Overcoming Developmental Delays in Children with Chiropractic Adjustments

​​It’s true that children often develop in their own timing, but certain milestones are expected to be met by certain ages to ensure development is on pace. Delays can be physical or cognitive, or they can impact speech, focus, and learning. Poor or underdeveloped motor skills, speech problems, ADD and ADHD, and dyslexia are common developmental delays that many parents worry about today. Studies have shown that early intervention is key in dealing with developmental delays in kids, and various types of therapy, such as speech or occupational, can help as well. One such intervention that you may not have considered before is chiropractic care.
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How Chiropractic Plays a Role in Development

Developmental delays are often linked to brain-body communication. While the child may really want to pronounce that word properly or grasp a pencil correctly or focus well on her letters, her brain may be causing an obstacle that doesn’t allow her to do so. Sometimes, therapies can help the brain process things more fully and balance the right and left brain (the thinking and feeling brain versus the seeing and doing brain) to better integrate tasks. However, sometimes more is at play.
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The spinal column consists of the vertebrae in the spine and the spinal cord. The spinal cord is a massive bundle of nerves that serves as the information highway in a person’s body. All the messages from the brain transmit through the spinal cord before traveling to the various bodily systems. When a child has a spinal misalignment, one or more vertebra is shifted or twisted out of proper alignment, putting pressure on the spinal cord and interrupting brain-body communication. This interruption can wreak havoc on the way the body processes things and performs tasks, such as speaking, motor skills, learning, focusing, and more.
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Pediatric Chiropractic Is Natural, Safe, and Effective

A lot of people understand the basis behind chiropractic but can’t imagine their child being under care, despite its connection to improving development. Most parents don’t think their child has any spinal misalignments, or they are worried about the gentleness and safety of chiropractic adjustments.

First, let’s discuss why a child might have a spinal misalignment. Kids are notorious for being rough and tumble, taking risks with no regard for their own safety. From consistently falling down, jumping off of things, playing rough with others, and playing sports, kids of all ages get bumped around and can easily bring about a spinal misalignment from their everyday activities. Additionally, and most importantly for younger children, the birthing process can be extremely traumatic for their tiny spines. Even if you have the most peaceful delivery possible, it’s likely that your baby’s head was pulled on or twisted at some point during labor, which can cause spinal misalignments and resulting in nervous system interference.
Second, the safety of chiropractic care should bring you no concern. Kids and babies are adjusted with the gentlest touch, similar to that of checking a tomato for ripeness. There is no harsh twisting or popping, and children often need only a few areas adjusted once under consistent care, so adjustments are simple, easy, and fast.
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If you have any questions about how chiropractic care can benefit your child and help them grow in their development, contact Thrive Family Chiropractic. Dr. Shane Hoffman and his team are committed to serving Des Moines and Urbandale with the highest quality of care.

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Sources
Cuthbert, SC., Barras, M. “Developmental delay syndromes: psychometric testing before and after chiropractic treatment of 157 children.” Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapy, 2009 Oct; 32(8):660-9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19836603.

Troy, J., Dennis, T., Cade, A. “Developmental advancements following chiropractic care in a four-year-old child with dyspraxia and associated developmental delays: A case report.” Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics, 15(1). http://jccponline.com/developmental-advancements.html.

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