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Many parents assume that a child only needs to see a chiropractor when they have back pain or an injury.
Those are certainly common reasons. But after more than 30 years of caring for children and families in my Edmonton chiropractic practice, I also see chiropractic care as a proactive way of looking after a child’s spine, joints and nervous system as they grow.
Children place a surprising amount of stress on their bodies. It can begin with the birth process and continue with learning to crawl and walk, countless childhood falls, sports, heavy backpacks, prolonged sitting and hours spent looking down at phones and other devices.
So when should you take your child to a chiropractor?
Here are some of the most common times parents bring their children to see me.
After Birth or During Early Development
The birth process can place considerable physical stress on a baby’s developing body.
Parents sometimes notice that their baby consistently prefers turning their head in one direction, holds their head tilted to one side or seems to position their body asymmetrically.
These observations don’t necessarily mean something is wrong with your baby’s spine. However, persistent asymmetry or restricted movement is something worth having properly assessed.
Some parents also choose to have their baby’s spine and movement checked proactively following birth rather than waiting for an obvious problem to develop.
Chiropractic assessment and treatment of babies is very different from treating an adult. Examination and treatment are modified for the baby’s age, size and stage of development, and the amount of force used is considerably lighter.
After Falls and the Bumps of Childhood
Watch a toddler learning to walk for an afternoon and you’ll quickly realize how many times children fall.
Most of those falls are harmless. Kids are remarkably flexible and resilient.
However, children also fall off bikes, playground equipment, trampolines and beds. As they get older, the falls can become harder and faster.
Sometimes a child complains immediately. Other times you may notice stiffness, restricted movement, favouring one side or simply that something doesn’t seem quite right after a fall.
You don’t need to bring your child to a chiropractor after every tumble. But after a significant fall, or when symptoms or changes in movement persist, having their spine, joints, muscles and nervous system assessed can help determine whether an injury or dysfunction is present.
When Your Child Has Back or Neck Pain
Children can experience back and neck pain just like adults.
In my practice, I see children and teenagers with discomfort associated with sports, falls, prolonged sitting, posture, backpacks and changes in physical activity.
An occasional minor ache may disappear quickly. Recurrent or persistent pain is different.
If your child repeatedly complains of back or neck pain, avoids particular movements or activities, or isn’t improving as you would expect, it’s worth finding out why.
Chiropractic care can help address joint restriction, nerve and muscle tension and other mechanical factors that may be contributing to the problem.
When Your Child Plays Sports
Sports are wonderful for children, but practices, training, falls, repetitive movements and collisions can place significant demands on a growing body.
I’ve seen this personally with my own children as well as with young athletes in my Edmonton practice.
Hockey, soccer, dance, gymnastics, basketball, running, martial arts and other activities can all lead to strains, sprains, restricted joint movement and other injuries.
Parents commonly bring young athletes to me because of pain or an injury, but chiropractic care doesn’t have to begin only after an athlete is hurt.
Maintaining good joint mobility, flexibility, strength, balance, coordination and neuromuscular function can also be important for children who are training and competing regularly.
For this reason, some families choose to include regular chiropractic care as part of keeping their young athlete’s body moving and functioning well.
When Sitting, Screens and Posture Become a Problem
Children today spend an extraordinary amount of time sitting.
They sit at school, sit doing homework and often spend additional hours using phones, tablets, computers and gaming systems.
Over time, prolonged sitting and sustained postures can contribute to stiffness, reduced movement and postural changes.
If you notice your child frequently slouching, complaining of neck or back discomfort, or struggling with stiffness after sitting, it may be time to have them assessed.
Exercise, movement breaks, better ergonomics and healthier screen habits are important. Chiropractic care can also help address restrictions in spinal and joint movement that may have developed.
When Your Child Keeps Complaining About the Same Problem
Children don’t always describe physical problems the same way adults do.
A younger child may simply say something hurts. They might ask you to rub their neck or back, stop wanting to participate in an activity, favour one side or begin moving differently.
Repeated complaints shouldn’t simply be dismissed as “growing pains.”
If the same problem keeps returning, particularly if it’s interfering with sleep, school, sports or normal activities, an assessment can help determine what is going on.
What If Your Child Isn’t in Pain?
This is an important point because pain isn’t the only reason parents bring their children to a chiropractor.
I believe there’s value in being proactive about spinal health rather than waiting until a problem becomes painful.
Your child’s brain and nervous system constantly receive information from the muscles and joints about position and movement. Normal joint movement and sensory input are part of the complex neurological system your child uses to control movement, balance and coordination.
Chiropractic care focuses on the relationship between the spine, joints, muscles and nervous system. By assessing joint mobility, movement and physical function, we can identify areas that aren’t moving or functioning as well as they should.
Some parents therefore choose regular spinal check-ups for their children as one component of a healthy, active lifestyle.
It’s the same proactive philosophy I have followed with my own children.
Chiropractic Care Is Different for Children
Children aren’t simply small adults.
Their bodies are growing and developing, and chiropractic treatment needs to reflect that.
Pediatric chiropractic care is adapted to a child’s age, size, stage of development and individual needs. Treatment for an infant is very different from treatment for a teenager or adult.
Before treating a child, I take an appropriate history and perform an examination to determine what is happening and whether chiropractic care is appropriate.
And, of course, no treatment is provided to a child without parental consent.
When Should Your Child See Someone Else?
Being proactive also means recognizing when a problem isn’t appropriate for chiropractic care.
If I find something during a child’s history or examination that concerns me, I’ll recommend further medical assessment, imaging or referral to another healthcare professional when appropriate.
Parents should seek prompt medical attention for significant injuries or symptoms such as severe or rapidly worsening pain, significant weakness or numbness, difficulty walking, fever or unexplained illness accompanying pain, loss of bowel or bladder control, or when a child appears seriously unwell.
So, When Should You Take Your Child to a Chiropractor?
There isn’t one answer that applies to every child.
You might bring your child to a chiropractor because they have back or neck pain, experienced a fall, developed a sports injury, are struggling with posture or stiffness, or keep complaining about the same physical problem.
But you don’t necessarily have to wait for pain.
Some parents choose to have their children’s spines and nervous systems checked periodically as they grow, particularly when their children are very active or involved in competitive sports.
For me, that’s one of the important distinctions between reactive and proactive health care.
Address problems when they’re present – but also encourage healthy movement, physical activity and good spinal function throughout childhood.
At Collins Chiropractic Health & Wellness Centre, I’ve been providing chiropractic care for babies, children, teenagers and families in Edmonton for more than 30 years. I also completed additional postgraduate training in pediatric chiropractic care.
Whether your child is experiencing pain or an injury, or you’d simply like to have their spine, movement and physical function assessed, I’d be happy to help determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate for them.
Book an Appointment for Your Child
If you’re wondering whether your child could benefit from chiropractic care, contact Collins Chiropractic Health & Wellness Centre in Edmonton or book an appointment online. We’ll assess your child’s individual needs and discuss whether chiropractic care is appropriate.
About Dr. Dean Collins
Dr. Dean Collins has been helping Edmonton patients improve their health through chiropractic care since 1998. With over 30 years of clinical experience, he has worked with patients of all ages, helping them reduce pain, improve mobility, and maintain healthier, more active lives. At Collins Chiropractic Health & Wellness Centre, Dr. Collins focuses on identifying the underlying causes of pain and dysfunction while providing personalized care, education, and practical strategies to support long-term health and wellness.
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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