Research confirms chiropractic still frequently used for children’s health benefits

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 2.6 million children from newborn to 19 years old seek emergency care annually due to injuries sustained from playing sports or engaging in some type of recreational activity.

Add that to the 59 percent of child asthma sufferers who’ve missed at least some school, sometimes requiring emergency medical attention along with other illness and injury that prompts a quick trip to the hospital. These occurrences can be difficult, especially to parents, as no one likes to see little ones suffer.

Fortunately, one study released in 2015 shares that chiropractic is still one of the most sought after healthcare solutions for our nation’s children, providing them an effective treatment option helping them get back to engaging in the activities they enjoy once again.

Research results

This study was published in the National Health Statistics Reports and involved analysis of National Health Interview Surveys (NHIS) from the years 2007 and 2012. In total, this included more than 17,000 interviews with respondents who were able to provide relevant, factual data about children ranging in age from 4 to 17 years old.

After reviewing all of the responses, what they discovered was that all-natural complementary health approaches, such as chiropractic, dietary supplementation, and yoga were still among the most common alternative treatment methods used from 2007 to 2012. The issues that these types of remedies helped resolve for these children included pain in the head and neck area, colds, anxiety, and various musculoskeletal issues.

Continued education

Ultimately, this is good news for DCs because just as many kids are receiving chiropractic care today as they were years ago. However, one way to continue this trend and perhaps increase the number of children engaging in regular chiropractic care, is to help educate parents and others in your community as to the benefits for children.

The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) shares how, in addition to chiropractic helping to resolve various illness and injuries for this demographic, it also offers more preventative-based advantages as well. The ones that they said parents were most surprised by include the children’s improvements in sleep, behavior, and attitude, as well as enhanced immune function.

Additionally, this is also a great opportunity to share various ways that parents, grandparents, and other concerned adults can help support back health in addition to regular chiropractic. For example, Spine-Health highlights that one of the newest injuries that is growing in numbers is back pain related to children hefting heavy backpacks to and from school.

When they put them on just one shoulder versus wearing them as intended, this can compound the problem, creating pain and also potentially doing damage to the spine that isn’t detected for years if treatment is not obtained. Therefore, engaging in regular chiropractic care can help educate adults and kids both about various ways to avoid this type of spinal injury, as well as provide treatment should back-related issues have already occurred.

Use visuals to your advantage

Remember that kids are typically very visual, meaning that you can help explain the various aspects of spinal care by using informative charts and models to increase their understanding as well as their involvement in the process.

Also, using visual diagnostic equipment is another great way to show kids their body’s own musculoskeletal system and making it more interesting and appealing because it applies specifically to them. The more you can show them, the greater likelihood that they will care and understand.