It’s almost back to school time for Blue Valley, Overland Park, Olathe, and Johnson County schools! While you may be thinking about your list of all the things you need to do to get your child ready, don’t forget to add a trip to your family chiropractor.
You may wonder why more and more children are seeing pediatric chiropractors. The answer is simple: whether we have a large spine or a small spine, if that spine is creating nerve distress then our bodies cannot operate correctly.
The nervous system is the “Master Controller”
The nervous system is the master controller of our body, and if its communication channels become fuzzy, distorted or damaged then we experience all sorts of communication errors. For babies and children, this ineffective communication may present as colic or irritability, difficulty breastfeeding, poor sleep, developmental delays, digestion issues, asthma, behavioral problems, low energy, inability to concentrate, headaches, etc – the list is endless. Regardless of what the end result or symptom may be, all roads lead back to the nervous system – to the body’s ability to self-regulate and function as it should.
While chiropractic may be able to help with a number of health issues, our focus is not treating or curing ailments; our focus is ensuring the nervous system has every opportunity to work efficiently and effectively.
How do kids get nerve irritation?
Nerve irritations occur as a part of normal daily life. They result from physical, chemical and emotional stressors such as bad posture, sleeping on the tummy, knocks and falls, poor food choices, dehydration, exposure to chemicals and toxins, and stress and anxiety. Even before these lifestyle stressors have an impact, nerve irritation can occur in the uterus from awkward positioning, restriction of movement, and exposure to toxins, and from birth complications such as long labor, very fast labor, forceps or caesarean delivery.
10 reasons to schedule a chiropractic appointment for your child:
- To maximize their neural plasticity (brain & nerve development and learning).
- To enhance their overall health and wellbeing.
- To strengthen immunity and reduce the incidence of colds, ear infections and general illness.
- To help with colic and Irritable Baby Syndrome.
- To help with asthma, breathing difficulties and allergies.
- To improve spinal posture and sports performance.
- To improve their ability to concentrate.
- To assist with behavioral disorders and enhance emotional wellbeing.
- To help alleviate digestive problems.
- To assist with bed-wetting and sleep issues.
When we appreciate how important the nervous system is and how easily it can be impaired, it makes sense that all children deserve to have a well-adjusted spine and nervous system, and should receive regular adjustments. There are children of all ages in our office who receive gentle, pediatric chiropractic care to help them start healthy and stay healthy!
We know how busy your schedule is, that’s why we offer same-day appointments in our Overland Park chiropractic office. Walk-ins are always welcome!
Does your child need a back to school or sports physical? We’ve got you covered there, too! Contact our office and we will be happy to schedule an appointment at a time that is convenient for you. Just bring the required paperwork and we will take care of the rest.
BONUS: Backpack Safety Tips
Don’t forget these helpful backpack safety tips from the American Chiropractic Association.
- Reduce the weight of the backpack. Make sure it weighs no more than 5 to 10 percent of your child’s body weight.
- A backpack with individualized compartments helps in positioning the contents most effectively and distributing weight.
- Use a backpack with wide, padded, adjustable straps. Fit the backpack to your child’s body. Straps that are too loose can cause the backpack to dangle uncomfortably and cause spinal misalignment and pain.
- Keep the backpack at least four inches above the waistline. A backpack that hangs too low increases the weight on the shoulders, causing your child to lean forward when walking.
- Urge your child to wear both shoulder straps. Lugging the backpack around by one strap can cause the disproportionate shift of weight to one side, leading to neck and muscle spasms, as well as low-back pain.
