Chiropractic Care Enhances Children's Overall Health

BLOOMINGTON, Minn., Sept. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Irritation to a young person's nervous system can begin in utero. The baby's position during delivery (natural or cesarean) can create stress on their nervous system. Even a "normal, healthy" birth can induce 40-50 pounds of pressure on a newborn's neck and spine.

Dr. Carrie Getzmier, chair of the Minnesota Chiropractic Association Communications Committee says "gentle chiropractic care not only removes this nerve interference, but also stimulates the immune system, enhancing the child's overall health."

Ear infections, colic, sleep disturbances, tilted head position, difficulty breast-feeding, reflux and constipation or diarrhea are all symptoms parents should watch for, explained Dr. Getzmier.

Bumps and falls can also create joint dysfunction and nerve irritation to a young person during the developmental years. These may present as:

• Headaches
• Growing pains 
• Osgood-Schlatter's (Jumper's knee)
• Difficulty sleeping
• Bed-wetting
• Difficulty concentrating or staying focused
• Stomach aches, heartburn, or indigestion
• Sports injuries
• Skin Disorders
• Asthma
• Allergies

A variety of care approaches should be considered to enhance your child's health and well-being. Dr. Getzmier adds that "parents should also consider wellness evaluations that look at nutrition and exercise as fun ways to be healthy and have energy."

A great website for parents to reference regarding conditions and research is www.icpa4kids.com. To locate a doctor of chiropractic near you, go to the Minnesota Chiropractic Association at www.mnchiro.com.

About the Minnesota Chiropractic Association
Created in 1927, the Minnesota Chiropractic Association is the only professional organization in Minnesota that solely represents the chiropractic professional on a multi-level and integrated service basis.  

RESEARCH

Study shows Chiropractic Extremely Safe for Children

A study published in the December 2009 issue of the scientific periodical, the Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics shows that chiropractic care is extremely safe for children. In research for this report, the study author undertook a review of all previously published reports of "adverse events" for chiropractic care delivered to children.

In this study the author, a chiropractor from the Anglo European College of Chiropractic, and lead tutor for Advanced Practice for Chiropractic Pediatrics, Joyce Miller, B.Sc., D.C., D.A.B.C.O., set out to review and examine the chiropractic safety record for care of children in comparison to the safety record of medications given to children. She noted that the safety issue of medications given to children is an increasing concern.

In her published study, Dr. Miller reported that according to the United Kingdom's, National Patient Safety Agency, in 2006 out of a total of 33,446 reports of medical pediatric care, 19% experienced a medication problem, 14% had a procedural safety breech, 9% showed errors in documentation, and an additional 7% had errors in medical clinical assessment.

The reported results of the authors research showed that there were six separate published reports that addressed safety of what was called "Manual Therapy" for children delivered by either chiropractors or medical practitioners. The author specifically looked at the care rendered by chiropractors for the purpose of this study.

The results showed that over a 59 year time frame, a systematic review of the literature only uncovered 8 incidences of hurt or harm to children due to chiropractic adjustments.  With an estimated 30 million pediatric adjustment visits to chiropractors made each year, the risk factor is calculated to be extremely low.

In her conclusion, Dr. Miller wrote, "Based on the published literature, it appears that manipulation, when given by a skilled chiropractor with years of training carried out with low forces recommended for pediatric care, has few side effects in the healthy infant and child and their recorded incidence is exceedingly low.

Reference: http://www.nowyouknow.com/

Additional research and information can be located at www.icpa4kids.org.

Contact: Debra Hurston
952-882-9411

SOURCE Minnesota Chiropractic Association