Dr. Dean Collins is an experienced pediatric chiropractor in Edmonton providing gentle, age-appropriate chiropractic care for babies, children and teenagers. With over 30 years of experience caring for children and families, he provides personalized care for musculoskeletal concerns, injuries, movement problems and sports-related conditions affecting growing bodies.
Personalized chiropractic care for children of all ages, with treatment adapted to your child’s age, size, development and individual needs.
Why Do Parents Bring Their Children to a Chiropractor?
Children are constantly growing, moving and adapting. From learning to crawl and walk to playground activities, school, sports and eventually strength training, their bodies experience changing physical demands throughout childhood and adolescence.
Children can also experience many of the same muscle, joint and nerve problems as adults.
Parents may bring their child to our Edmonton chiropractic clinic for concerns including:
- Back or neck pain
- Headaches
- Sports injuries
- Muscle strains and joint sprains
- Shoulder, hip or knee pain
- Foot and ankle problems
- Restricted or uncomfortable movement
- Postural concerns
- Repetitive-use and overuse injuries
- Discomfort associated with prolonged sitting or computer use
- Assessment following a fall or physical injury
Sometimes parents simply aren’t sure whether chiropractic care is appropriate for their child’s problem. That’s okay too.
An important part of the first visit is determining what may be contributing to your child’s symptoms and whether chiropractic care is appropriate.
Children Aren’t Simply Small Adults
A child’s body is growing and developing, which is why pediatric chiropractic care should be adapted specifically to the individual child.
A baby’s needs are very different from those of a six-year-old, and both are different again from those of a 16-year-old athlete.
Your child’s age, size, stage of development, health history, symptoms and comfort all influence how Dr. Collins examines and treats them.
When chiropractic treatment is appropriate, techniques are modified accordingly. Care may include gentle chiropractic adjustments, joint mobilization, soft tissue techniques, exercise and rehabilitation, or movement and activity recommendations.
There is no single treatment approach used for every child.
Chiropractic Care for Babies and Young Children
Parents sometimes wonder why a baby or young child might be assessed by a chiropractor.
At this age, the reasons for seeking care can vary considerably. A parent may have concerns about how their child is moving, notice that certain movements or positions appear uncomfortable, or want their child assessed following a fall or other physical injury.
The examination of babies and young children is modified for their age and stage of development. Treatment, when appropriate, is also gentle and individualized.
Dr. Collins will listen to your concerns, observe your child’s movement, posture, and perform an age-appropriate examination to determine whether there appears to be a neuromusculoskeletal problem that may benefit from chiropractic care.
Chiropractic care does not replace your child’s pediatrician or family physician. If your child’s symptoms suggest a medical condition or something requiring further investigation, Dr. Collins will recommend appropriate medical assessment or referral.
Chiropractic Care for School-Aged Children
School-aged children encounter a different set of physical demands.
They spend increasing amounts of time sitting at school and using computers and other devices. Backpacks become part of daily life, while sports, playground activities and recreational pursuits create plenty of opportunities for bumps, falls, strains and sprains.
Some children begin to complain of back or neck discomfort, headaches or pain associated with a particular activity.
A chiropractic assessment can help determine whether joints, muscles, movement or other neuromusculoskeletal factors may be contributing to the problem.
When appropriate, treatment may be combined with exercises, movement recommendations and practical advice to help your child return comfortably to school, sport and normal activities.
Chiropractic Care for Teenagers
As children enter adolescence, their physical demands often increase substantially.
Teenagers may participate in competitive sports, begin strength training, work part-time jobs and spend long hours sitting at school or studying. At the same time, their bodies are continuing to grow and develop.
Teenagers may visit our Edmonton clinic for concerns such as:
- Back and neck pain
- Headaches
- Sports injuries
- Shoulder pain
- Hip and knee pain
- Foot and ankle problems
- Muscle strains and joint sprains
- Restricted mobility or stiffness
- Problems related to training or repetitive activity
For teen athletes, Dr. Collins considers not only where it hurts but also the demands of their sport, training habits, previous injuries, mobility and other factors that may be contributing to the problem.
Learn more: Chiropractic Care for Athletes
Pediatric Sports Injuries
Sports and physical activity are an important part of childhood, but injuries can happen.
Young athletes can experience ankle sprains, knee pain, back and neck problems, shoulder injuries, muscle strains and repetitive-use complaints.
Because children and teenagers are still growing, sports injuries should be assessed with their age and stage of development in mind.
The first priority is determining what has been injured and whether conservative treatment is appropriate.
Some pediatric sports injuries can be managed with chiropractic care, exercise and rehabilitation. Others may require diagnostic imaging, medical assessment or referral to another healthcare professional.
When chiropractic care is appropriate, treatment focuses on restoring comfortable movement and function and helping your child make a safe, progressive return to activity.
Learn more: Sports Injury Treatment
What Does Pediatric Chiropractic Treatment Involve?
There is no standard adjustment or treatment that every child receives.
Care begins with understanding why your child is there and performing an examination appropriate for their age and complaint.
Depending on the circumstances, Dr. Collins may assess:
- Posture and movement
- Joint mobility
- Muscle function and strength
- Range of motion and flexibility
- Balance and coordination
- Neurological function
- Areas related specifically to your child’s symptoms or injury
Treatment recommendations are based on what the examination reveals.
Care may include:
- Gentle, age-appropriate chiropractic adjustments
- Joint mobilization
- Soft tissue techniques
- Exercise and rehabilitation
- Movement and activity recommendations
- Advice for returning to sports and other activities
Parents are encouraged to ask questions and be involved throughout their child’s care.
Does My Child Need X-Rays?
In most cases, routine X-rays are not necessary.
Diagnostic imaging should only be considered when your child’s history or examination provides a clinical reason for it.
Because children are more sensitive to ionizing radiation than adults, particular care should be taken when deciding whether pediatric X-rays are warranted.
Most uncomplicated musculoskeletal complaints can be assessed without routine imaging.
If Dr. Collins believes an X-ray or another type of diagnostic investigation may be appropriate, he will explain why and discuss the options with you.
Over 30 Years of Experience Caring for Children and Families
Choosing a healthcare professional for your child is different from choosing one for yourself.
Parents understandably want someone who is comfortable working with children and understands that their needs differ from those of adults.
Dr. Dean Collins has provided chiropractic care for babies, children, teenagers and families throughout his more than 30 years in practice. His postgraduate education includes additional training in pediatric chiropractic through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA).
Experience with children involves more than simply using less force during treatment.
It means adapting the examination and treatment to the child’s age and development, recognizing when a problem is appropriate for chiropractic management and, importantly, recognizing when further investigation or referral is needed.
It also means helping children feel comfortable.
Dr. Collins takes time to explain what he is doing in a way appropriate for your child’s age and encourages both children and parents to ask questions.
Learn More About Pediatric Care in Edmonton
Parents often have questions about back pain, posture, sports injuries and other musculoskeletal concerns as their children grow. These articles provide more information about keeping babies, children and teenagers healthy and active:
- Chiropractic Care for Children
- When Should You Take Your Child to a Chiropractor?
- Low Back Pain in Children: What Edmonton Parents Can Do to Prevent It This School Year
- Back-to-School Backpack Tips to Prevent Back Pain from Heavy Backpacks
- Chiropractic Care for Growing Pains: Relief for Your Child
- How to Fix Tech Neck
- Chiropractic Care for Athletes
- Sports Injury Treatment
What to Expect at Your Child’s First Visit
Your child’s first visit begins with a conversation.
We’ll discuss your concerns, your child’s health history, current symptoms, previous injuries, activities and sports, and anything you’ve noticed at home.
Dr. Collins will then perform an examination appropriate for your child’s age and reason for visiting.
For an older child or teenager with a musculoskeletal complaint, this may include assessment of movement, posture, joint mobility, muscle strength, flexibility, balance and neurological function.
For babies and younger children, the examination is modified appropriately for their age and development.
After the examination, Dr. Collins will explain what he has found and whether chiropractic care appears appropriate.
If treatment is recommended, the proposed approach will be discussed with you before proceeding. If your child requires medical assessment, diagnostic imaging or another healthcare professional, an appropriate recommendation or referral will be made.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pediatric Chiropractic
Children can experience neuromusculoskeletal problems and injuries involving muscles, joints and other structures just as adults can. Whether chiropractic care is appropriate depends on your child’s age, symptoms, health history and examination findings. When treatment is appropriate, it is adapted specifically to the individual child.
Children of different ages can be assessed by a chiropractor, including babies, school-aged children and teenagers. The reasons for seeking care – and the examination and treatment used – differ substantially according to age and development.
No. Pediatric chiropractic treatment is modified according to a child’s age, size, stage of development, condition and comfort. A technique appropriate for an adult may not be appropriate for a young child.
Parents commonly seek chiropractic assessment for neuromusculoskeletal concerns such as back or neck pain, headaches, sports injuries, strains and sprains, joint pain, restricted movement or concerns following an injury or fall. The examination helps determine what may be causing the problem and whether chiropractic care is appropriate.
Chiropractors can assess and manage many neuromusculoskeletal sports injuries affecting children and teenagers. Depending on the injury, care may include adjustments, exercise, rehabilitation and recommendations for returning to activity. Injuries requiring imaging, medical assessment or another healthcare professional should be referred appropriately.
No. Chiropractic care does not replace appropriate medical care. Chiropractors primarily assess and manage neuromusculoskeletal conditions. Children with illnesses, concerning symptoms or conditions outside the chiropractor’s scope should receive appropriate medical assessment.
Chiropractic Care That Grows With Your Family
One of the rewarding aspects of family practice is watching children grow.
Some children first come to our clinic because of an injury or musculoskeletal problem. Others are brought in by parents who already receive chiropractic care themselves and want to know whether chiropractic care may be appropriate for their child.
As children become teenagers and eventually young adults, their physical demands change. School, sports, work, exercise and everyday life bring different challenges.
Our approach changes with them.
The goal remains the same: to provide thoughtful, individualized chiropractic care based on what your child actually needs.
Looking for a Pediatric Chiropractor in Edmonton?
If your baby, child or teenager has a neuromusculoskeletal concern, has experienced an injury, or you’re wondering whether chiropractic care may be appropriate, we’re happy to help.
Dr. Dean Collins has over 30 years of experience caring for children and families and provides personalized, age-appropriate pediatric chiropractic care at Collins Chiropractic Health & Wellness Centre in Edmonton.
Book an appointment today or contact our clinic to discuss whether chiropractic care may be appropriate for your child.
About Dr. Dean Collins
Dr. Dean Collins is an Edmonton chiropractor with over 30 years of clinical experience. Since 1995, he has helped patients of all ages improve mobility, reduce pain, and stay active through personalized chiropractic care. He practices at Collins Chiropractic Health & Wellness Centre in Edmonton, providing care for back, neck, joint, and other nerve and musculoskeletal conditions.
Learn more about Dr. Collins or book an appointment today.
To learn more about how chiropractor care can help you and your family, read Dr. Collins’ comprehensive guide to chiropractic care: Chiropractic Care for Everyone.
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