The first years of a baby’s life are a time of fun, excitement, and astounding growth. At Functional Health Unlimited in Woodbury, MN, we stress the importance of chiropractic care right from the beginning for several reasons. Within 2 years of life the length of the spine doubles as your child grows. The first year, 65% of the development of the brain and nervous system occur. The birth process, even under normal, natural circumstances can be very traumatic to the baby’s spine and head. This can then affect the function of the nervous system and future health. That means all babies should be assessed from birth, so call us now to learn more.
Although most people don’t view the birth process as traumatic, trauma can occur from several factors:
- poor head position as the baby descends through the birth canal
- a long or very short labor
- mother’s cervix doesn’t dilate
- drugs used to increase contraction intensity
- forceps or vacuum extraction
- C-section
The first years of a baby’s life are a time of fun, excitement, and astounding growth. At Functional Health Unlimited, we stress the importance of chiropractic care right from the beginning for several reasons. Within 2 years of life the length of the spine doubles as your child grows. The first year, 65% […]
A C-section delivery possibly involves even more trauma than a vaginal birth. The force that is used to pull on the baby’s head and neck may be considerably greater than vaginal birth, partly because the uterus isn’t assisting by contracting and because of the manual technique that is used to remove the baby. The baby’s head then doesn’t experience passage through the birth canal where cranial molding takes place. A study of over 1500 babies found that:
- 10% of newborn babies had perfect, freely mobile skulls or cranial mechanisms
- 10% had severe trauma to the head, evident to untrained observers
- 80% had some strain patterns in the cranial mechanisms
What does all this mean? Birth, while beautiful, is a traumatic process leaving the baby’s nervous system needing attention. All babies should be checked by a qualified chiropractor trained in identifying these subluxation patterns. Misshapen heads, particularly flattening of the back of the skull, are becoming more and more common. Chiropractic care with someone specifically trained in pediatrics will give your child the best chance at proper development of the skull, spine, and nervous system.
So, in addition to making the most of the fun and exciting first years of your baby’s life, help him/her get started on the path to good health right from the start!
Contact us today for your free consultation!
Lori Jokinen, DC, CACCP, CFMP
Pediatrics Chiropractor Woodbury, MN
