Pediatric Chiropractic Care in Birmingham, AL

Not every child sees a pediatric chiropractor, but there are many children of all ages that may potentially benefit from chiropractic care, and in recent years more and more parents have brought their kids in to see a chiropractic office. Between the year 2000-2009, the number of child visits to the chiropractor more than doubled, from 30 million to 68 million. An analysis from the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners from 2010 found that 17% of those who were treated by a chiropractor were under age 18; with nearly 8% being under 6. and over 9% between 6-17.

children chiropractic patient

Is a Pediatric Chiropractor a Safe Option for Your Child?

For parents who are considering the option of pediatric chiropractic care for their children, safety is a top concern, and the issue has been revisited repeatedly, and recent research has shown only mild adverse effects of less than 1% for children that undergo pediatric chiropractic manipulative therapy. The safety factor for children is carried over to the treatment of adults and is manifested, in part by the low instance of malpractice cases against chiropractors, which happen at a lower rate than primary health care providers.

Why Kids Need a Chiropractor

When kids are middle school aged or older, especially if they are involved in sports they may report similar aches and pains that young adults report. Young kids, including babies and toddlers, are brought in for different reasons. Parents bring in young infants that have trouble with colic, sleeping, and nursing. Older infants and toddlers are frequently treated by a pediatric chiropractor for chronic ear infections. 

Babies can develop aches and pains even before they are born due to being in a single position for extended periods, which can contribute to colic and sleep problems as well as the development of plagiocephaly and torticollis, which is characterized by a flat head or misalignment of the neck position. Nursing issues sometimes occur when irritation in the central nervous system breaks down the baby's communication system and impedes his suck and swallow reflexes. Studies have shown that young babies who have had chiropractic treatments have been able to overcome nursing difficulties through these treatments, even when other advice has failed.

Treating Ear Infections

One of the most common treatments for chronic ear infections are antibiotics, but reactions to medication is a real concern. Adverse drug reactions affected over 585,000 children in 2009, and more than a quarter of those cases involved antibiotics. Chronic ear infections become a problem because fluid repeatedly gets trapped in a child's middle ear cavity where viruses and bacteria develop and perpetuate the need for antibiotics. 

Chiropractic treatment doesn't replace the need for antibiotics, and a pediatric chiropractor is not meant to be a replacement for your family doctor or pediatrician. At Back on Track Chiropractic and Wellness Center, in Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. Scott Duca works closely with other types of health care providers in order to create the best possible treatment plans. In the case of ear infections, part of the answer often lies at looking closer at the root cause. With ear infections, spasms in the ear tube close the tube's opening, prevent draining, and lead to infection. Pediatric chiropractors work to stop or reduce the occurrence of spasms so that fluid can drain normally.

Choosing a Pediatric Chiropractor

A child's visit with a chiropractor is different from an adult's in many ways. Although they have the same joints, the mere fact that they aren't fully formed means that the approach is different with kids. It means smaller, faster contacts with less force applied. This is necessary due to children having more cartilage and less bone in their joints, which makes them more flexible. It is important that a pediatric chiropractor is experienced and understand how a child's growth and development plays into what types of chiropractic approaches will be the most efficient. Dr. Duca at Back on Track Chiropractic & Wellness Center has served the Birmingham, AL area as a chiropractor for more than two decades and is raising children of his own.

Contact Our Chiropractor in Birmingham Today!

If your older child is complaining of aches and pains or is plagued by sports injuries, or if you feel your younger child might benefit from seeing a pediatric chiropractor, contact our office at 205-623-5782 to schedule an appointment.

Locations

Office Hours

*Please note morning/afternoon hours. Closed 12-3pm for lunch

Monday

7:30 am - 12:00 pm

3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Tuesday

10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Wednesday

7:30 am - 12:00 pm

3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Thursday

Closed

Friday

7:30 am - 12:00 pm

3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Saturday

Closed

Sunday

Closed

Monday
7:30 am - 12:00 pm 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Tuesday
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Wednesday
7:30 am - 12:00 pm 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Thursday
Closed
Friday
7:30 am - 12:00 pm 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed