Babies, Children & Pregnant Women

Chiropractic is a health care system that does not use drugs - an important consideration particularly during pregnancy. The many physical and chemical changes in a woman's body at this time can aggravate existing spinal problems, and can also make the spine and pelvis unstable through the relaxation of ligaments. Together with the postural changes likely to occur as a result of increased body weight, pain in the lower back, buttocks, groin and legs is common during pregnancy.

Chiropractic care can help to correct restricted joint movement and maintain spinal balance, as well as ensuring that the pelvis is correctly aligned - both before and after your baby is born. Your Chiropractor may also advise you how to lift and carry, how to improve your posture and how to exercise to improve your spinal health. Women may find relief from low back and pelvic pain in late pregnancy and after delivery if they have received Chiropractic care. Many return after the physical stress of child birth for checkups for themselves and their children.

Birth and early infancy can sometimes be a very difficult and traumatic time for both mother and baby. After the baby's head has engaged, usually during the eighth month of pregnancy, there can be a lot of stress on its head and back as it continues to move within the womb. This stress can increase further during the birth process, particularly if it is prolonged or involves breech presentation or forceps delivery. As the child grows up, and starts to walk, climb and run, the inevitable falls and bumps can affect the still-developing bones of the spine and skull. Once at school the child carries heavy bags, sits on badly-designed chairs and participates in a variety of sporting activities which may lead to stress and injury.

The result can be the tightening of muscles in the neck or back, so causing the bones of the spine to lose their motion or position. This can irritate or put stress onto the nerve roots that branch from the spinal cord to the organs and tissues of the body. In babies and young children this, in turn, may lead to symptoms including: