Pediatric Chiropractic
Why Pediatric Chiropractic Care
Dr. Martin Rosen is a highly respected and renowned pediatric chiropractic specialist with over four decades of experience dedicated to pediatric and family care. As an expert in Sacro Occipital Technique® (SOT®) and a certified chiropractic craniopath, Dr. Rosen has committed his career to advancing the field of chiropractic care for children, providing exceptional treatment, and educating practitioners worldwide on the importance of early intervention and specialized techniques for pediatric patients.
Understanding the critical nature of early spinal and neurological development, Dr. Rosen has focused on helping children achieve optimal health and function from birth onwards. His comprehensive approach integrates spinal and cranial adjusting techniques, ensuring that children receive the best possible care to support their growth and development.
Why Early Chiropractic Care is Important for Children
From birth to age two, a child’s brain undergoes the most dynamic and critical phase of development. During this period, the brain and nervous system form crucial connections and pathways that lay the foundation for a child’s future cognitive, emotional, and physical capabilities. Any interference or damage to the nervous system during this time can have far-reaching and permanent effects, impacting a child’s nervous, immune, hormonal, and cognitive systems, as well as overall development.
The Impact of Birth Trauma
Birth can be a physically demanding process for both mother and child. Assisted deliveries—such as C-sections, forceps use, vacuum extraction, or induction—can increase the likelihood of trauma to an infant’s spine and nervous system. This trauma often results in subluxations, or misalignments, particularly in the upper cervical spine (neck) and brain stem. While these subluxations may not be immediately noticeable, they can lead to various symptoms and health issues later in life, such as headaches, postural problems, sleep disorders, and difficulties concentrating.
As stated in the Journal of Manual Medicine: “Traumatization of the suboccipital structures inhibits functioning of the proprioceptive feedback loops. The motor development, though preprogrammed, cannot develop normally… These children may show only minor symptoms in the first months of their life but later on at the age of 5 or 6, they suffer from headaches, postural problems or diffuse symptoms like sleep disorders, being unable to concentrate, etc.”
The Importance of the First Six Years of Life
By age six, about 90% of a child’s neurological development is complete. During this period, it’s essential to ensure their spine is checked regularly for subluxations, which can create abnormal compensatory patterns carried into adulthood. These patterns, if left uncorrected, can lead to a lower functional threshold in the nervous system, leaving it more susceptible to dysfunction and disease.
Key Brain Development Milestones:
These rapid developmental changes underscore the importance of maintaining optimal neurological function during these formative years.
Why Children Need Regular Chiropractic Care
Regular chiropractic care can play a vital role in a child’s development, helping to reduce the effects of recurrent micro or macro-traumas from sources like sports injuries, falls, auto accidents, traumatic emotional events, food sensitivities, toxic environments, and more. Chiropractic adjustments can help:
The Wisdom of Early Intervention
Major Bertrand De Jarnette, the founder of Sacro Occipital Technique® (SOT®), recognized the significance of chiropractic care for children. He emphasized that a child’s first subluxation often occurs between birth and age seven. If left uncorrected, this primary misalignment can become a persistent source of dysfunction throughout life. SOT offers a gentle, safe, and effective technique for adjusting pediatric patients, ensuring their nervous systems develop in a healthy, balanced manner.
By addressing subluxations early, chiropractic care can help set the stage for a child’s optimal growth and development, preventing long-term issues and supporting overall health and well-being. Schedule an appointment today to give your child the best start in life.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Newborns:
Chiropractic care can be highly beneficial for newborns, supporting their growth, development, and overall health from the very beginning of life. The birth process, even under ideal conditions, can be physically demanding for an infant. The pressures and forces exerted on the baby’s spine and nervous system during delivery—especially in cases of assisted births such as C-sections, forceps, or vacuum extractions—can result in misalignments, known as subluxations. Early chiropractic care helps address these issues, promoting optimal function and well-being.
When to Start Chiropractic Care for Children
Chiropractic care can be begin immediately after your child’s birth. Chiropractic care can be started for newborns as early as immediately after birth. The birth process, while natural, can be strenuous and may result in subtle misalignments or stresses on a newborn’s delicate spine and nervous system. Even uncomplicated deliveries can place significant pressure on a baby’s spine and head, especially in the upper cervical region. Starting chiropractic care early can help identify and correct these issues before they lead to more significant health concerns.
Address Birth Trauma
During both vaginal and assisted deliveries (such as C-sections, forceps, or vacuum extractions), a newborn’s body undergoes intense pressure, which can cause subluxations (misalignments) in the spine and cranial bones. Early chiropractic assessments and gentle adjustments can help relieve any birth-related tension or misalignment, promoting better neurological and overall health from the start.
Promote Optimal Development
The first few months of life are crucial for brain and nervous system development. Proper spinal alignment is essential to ensure that the nervous system functions optimally, supporting the rapid growth and development of cognitive and motor skills. Early chiropractic care helps create a strong foundation for healthy development.
Prevent Common Newborn Issues
Starting chiropractic care early can help prevent and manage common newborn issues such as colic, reflux, breastfeeding difficulties, torticollis, and sleep disturbances. Many of these problems are related to nerve interference or tension caused by spinal misalignments, which can be gently corrected with chiropractic adjustments.
Support a Healthy Immune System
The nervous system and immune system are closely connected. A well-aligned spine ensures proper nerve function, which can help strengthen the immune system and support better resistance to infections and illnesses in newborns.
Monitor Growth and Development:
Regular chiropractic check-ups allow for continuous monitoring of a baby’s spinal health and development. This proactive approach can help catch any potential issues early, ensuring that the child maintains optimal alignment and neurological function as they grow.
The Safety and Effectiveness of Pediatric Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care for newborns is safe, gentle, and specifically tailored to the needs of infants. Chiropractors who specialize in pediatric care use extremely light pressure, similar to the amount of force you would use to check the ripeness of a tomato, to perform adjustments. The goal is to gently guide the baby’s spine and cranial bones into proper alignment, promoting comfort, balance, and healthy development.
Signs Your Child May Benefit from Chiropractic Care:
While chiropractic care can benefit all children, some common issues that chiropractic care can address include.
A Legacy of Compassionate Care and Excellence
Dr. Martin Rosen’s passion for pediatric chiropractic care, combined with his dedication to education, research, and clinical excellence, has made him a leading figure in the chiropractic community. His work continues to inspire practitioners to provide safe, effective, and compassionate care to children, ensuring that future generations can grow up healthy, balanced, and thriving.
For those seeking specialized pediatric chiropractic care, Dr. Rosen offers a wealth of knowledge, experience, and a genuine commitment to patient well-being.
Gentle, Safe, and Effective Care
Chiropractic care for children is incredibly gentle and specifically tailored to their delicate structure. Adjustments are done using light pressure. This gentle approach ensures that children receive the benefits of chiropractic care without any discomfort or risk. Give your child the best start in life. Schedule a chiropractic appointment today to ensure they develop in a healthy, balanced, and optimal functioning nervous system.
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