Pediatric Chiropractic Services in Oregon City
Providing Professional Pediatric Chiropractic Services Through Our Licensed Chiropractor
Pediatric Chiropractic Treatment | Oregon City
Just like an adult, a child’s spine can endure stress, creating pressure on the nervous system. These stressors can be from birth trauma, falling when learning to walk, sports injuries, car accidents, or falling from a tree, stairs, or bike.
Chiropractic care for children differs from adult treatment. As an experienced chiropractor, Dr. Pitcairn tailors her care for your child’s age and weight. Pediatric adjustments often require no more pressure than you would use to test the ripeness of a tomato.
In addition to physical pain relief, pediatric chiropractic care through Dr. Pitcairn is sought to improve a child’s immune system, as well as help with colic, ear infections, bedwetting, asthma, constipation, upset stomachs, headaches, scoliosis, and frequent colds.
Just like an adult, a child’s spine can endure stress, creating pressure on the nervous system. These stressors can be from birth trauma, falling when learning to walk, sports injuries, car accidents, or falling from a tree, stairs, or bike.
Chiropractic care for children differs from adult treatment. As an experienced chiropractor, Dr. Pitcairn tailors her care for your child’s age and weight. Pediatric adjustments often require no more pressure than you would use to test the ripeness of a tomato.
In addition to physical pain relief, pediatric chiropractic care through Dr. Pitcairn is sought to improve a child’s immune system, as well as help with colic, ear infections, bedwetting, asthma, constipation, upset stomachs, headaches, scoliosis, and frequent colds.
Are Pediatric Chiropractic Treatments Safe?
Is chiropractic treatment for infants and children actually safe? This is one of the most common inquiries Dr. Pitcairn receives. Through her education and experience, she can assure you that pediatric chiropractic treatment is not only safe, but an extremely effective way to assist infants and children with a variety of health concerns.
Chiropractic treatment is non-invasive and drug-free. Dr. Pitcairn uses evidence-based techniques and the highest standards of care when working with infants and children. Contact Dr. Pitcairn if you need a trusted pediatric chiropractor in Oregon City.
Does My Child Need to See a Pediatric Chiropractor?
Childbirth is stressful for both mothers and babies. In fact, a vast majority of infants experience some kind of subluxation, or dislocation, of the neck or spine at birth. While this may sound scary, it is a normal occurrence that can result from either c-section delivery or vaginal birth.
Symptoms of misalignment of the spine or neck in infants include fussiness, spitting up, acid reflux, misshapen head, trouble latching during nursing, decreased bowel function, constipation, and colic. If the spine is out of alignment, this can put pressure on nerves communicating with the internal organs, decreasing their overall function. This can cause a variety of symptoms you may not initially associate with neuromusculoskeletal issues and the need for chiropractic care.
For children that are past the newborn or infant stage, chiropractic treatment may be necessary for recovery from sports injuries or car accidents, as well as trauma from falls. Some children may also need pediatric chiropractic care for help with proper developmental growth or relief from immune and digestive system complaints.
Chiropractic for Babies
Pediatric chiropractic treatment is vastly different from adult treatment and is nowhere near as intense. Dr. Pitcairn specializes in non-force and very specific adjusting, often using a gentle instrument called the Activator to adjust babies and children. During a session with Dr. Pitcairn, the main focus is on your baby’s upper cervical spine and the lower sacrum.
During pregnancy, your baby is nestled tightly in your womb and held in a restrictive, flexed position for nine months. After birth, your baby’s ligaments, muscles, and spine are stretched out and elongated for the first time. This transition can put a lot of stress on your baby’s spine and neck, regardless of whether they are born vaginally or via c-section.
To help newborns and infants adjust to life outside of the womb, pediatric chiropractic care is an effective and worthwhile treatment to pursue. For her patients in Oregon City, Dr. Pitcairn recommends scheduling an appointment soon after birth. It is never too early to pursue trusted, holistic, natural, and effective pediatric chiropractic care for your infant.
Chiropractic for Children
According to the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, more than 17% of chiropractic patients are under the age of 18. Sports injury recovery, trauma recovery from falls or accidents, scoliosis, and other conditions can be alleviated in children and adolescents with the help of professional chiropractic care.
Ear infections, headaches, asthma, upset stomach, bedwetting, chronic constipation, balance and coordination issues, and growing pains can all be potential signs of vertebral subluxations. Some parents of children that have received treatments have even noted positive changes in behavior, attitude, and sleep.
Now, more than ever before, it may be imperative for children and teens to seek help from a pediatric chiropractor. A 2014 study published in the journal of BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders found that spine pain is common among those ages 11 to 15 years old and as many as 86% of participants experienced a lifetime prevalence of spinal pain. This finding implies that chiropractic treatment may be necessary for children, adolescents, and teens to diminish the chances of lasting or lifelong spinal pain.
Just as with infant chiropractic treatments, you can expect child chiropractic treatments to differ from adult regimens. When you bring in your child to work with Dr. Pitcairn, she uses trusted and gentle techniques to help with your child’s condition or complaint.
Scoliosis in Children
Scoliosis is the abnormal curvature of the spine. There aren’t many symptoms in the beginning, but things parents may notice is one shoulder is higher than another, or one hip appears lower than another, making clothing fit differently.
Scoliosis causes both physical pain and emotional suffering. Symptoms often include shoulder, back, and leg pain. More advanced scoliosis can interfere with the lungs, heart, and many other vital organs.
Scoliosis affects girls more frequently than boys, typically between the ages of 8 and 18. The causes of scoliosis vary. Some are born with spinal deviation and for others, it develops as they grow. Early detection is the key. If allowed to run its course, scoliosis can steadily worsen.
The standard medical approach is to monitor the curve, brace if it progresses, and surgery for severe cases to straighten the spine with a steel rod.
The chiropractic approach is different. Chiropractic care can stop the progression and even decrease the spinal curve(s). A thorough examination helps detect scoliosis and corrective action can begin. Specific chiropractic adjustments help improve the function and structure of the spine. This also allows muscles to strengthen and posture to improve.
The best time to take action and make the most impact on treating scoliosis is as a child is growing. Once the child reaches adulthood, scoliosis can usually be managed, but not improved. Call Dr. Pitcairn today at 503-557-9266 for a thorough evaluation of your child’s spine.
Work with a Pediatric Chiropractor in Oregon City Today!
If you have any questions or concerns about starting treatment for your infant or child, give her a call. Dr. Pitcairn sees children of all ages for maintenance and wellness. She is eager to help your child thrive and feel their best. Contact Dr. Pitcairn at (503) 557-9266
