Infections
Not reaching normal developmental milestones
Trouble Sleeping
Scoliosis
Sports participation
GER/Acid Reflux
ADD/ADHD
Asperger’s Syndrome
Autism
Torticollis
Breast-feeding difficult
Etc. Etc. Etc.
Here is a list of articles that show positive outcomes in pediatric chiropractic care:
1. A 13 day old boy went in for a chiropractic consultation due to "failure to thrive.” The baby had lost 27 ounces since birth. The parents were providing around the clock care to keep him alive. He cried excessively, breastfeeding was difficult, and his mother described him as lethargic and with a weak cry. Medical intervention did not help, however after 8 chiropractic visits that took place within 2 weeks, the baby gained 1 lb. 11oz. and breastfeeding difficulty was resolved.
Resolution of Failure to Thrive in an Infant Following Chiropractic Care to Reduce Vertebral Subluxation: A Case Report & Review of the Literature. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, Chiropractic ~ January 6, 2021 ~ Pages 1-4. Santos J, Alcantara J. Abstract
2. A one-year-old infant that suffered 4 bilateral ear infections for a period of 6 months presented for chiropractic care. Medical intervention included prescribed antibiotics. The ear infections interfered with the child’s sleep and attitude. Subluxations were found throughout the spine and were treated with chiropractic care that consisted of 9 adjustments over a 6 week period with resolution of the ear infections completely without recurrence.
Resolution of Chronic, Recurrent Bilateral Ear Infections Following Chiropractic Care in a One-Year-Old Infant: A Case Report & Review of the Literature. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health - Chiropractic. Sigmon P, Alcantara J. Abstract
3. A 9-year-old male with Asperger’s Syndrome presented with low back pain, mid-back pain, stomach aches, and anxiety. He was treated with chiropractic care 1x/week for 2 months. Not only did the musculoskeletal symptoms improve, but so did his behavioral challenges as measured by the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist.
Improvement in Behavior, Anxiety, & Pain Following Chiropractic Care in a 9-Year-Old Boy with Asperger's Syndrome and Anxiety Disorder: Case Report & Review of the Literature. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health - Chiropractic. Laura Stone, MS, DC & Joel Alcantara, DC. Abstract
4. A 6-month-old female presented with Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) since birth. She was diagnosed prior to chiropractic care to be allergic to milk and soy, which were removed from her diet. She was provided chiropractic care 2 times a week for 4 weeks, and then 1 time a week for 6 weeks. The infant’s GER was resolved.
Resolution of Gastroesophageal Reflux in an Infant Following Chiropractic Care to Reduce Vertebral Subluxation: A Case Report & Review of Literature. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health - Chiropractic. Angela Egan, DC & Joel Alcantara, DC. Abstract
5. A 2-month-old female was experiencing acid reflux and constipation since birth. Her pediatrician prescribed Prilosec for her acid reflux, which did not resolve the issue. She was unable to eat without spitting up, unable to sleep due to pain, and was visibly straining to have a bowel movement. The pediatrician recommended Miralax, but the mother took it into her own hands and put her under chiropractic care. The girl was provided chiropractic care for 12 visits over 6 weeks. Her issues have been resolved.
Resolution of Chronic Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Constipation in an Infant Following Chiropractic to Reduce Vertebral Subluxation: A Case Report & Review of the Literature. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, Chiropractic. Brooke Bryant, DC & Joel Alcantara, DC. Abstract
These are just 5 articles that include the treatment of subluxations resulting in the resolution of “failure to thrive,” chronic ear infections, Asperger’s Syndrome, back pain, GER, acid reflux, and constipation. There are so many more articles that include the improvement and resolutions of many more conditions such as the one’s listed above, simply by getting adjusted and ridding the body of subluxations.
All people benefit from chiropractic care, including children, so get your kids adjusted and allow them to heal and be the best that they can be!
What Pediatric Chiropractic Care Looks Like
Many parents are surprised to learn that chiropractic adjustments for children look very different from those performed on adults. Pediatric care uses gentle, age-appropriate techniques designed to support comfort and safety at every stage of development—from infants to teenagers.
Care plans are individualized and often focus on consistency rather than intensity. The goal is to support nervous system function as children grow, move, learn, and adapt to their environment.
When Parents Commonly Explore Pediatric Chiropractic
Parents often seek pediatric chiropractic care when they notice challenges related to:
Birth recovery and early development
Digestive comfort and feeding
Sleep patterns and emotional regulation
Posture, coordination, and activity levels
Sports participation and physical stress
In many cases, parents are not looking to “treat” a condition, but rather to support their child’s overall health and adaptability.
Supporting Children’s Health From the Start
A healthy nervous system lays the foundation for growth, development, and resilience. Pediatric chiropractic care is about supporting that foundation early, rather than waiting for problems to arise later in life.
By addressing stressors as they occur and supporting nervous system balance, chiropractic care can be a valuable part of a child’s wellness journey—working alongside other healthcare approaches to promote long-term health.
Ready to Support Your Child’s Nervous System?
If you’re looking for a trusted pediatric chiropractor in Charleston, SC, our team at Cypress Chiropractic is here to support your family. We take a gentle, thoughtful approach to pediatric care, focusing on nervous system function, comfort, and long-term well-being.
Whether your child is a newborn, an active toddler, or a growing teen, pediatric chiropractic care can help support their body through every stage of development.
Schedule a pediatric chiropractic consultation today and learn how chiropractic care can support your child’s health naturally and proactively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is chiropractic care safe for children?
Yes, pediatric chiropractic care is considered safe when performed by a licensed chiropractor trained in pediatric techniques. Care is adapted to a child’s size, age, and stage of development, using gentle and controlled methods.
How gentle are pediatric chiropractic adjustments?
Pediatric chiropractic adjustments are extremely gentle and often use light pressure comparable to checking the ripeness of a peach. Techniques are designed specifically for infants and children and do not involve forceful movements.
What age can children start seeing a chiropractor?
Children can be seen by a chiropractor as early as infancy, including newborns. Many parents choose chiropractic care shortly after birth to support nervous system function and early development.
Can chiropractic care help with colic in babies?
Chiropractic care may help support infants with colic by addressing nervous system stress and spinal tension. Care focuses on gentle adjustments that support comfort and regulation, not forceful manipulation.
Does chiropractic care help with sleep issues in kids?
Chiropractic care can help support better sleep by improving nervous system regulation and reducing physical stress. When the nervous system is calmer, children may find it easier to relax and rest.
Can chiropractic care help with reflux in infants
Chiropractic care may help infants with reflux by supporting proper nervous system communication involved in digestion. Gentle adjustments aim to reduce tension and improve overall comfort, not replace medical care.
Thanks for reading the Cypress Chiropractic Health Blog. Until next time, stay healthy.