Chiropractic for Kids

Cathie - posted on 07/14/2011

i have taken both of my kids to the chiro (our angel) since they were two weeks old for wind, and i also go myself on occasions due to scoliosis. my children and i have noticed marked improvements and never has my chiro cracked or maniuplated my childs spine in ANY way, as some misinformed ppl would have you believe. find the right chiro, ask lots of questions and i truly believe your problem can be eased. if you arent keen on the idea after ppl freaking you out about it, or if you cant find a specialised child chiro, demand some tests from your doctor, they could do an ultra sound and rule out any problems. our chiro gently releases muscles around problem areas, NEVER has she cracked my childs joints in bones. i wish you luck :)

September - posted on 07/14/2011

Personally I would not take our son to see a chiropractor. However I would not have the same issues as you getting our son seen right away, having said that I guess I would have to consider all options if I were in your situation. Sure an adjustment may help in the short term but I have little faith in the long term when it comes to chiropractic services unless of course you go all the time and I would never take my child regularly. I’m sorry and I hope that your daughter gets some relief soon, that must be painful for her.

Stifler's - posted on 07/14/2011

I've been and taken Logan aswell. With kids the one I went to used this thing and clicked it on his finger along the spine instead of sitting on my kid or doing adjustments like he did to me lol. I've also taken Logan to Bowen therapy which I think worked better on his reflux but then the Bowen therapy sheila moved and I don't know her new address or I would have kept going.

Jen - posted on 07/14/2011

I guess you'd have to ask yourself exactly how moving the spine around will make his bowels work better?



I have NO problem with chiro used as muscular or bone pain relief. I have NO problem with chiro as physical therapy but I have HUGE issues with the idea that moving the spine itself has any impact on or ailments like allergies, ADD, chronic nosebleeds or constipation. There simply isn't any evidence. (Anecdotes are not evidence)



And whatever you do, don't let them manipulate their neck. The risk of stroke is far too terrible. I said this once in a debate and a woman I am friends with took great umbrage as her husband is a chiropractor. Years later, I went to him specifically to try and help my chronic pain issue out of desperation. Right there on HIS consent forms were warnings of stroke from neck manipulation.



Just think it through before you go.

Kate CP - posted on 07/13/2011

I wouldn't do the explosive diarrhea, either. We used Miralax and gave her enough to make it like soft serve. TMI, I know. But it worked!

Erin - posted on 07/13/2011

OMG Kate you are so right! Milla has held it in after a suppository, and days worth of laxatives. Last week I tried her on a different lax (Lactulose, also called Actilax) and it gave her explosive diarrhoea and terrible cramps. It basically confined us to the house for days, but she wasn't able to hold it in on that. I want to avoid going back to that if possible - because it made her even more miserable - but I may not have a choice :(

I guess the chiro idea was just me clutching at straws. But I think you're probably right about her temperament. Even if I was totally comfortable with it (which I'm not at this point), I tend to think her blatant refusal would override any good it may do. UGH!

Kate CP - posted on 07/13/2011

Yep, sounds exactly like what my daughter did. All I can tell you, Erin, is that it will eventually get easier. Just talk to the specialist about giving her a large enough dose of laxative so she can't hold it in. If he says that's okay I'd do it. I did that with Sam for about a week and every time she pooped I would say "See? It doesn't hurt if you go every day!" and she is slowly getting better. The extra fruits and veggies and the fiber supplements are also helping her. If it were me I wouldn't bother with a chiropractor. But my daughter could get an enema and STILL hold it in so no amount of adjustment or stimulation would do a thing.

Ain't it great having strong-willed girls? ;P

Erin - posted on 07/13/2011

Lisa, I honestly don't know which came first. I *think* she got scared of the poo in the potty and started holding it, which then led to it getting dry, hard and huge, and hurting. Even more reason to hold it! But it could be that it was already difficult for her (she has never been a once a day kid) and doing/seeing it in the potty was the final straw. But yes, she is definitely miserable :(

I'm still very undecided about whether I will take her to a chiro. I need to make some phone calls and talk to her doctor first.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 07/13/2011

I would like to say that medical doctors are known to cause more problems than cure also (for those opposed to Chiro care) and I have known plenty of people that have had acupuncture and it has not done a thing for their ailment....you will find bad stories with any medical professional. Sometimes it is a matter of trying it out for yourself.

Chatty - posted on 07/13/2011

Erin, I noticed JL (Smithers Burns) hasn't commented here and she's on vacation so she probably won't, so I'm going to speak for her. Haha!

I know she takes her son to a chiropractor regularly and she swears by it. I'm not sure why or what the problem is, but I know she's satisfied.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 07/13/2011

Rebecca, chances are they were not licensed Chiro's, or had no idea what they were doing. It could also be that something else was wrong, and it was coincidental. Chiropracters now a days go through extensive schooling.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 07/13/2011

PS it is the muscle that will hold the bone (and ligaments tendons) that all need to be retrained, that is one reason Chiros have you visit 3x per week when you first start. As everything is going back into place, the less you need to go.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 07/13/2011

Ok, oh boy....I could go on and on about Chiro care and how wonderful it is. Especially for those of you that have been so blatantly misinformed by people outside of the practice.

What it truly comes down to Erin, it is NOT going to hurt,,,it could definately help especially if there is some nerve blockage, or muscle bundle etc. The Chiro adjustments can totally help for that. But, it is not one visit cures all deal. Talk to a reputable Chiro in your area. See what kind of plan they would put her on. Once again, one adjustment is not going to fix everything....here is part of why,


Say you have a back injury....everything goes out of alignment. Well, your muscles get used to the way you are misaligned...when you start adjustments to fix the problem, not only are you fixing the bones per say, but the muscles need to get used to the correct position....training them if you will.

Chiro care is excellent for overall health. Once again Erin, it won't hurt to give it a try. My sister took her son for ear infections...and it definitely helped...

Rosie - posted on 07/13/2011

dana, chiropractors believe that all nerves are connected to certain body functions. the nerves start at the spine and when manipulated can affect these functions.

i used to go to a chiro pretty regularly and i would take my youngest pretty regularly as well. my other two went when off from school or could go with us. i havn't gone in a while. i don't see any difference in the boys, and for me, i'm not sure. if i stopped going to the chiro i would get sick. EVERYTIME. i dont' know if that means i just would've gotten sick anyway or the chiro was keeping those germs at bay. after a friend of mine got incredibly ill after an adjustment (we're talking she was completely disoriented, passed out, couldn't walk, for a few days) i decided i'm not to much of a fan of it. the results just weren't positive enough for me to want that to happen to me too.

Rebecca - posted on 07/13/2011

You can also just use TCM, the herbs and acupressure...still no manipulation of the spine.

Minnie - posted on 07/13/2011

Erin, is it actually true constipation or is it just holding her poo? My first would hold it for 10 days straight- she was miserable during that time and obsessed, but would poo eventually. Of course constipation is a risk after some time though, because the body reabsorbs water. It was more a psychological thing than physical.



I don't really go for chiropractics since it tends to be one of those cure-all things. Like have sleeplessness? Get an adjustment. Digestion problems? Get an adjustment. Mononucleosis? Get an adjustment. It's a little too wishy-washy for me.



And I saw a program on PBS that covered alternative therapies and the chiropractor was going on about how one dude's hips were misaligned and he 'proved' it by pulling on one leg and showing the camera that they didn't line up and tapped on his feet with a little instrument, lol...it just was obvious quackery.



I put it on my list along with homeopathy, those amber necklaces, the magnet bracelets, etc.



My A&P professor back in college was very leery of chiropractics. He was a sports medicine physician and talked about how one mis-adjustment could cause paralysis.

Erin - posted on 07/13/2011

Yeah one of the doctors I work for is an acupuncturist as well as a GP. He did suggest acu, but I have no idea how I would get a 2.5yo to stay still with those tiny needles in for 20-30mins. That would definitely be my first choice, but I just don't see how I could get her to cooperate.

Kate, I would put her back in nappies fulltime if it would help (or if she would allow it), but it doesn't, and she won't. She has had one on all day today though and STILL hasn't gone (this is Day 3 of nothing). I didn't push her at all with the potty-training. She literally did it herself in less than 2 days. But I do wonder if this is a side effect of her potty-training relatively 'early' (it was the week she turned 2).

Rebecca - posted on 07/12/2011

Um, why not go to a TCM/acupuncturist first to see if it helps. It is less invasive, has a longer history and the spine will not be manipulated at all.

I find TCM/acupuncture extremely useful for my back issues, my neurological issues, any stomach upset, period pain... The best part, no drugs and no risk of permanent damage.

I may be bias though, my grandmother was a professional dancer and did a contortion act (no kidding) back in the day. She went to a chiro to see if he could help with tension, she came out not able to dance again. He royally screwed her back up.

As well, a teacher of mine had a stroke while on the table of a chiro. He adjusted her back they wrong way and a decade later she still slurs her speech.

ME - posted on 07/12/2011

I also agree with Sharon...I have been seeing this particular doc for several months, and he has treated several members of my immediate family for the last 6 years or so...I know that I can trust him, otherwise, I might be more nervous about taking her in...

ME - posted on 07/12/2011

I see a Chiro for my back, and am considering taking Mayah for her ear infections. She is 18 months. My doc is a lovely man, and says that often times ear infections in kids can be dealt with by adjustments instead of antibiotics...she's been on them 5 times already, and I hate to keep doing this to her, so, I'm ready to try something else. He tells me that baby and child adjustments are not the same as adult adjustments, much less wrenching and popping...I will let you know if I decide to take her in...

Christy - posted on 07/12/2011

YES, YES, YES!!! My kids love to go to the chiropractor and ask to go when they feel the need. We have a couple different issues for needing to go and it is truly amazing how many things a chiropractor can treat simply by adjusting your bones.

Most chiropractors these days know how to treat the nerves as well. My chiropractor can tell if the nervous system needs "reconnecting" to the brain so that the messages come and go correctly. I know that may sound weird, but my chiropractor has done amazing stuff to help us!

Don't be surprised if your chiropractor wants to see your child two or three times a week for a couple weeks. If there is an issue, s/he is basically retraining the bones to stay in place. Also, if there's a problem spot, ask him or her what stretches can be done at home to help correct the problem. I have no idea if there are stretches to help constipation, but I bet getting adjusted will help a lot!

Good luck!
Christy

Nikki - posted on 07/12/2011

The chiro really helped my daughter. She had sleeping, skin and digestion issues, I was concerned but the chiro we saw was fantastic. He worked on her very differently than he did me, there was no cracking or harsh jolting movements. He used this little rolling machine and the rest was more like massage. It could have been a coincidence but my daughter improved so much after seeing him, her sleeping, her skin her behaviour. If your going to find one, make sure you ask around and find someone who works with children.

Kate CP - posted on 07/12/2011

Honestly, Erin, from my own experience...I'd let potty training go. Just keep her in diapers or pull ups until she's going every day again. I wish I had done that when this happened to us. But Sam was starting school (she went when she was about 2) and I wanted her potty trained so I pushed it. Never again...it's not worth it. :(

Erin - posted on 07/12/2011

Chiropractic deals with the nervous system as well, under the theory that a misalignment can affect other parts of the body and cause all sorts of problems. I have no experience with it, and I don't know if I believe in it. But some people swear by it!



Kate, I remember you talking about your daughter in my thread a couple of months ago. The fact it is an ongoing issue for her now scares the ever-loving shit out of me, because it backs up everything I've read that says this is usually an ongoing problem once it starts :(



Right now she is on a paraffin-based daily laxative, as well as fibre supplement. I have cut back on her milk, and she only drinks water otherwise. I switched her to only wholemeal bread, pasta and rice, and am trying to pump the fruit into her. But, as I'm sure you know, when they're like this they don't want to eat. I'm going to make some home-made iceblocks later this week, to help get the fruit and water into her. We also have a poo sticker chart, which she's not really interested in. The fact she's only so young makes it harder (withholding is more common in 3-4yo apparantly) because it is impossible to reason with her, or persuade her.



See, I feel like I have tried everything. She is back wearing pull ups sometimes (which is annoying!) because she flat out won't even sit on the toilet when she needs to poo. I'd rather she do it in the pull up than not at all. When she feels like she needs to go, she will ask for a nappy (which is also very common, from what I've read). Desperation to help her has led to this chiro idea. But I would be lying if I said I'm sold on it. I just don't want to else to do.

Dana - posted on 07/12/2011

I go to the chiropractor, I have since I was a teenager. I love it since my hips go out easily and it's a pain in the ass. However, I really don't understand how it would help constipation. Chiropractors manipulate your bones, nothing internal (as far as organs/bowels) - that's a whole different kind of doctor. So, what am I missing? Can anyone go into detail on how it would help?

Elfrieda - posted on 07/12/2011

My toddler fell down 4 stairs and onto our flagstone landing two weeks ago. I want to take him to a chiropractor because surely that can't have been good for his alignment! I asked around and am taking him to my chiropractor because several people have said that he's very good and gentle with kids. But yes, I'm a bit nervous.

I hadn't heard that it would help with constipation, but why not? One thing that might also help is cranio massage. My cousin got certified in this, and at first I thought she had gone around the bend, but I went to her partly out of curiosity and partly to support her, and now I'm at least 3/4 a believer. It's much gentler than chiropractics. I'll be taking my son to her as well.

Kate CP - posted on 07/12/2011

Okay, this is EXACTLY the thing my daughter and I have gone through. She's 5 years old and she still has issues from time to time. The ONLY THING that helps is to make it as easy as possible for her to go. She gets a gummy laxative EVERY DAY, she drinks more water than milk now, and she has to eat veggies at school before she can have anything they offer her (which as you all know is usually crap). She also HAS to poop EVERY DAY. There have been days when she's sat on the toilet for, not kidding, over an hour. We sit in there with her, read to her, let her play on an iPod...but she can't get up until she's pooped.

The other thing I had to do when she was much younger was to put her back in trainers and give her so much laxative that she COULDN'T hold it in. This is a huge struggle and there is nothing quite so frustrating as trying to reason with a toddler about why pooping is a good idea and you shouldn't hold it in. I feel your pain, Erin. I really, really do. :( *hugs*

Sapphire - posted on 07/12/2011

I worked for a chiropractor for 10 years while in high school, college, and even through the first years of teaching! Over that time frame, the doctor had treated many children for a variety of reasons. But I also know that the decisions to treat a child stemmed from building up a very close doctor/patient relationship first. While a majority of patients do respond well to a chiropractic adjustment, things can and do happen. A child's fragile body can react differently than an adult. With that being said, a do believe that a visit or 2 to the chiro can be more beneficial than harmful to relieve constipation. Certainly worth a try before having to go through the medical route of meds and testing. Good luck!

Kate CP - posted on 07/12/2011

If she's actually holding it in I don't see how an adjustment will help?

I took my daughter to a chiropractor for a few months for chronic ear infections. Didn't do a damn thing. Getting tubes put in her ears is what stopped the infections. I'm all for trying alternative methods for certain things but if they don't work then I move on to traditional medicine.

Krista - posted on 07/12/2011

Aw...that really sucks, honey. I wish I had an idea as to how to solve the problem. I have no idea why kids hold in their poo.

If you want, I can check with my sitter tomorrow and see what she says -- she's dealt with so many kids over the years, and I'm sure she's run into this problem before.

Erin - posted on 07/12/2011

Well I just talked to my Mum, and she freaked out at the idea of someone messing with Milla's spine :-/

Krista, I think the acu would work (as does the doc I work for), but there's no way she would tolerate it.

This kid has been through all sorts of laxatives, softeners and suppositories. I have just started her on a fibre supplement which supposedly complements the current laxative. But because there is such a strong behavioural component, there's only so much I can do. What the paediatrician needs to do is investigate whether her behaviours (holding the poo in) has done any physical damage that is perpetuating the problem. That will probably involve some awful tests :(

Krista - posted on 07/12/2011

Like Feen, I'm leery of chiropractic treatments, especially on kids. Didn't Johnny have really bad dizziness recently after an adjustment? Call me closed-minded, but there's just something about chiro that scares me too much to try it.

I think acupuncture is really low-risk, though. I wonder if that would do anything for constipation?

Or, I know that sometimes yoga can help get things moving along. Maybe if you worked out to a yoga video, she'd imitate you?

Erin - posted on 07/12/2011

Thanks Tawny. I have heard it works too. I was actually talking to one of the doctors I work for yesterday. He is Chinese and does acupuncture as well (so is very open to alternative medicines). He said realigning the bowel could be very helpful.

Tawny - posted on 07/12/2011

Also he my BIL also has adjusted my oldest son and also my own chiro has adjusted my son too and he is as healthy as ever!! You just have to do what feels right to you.

Tawny - posted on 07/12/2011

My brother in law is a chiropractor and he has adjusted his children when they were real little basically checking there joints and what not. And they are just fine.... I have heard if a child is having constipation problems an adjustment will work. you just need to find a chiro that has experience working on children there are some out there. I hope it works if you go that way. That is not a fun thing to deal with.

Erin - posted on 07/12/2011

That's what's scaring me too :-s And I can't imagine her cooperating either. So I think it would be pretty distressing. But then, she's already so distressed with the constipation issue. GAH! I just want to find a way to help her!

Charlie - posted on 07/12/2011

Im weary of it, I dont like the idea of manipulating the spine especially in an underdeveloped spine in a child and often they have to undergo many adjustments.....it's not for me.