A case study published in the July 2006 issue of the peer-reviewed, scientific publication, the Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics (JCCP) documented the effects of chiropractic care on a nine month old infant girl with a history of disturbed sleep. The JCCP is the official publication of the Council on Chiropractic Pediatrics of the International Chiropractors Association.
The study article starts off by noting that the average 9 month old should sleep approximately 14 hours per day. In this case study a nine month old infant girl was presented for chiropractic care with a history of severely disrupted sleep and fussiness. Additionally, the infant was refusing to breastfeed on one side and exhibited, what was called a generally unsettled behavior. It was also noted that the child would not turn her head to the left. These problems had been occurring since birth.
The examination confirmed a reduced range of neck motion to the left and significant muscle tension in the left and upper neck. Upon touching the neck the child exhibited signs of being in pain by crying and moving away. It was determined that subluxations were present, and an appropriate course of adjustments was initiated.
The results in this case were very impressive. The study noted that on the afternoon after the infants first adjustment the baby girl fell asleep for 5 hours. This was followed by nighttime sleep of 2 periods of 6 hours each. Over the next three weeks of care the daytime sleep got shorter, but the nighttime sleep remained between 6 and 8 hours.
In addition to the dramatic sleep improvement, the child also improved her range of neck motion and was able to turn her head to the left in response to sound on the left side. Additionally the infant began to feed freely and comfortably.
In their conclusion, the authors of the case study noted that the dramatic improvements after just one adjustment indicated that the vertebral subluxation found in this case was at least in part responsible for the disrupted sleep pattern.
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My cousin plays a sport and is always complaining to his mom about how sore he is after his games and sometimes even just after practice. But he is only 9 years old. Do you think he is too young for chiropractic care to help him?
According to the National Safe Kids Campaign, more than 30 million children participate in organized sports in the US. Even more kids participate in recreational activities such as bicycling, in-line skating, skateboarding and riding scooters. Approximately 775,000 children are treated in hospital emergency rooms for sports related injuries, and about 25 percent of those injuries are considered serious.
Children are more susceptible to injuries because they have slower reaction times than adults. They are less coordinated; they are still growing and developing. Many injuries result from overuse, such as Repetitive Use Syndrome, which comes from placing stress on the musculoskeletal system. It is caused by not using proper techniques or equipment (such as athletic shoes). This may adversely affect bone growth.
After injuries heal, vertebral subluxations can persist. These can impair functions, which go undetected because medical professionals are not trained to diagnose and correct vertebral subluxation — all the more reason for you to get involved in children’s athletics.
What you can do
Doctors of chiropractic must be leaders and an integral part of keeping children involved in community sports healthy. Children should be checked on a regular basis to make sure the spine, extremities and nerve system are functioning properly to enhance performance. This allows them to function at a higher level, prevents injury and removes any impediments to healing, should an injury take place.
We all want the best for our kids, but no one is looking for the biomechanical flaws that can increase the possibility for injury and reduce performance. Chiropractic evaluations are essential for all athletes even those who are young. Chiropractic Checkups should start as earlier as birth but no time is to late to ensure your childs spine and muscles are properly in line.