Pediatric Chiropractic

Infants and children grow and develop at an incredibly fast rate. This accelerated growth period has quite the impact on children’s joints, muscles and nervous systems.

Chiropractic care for children is delivered differently than adults. Adjustments are delivered with gentle finger pressure and does not include the “popping sound” or high velocity trust that is often associated with chiropractic adjustments.

During your chiropractic appointment, Dr. Galasso will provide insight and address concerns that are specific to your growing child – while providing a fun and engaging experience to help your kiddo thrive.

If adjustments are indicated for your child, Dr. Galasso will go over the various options available in order to safely and effectively adjust them. These can include using finger pressure (the same you would use to check the ripeness of an avocado or peach) for new borns, or instrument assisted adjusting using an activator with the lowest force needed for toddlers and older children. Rest assured, your child will not be adjusted in the same style or with the force used to adjust an adult.

In most cases, Dr. Galasso will utilize Craniosacral Therapy (CST) in combination with adjusting in her treatment plans for infants and kids. For more information on this gentle and effective treatment approach, please click here.

Reasons parents seek chiropractic care for their children typically fall within 3 categories: alignment conditions, growth related conditions and orthopaedic conditions.

Alignment Conditions

Infants and children’s bones grow in the direction their muscles pull them. How a child walks, sits and positions their body or how an infant lays or is held will have an impact how their joints and skeleton will be aligned. Poor alignment may result in injuries and inefficient motor skills. Some common alignment conditions include: 

• Infantile torticollis or favouring a side of neck, arm, and/or hand

• Cranial shape - flat head syndrome, plagiocephaly, brachycephaly

• Latching issues - TMJ tightness, palate concerns

• Tethered Oral Tissues support - lip, tongue and cheek ties (note chiropractors DO NOT preform corrections or revisions)

• In-toeing (pigeon toed)

• Out-toeing

• W-sitting position

• Frequent falling

Growth Related Conditions

Growth is very demanding on babies and childrens’ bodies. However, pain should never be a limiting factor in a child’s growth. Chiropractic care can help manage growth related conditions and their pain while helping to ensure your child remains active and healthy. Some common growth related conditions include:

• Sever’s disease (heel pain)

• Osgood-Schlatters (knee pain) syndrome

• Muscle imbalances related to growth

• Motor Dysfunctions with gross and fine motor skills (for example altered crawling patterns, milestone development, crossing the midline etc.)

• Coordination issues (tripping, falling, balance struggles)

Orthopaedic Conditions

Just as in adulthood, there are some activities and conditions in childhood, that can affect our joints and muscles. Typically, the earlier these conditions are caught and treatment started, the better the outcome.

• Toe walking

• Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

• Scoliosis

• Foot and arch development

• Sports injuries

• Concussions

• and many more!