As more parents seek natural healthcare options for their children, pediatric chiropractic care often sparks questions and concerns. In this blog post, we’ll debunk common myths surrounding pediatric chiropractic care by providing evidence-based insights that demonstrate how specialized, gentle adjustments can play a crucial role in supporting your child’s wellness journey, empowering you to make informed healthcare decisions.

Myth #1: “Chiropractic Adjustments Are Too Forceful for Children”

Fact: Pediatric adjustments use minimal force. I usually tell parents I am only using the amount of pressure you use to check the ripeness of fruit for newborns. I will adjust my pressure accordingly to the age of the child as they grow. Many adjustments use gentle finger pressure rather than traditional “cracking.” If your child needs slightly more force, we have tools like activators that provide slightly more, but still an appropriate amount of movement. Older children often receive the traditional manual adjustment but force is still adjusted based on the child’s size. We do not use the same amount of force in a 10 year old as we do in a 25 year old.

Myth #2: “Children Don’t Need Chiropractic Care Unless They’re in Pain” 

Fact: Regular checkups can identify potential issues early. This is true for adults and children, alike! One of my favorite parts of pediatric chiropractic care is support for developmental milestones. There are ways we can set up the environment at home to help promote milestone acquisition, and it looks like play! You can read more about some of these things in a previous blog, here.

Myth #3: “All Children Need the Same Frequency of Adjustments” 

Fact: At Pinnacle Hill Chiropractic, we take pride in that our treatment plans are highly individualized. Treatment plans are based on age, severity of condition, and overall health. Some children may benefit from occasional wellness visits while others need the support that more frequent care gives, especially during recovery.

Myth #4: “Chiropractic Care Will Make Children Dependent on Adjustments” 

Fact: It is always our goal to promote proper function, not create dependency. Each patient at PHC has some sort of passive treatment but we always include active treatment as well (your “homework”) so that you do not have to depend on us. With younger children, this often involves caregiver participation but making it a family affair promotes success of implementation.

Myth #5: “Chiropractic Care Interferes with Medical Treatment” 

Fact: Chiropractic care has a complementary approach to traditional healthcare. My focus is on supporting overall health and development. When parents bring concerns to me, I ask if the child’s pediatrician or primary care provider is aware of this. I will absolutely make a referral when appropriate. It is not my job to be the expert in every aspect of a human, but I know enough when it comes to the general understanding of normal and needing other interventions.

Practical Tips for Parents: 

  • Choose a pediatric chiropractor that you feel comfortable with. Check out the websites and reviews of a few different providers. So many patients tell us they chose our office because of our great reviews.
  •  Ask questions during the appointments. Your provider might not know the answer to every single question, but they should be able to guide you to someone who does.
  •  Understand treatment goals and timelines. Chiropractic care is often cumulative. We know that concerns didn’t just begin overnight, they often built up. The same is true for resolution. Four to six (4-6) visits is usually a course of conservative care. If there is no change after that, something in the treatment plan needs to change.

As pediatric chiropractic care continues to grow in popularity, it’s important for parents to have accurate information to make informed decisions about their child’s healthcare. While misconceptions and doubts are understandable, the facts demonstrate that gentle, specialized chiropractic adjustments can play a valuable role in supporting children’s overall health and development. By addressing common spinal and structural issues early, chiropractors help set kids up for optimal function, mobility, and wellbeing both now and in the future. If you’re considering chiropractic care for your child, you can always schedule an appointment with me!