Both Children and adults are both found to have spine and nervous system stress and degeneration.
Children need the benefits of Chiropractic care as much as their parents. Chiropractors specialize in helping children and adults of all ages maximize their health by making sure the spine is functioning appropriately. Health improves through gentle adjustments proven to improve the function of all cells and tissue by reducing dysfunction in the central nervous system.
Some parents and health professionals question the need for children to utilize Chiropractic. Understanding the purpose behind Chiropractic and the benefits of an adjustment not only unlocks any misconceptions about Chiropractic care but also continues the Chiropractic pursuit of educating the public about health care.
Chiropractors focus on restoring proper communication from the brain to all parts of the body by improving spinal health. Achieving spinal health requires proper structure, alignment, and movement.
Control of the central nervous system directly relates to the health and condition of the spine.
An unhealthy spine correlates to an unhealthy brain and central nervous system. The cells, tissues, and organs regulated by the central nervous system subsequently also become unhealthy. Age, gender, or genetic makeup have little to do with the health of the spine and nervous system.
Altered brain and nervous system function due to abnormal spinal health has been proven to influence infants, children, and adults of all ages, genders, or genetics.
Numerous published studies link a connection between abnormal spinal health and decreased body function. From brain to digestion and breathing to immunity, every function in a baby, child, or adult relates to the health of the spine and nervous system. European research done in 2003 continued to change the perception about why infants and young children need Chiropractic. The research study evaluated the spinal health of 154 children using an MRI. Of the 154 ten-year-old children evaluated, 14 of them had degeneration in at least one or more of their spinal discs.
The study concluded that disc degeneration was present in 9% of 10 year-olds without any corresponding spinal pain or symptoms.
Chiropractic care serves as one of the most important health-acquiring strategies a parent can seek for their children. Improved brain control, body function, growth, learning, and concentration register as a few of the many side effects of Chiropractic. A healthy spine produces priceless value. Very few infants and toddlers live to be teenagers without experiencing abnormal spine and nervous system health.
Chiropractors help millions of children achieve better spinal health and body function each week in offices around the world.
Research continues to prove that the sooner the human body begins Chiropractic care, the sooner the body will ascend to maximum health potential.
Research Review:
This blog post discusses the significance of the December 2003 research performed in Aberdeen, Scotland by Dr. Francis Smith and reported at the 89th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America.
Much debate continues to stir around the topic of kids and chiropractic. Many opponents and other health professionals argue that chiropractic is not safe or needed for children. But physician and radiologist Dr. Francis Smith of Scotland performed research in 2003 that helps explain exactly why children deserve the right to have access to chiropractic care. The results of the research turned out to even shock the authors.
The findings were as follows:
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) studies were done on 154 ten year-olds from northeastern Scotland to explore causes of spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal).
- Of the 154 ten year-olds, 79 were girls and 75 were boys.
- There was no history of poor nutrition, obesity, or other known diseases in any of the children in this study.
- 14 children were found to have abnormalities in at least one of their intervertebral discs.
- The 14 degenerated discs observed through MRI showed signs of early bulging or tearing.
- All degenerated discs were found in the lumbar spine.
- None of the children in the study had ever suffered from any low back or leg pain.
- This points out that disc degeneration is not necessarily associated with back pain, and may begin in early childhood.
- The lead author said, “We suspect there may be genetic causes, although unrecognized trauma in sports or at play could also be a cause.”
Many outsiders and opponents of Chiropractic continue to question the value and safety of chiropractic for children. Nothing can be done to convince many of the closed-minded skeptics. But science and research can help reveal the need for chiropractic to kids and families in any community. Research like this helps Chiropractors better understand and educate parents about the dangers of subluxation and the facts describing how and why nerve system interference occurs to such young children. Chiropractic improves neural integrity by improving spinal health. Abnormal spinal health exists in young children and almost always occurs without the presence of pain. This research can be used to help explain why all children should be checked regularly for subluxation regardless of symptoms.
RSNA Press Release, December 1, 2003, “MRI Shows Back Trouble May Begin Before Puberty”, Francis W. Smith, M.D, Author Janet E. Jeffrey, M.Sc., and Richard W. Porter, M.D, Co-Authors
