Chiropractic and children's development
I am always amazed by how quickly children develop and learn new skills, behaviours and even phrases, some of which may make us rethink the way we communicate.
The adult body has approximately 75 trillion cells all working together in a community which makes up the material of who we are. Your brain alone contains a million, million brain cells which is equivalent to 167 times the population of the planet and each single cell is more powerful in its functions than the standard personal computer!
It is said that as much as 65% of our neurological development occurs within the first year of life! In children, much of this development is stimulated from our environment, ie; play, movement, touch, inter-actions with others, sickness (cold etc) and emotional events.
Unfortunately our developmental processes do not filter what is good and what is not so good - so the environment that your child grows up in plays a major effect on the way they develop and their patterns later on in life. The good news is I am yet to meet a good parent that does not go out of their way to help give their child the best opportunities they possibly can in life.
As more and more research is conducted in the field of human wellness - science regarding what is required for us as the human species to express health, evidence is showing that proper movement is really one of the major keys in ensuring the proper development of your child. Proper movement can come from activities such as play, sport, and other activities such as climbing, tag/tip, fun wrestles and others. Of equal importance, is that proper movement is able to occur within the various joints of the body and in particular the spine.
How Do We Develop?
Our brains are like incredibly powerful computers that process information from the body and then send appropriate information back out. Every cell in your body is influenced by your nervous system.
Through various neurological pathways it is said that up to 50% of the information your brain receives comes from the movement of your spinal column - which of course is influenced by movement in other joints of the body. So, proper development really does rely on adequate and proper transmission of this information.
This is where chiropractors are leading the way.
How Does Chiropractic Help the Development of my Child?
Chiropractors and in particular Certified Chiropractic Wellness Practitioners (C.C.W.P) can help with the normal development of your child as they are experts in assessing and treating areas of the spinal column and nervous system that may be stimulating negative feedback to the brain, impacting your child’s development and ongoing health.
Is Chiropractic Safe for Children?
Chiropractic is incredibly safe for children much safer than a pain killer or cough syrup!
For children, chiropractors use natural, gentle and effective techniques to ensure that your child is able to move properly right from the big toe to the top of their cranium! If there is a problem the treatment procedures are incredibly safe and gentle – often only fingertip pressure is required!
What are some common Indicators that may suggest my child has improper spinal motion or neurological function?
- Tendency to tilt or rotate head to one side
- Shoulder tilt
- Cranial distortion ie one eye higher or bulge/flat spot on head
- Delayed developmental milestones
- Poor balance/ coordination
- Emotional irrationality/ behavioural difficulties
- Sleeping disorders
- Poor immunity
- Progressive Allergy development
How can Improper Spinal Motion and Neurological Function Affect my Child?
Unfortunately when our spines stop moving correctly it sets up a negative feedback system (nociception) which can affect the function of the motor - cerebellar - vestibular system. This impacts;
- the way we move (co-ordination/posture)
- our memory
- learning ability
- concentration
- emotional rationality
- organ/immune function
So the affects of abnormal spinal movement can be vast and varied and often end up as problems that seem far removed from the original cause. Combine this with an increase in the toxicity and deficiency in our foods and environment it is little wonder that more and more children are experiencing conditions such as allergies, ADHD, poor immunity, digestive feeding disturbances, sleeplessness, colic and emotional irrationality.
What should I do if I suspect my Child has Improper Spinal Motion?
The sooner your child has any problems corrected means less impact any problems will have on their health and development. Your chiropractor will only correct what is necessary. Children will often respond quickly to chiropractic care for children with gentle, low force and effective techniques that are adapted specifically for each child depending on their age, size and individual bodies.
To find a good chiropractor I suggest networking with friends or colleagues to gather more information about some of your local chiropractors. To find chiropractors in your local area, visit the Bub Hub Chiropractors page. If they have a website check it out, call them up and do your research! The more information you gather the more you will feel comfortable and confident with the services provided and the choice you have made. Good rapport goes a long way in the health/medical professions!
I hope this information, when acted on, will result in a happier, healthier children and family units!
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