There has been so much debate these days about whether "alternative medicine" should apply to children. Specifically targeted has been chiropractic. Regular chiropractic checkups for children are a safe and effective form of preventative healthcare. Just as early detection and prevention with dental hygiene has become important, so to is a child's "spinal hygiene."

Even many natural birthing methods can stress a still-developing spine. The resulting irritation to the nervous system can be the cause of many newborn health complaints. Abraham Towbin, MD, found that mechanical injury from delivery procedures could produce spinal cord compression and vertebral subluxation. A subluxation is what happens when spinal bones (whether fully developed or not) lose their normal position and motion due to stress, trauma or chemical imbalances.

Unexplained crying, colic, poor appetite, inability to breast feed, breathing problems, allergies and many other common childhood symptoms can often be traced to nervous system dysfunction caused by a malfunctioning spine. As a child grows, the many bumps and falls experienced may lead to serious spinal deformities later in life. We've heard the term "scoliosis," right? Also, many contact sports or repeated one-sided activities can interfere with proper growth. Many of the spinal problems seen in adults began in childhood.

Most people's fear of children and chiropractic is a fear of the unknown. Parents may have a vision of what a chiropractor does to an adult and may feel that this is just too rough for the delicate spine of a child. They're right! Chiropractic adjusting techniques are modified to fit a child's size, weight, age and unique spinal problem. There are many appropriate adjusting techniques available to today's doctor of chiropractic. Proper spinal hygiene is an important key to better health. Do you know a child who could benefit from chiropractic care?