Pediatric Chiropractic
at Optimum Family Chiropractic
Children of all ages in Port Moody and Coquitlam experience great benefits from receiving chiropractic care. From newborns who are just days old to active young athletes looking to improve their performance on and off the court as well as their recovery, Dr Marie has nearly two decades of experience in working with children of all ages.
As a parent of busy kids, Dr. Marie knows quite well what it takes for kids to stay entertained while completing their adjustment session! We’re here to make the experience as enjoyable as possible, for both the child and the parent. Our clinic is child friendly, and we promote a fun environment to put your children at ease.
How Do Children Benefit from Chiropractic?
A strong and healthy spine and nervous system affects motor and brain development, your child’s ability to reach their milestones, as well as their ability to grow stronger and be well balanced.
We have adjusted babies as young as a few days old, providing a great foundation for their future growth. While it may seem crazy to think that such a young baby needs care so early, remember that in utero, it’s a confined space. And even the most natural of births can be a stressful experience for babies.
Many parents have their children assessed to make sure they are growing strong and healthy. If you find your baby is showing signs of tension and discomfort in their tiny brand-new body, or your toddler or teen seems to be struggling, chiropractic works improve the alignment in their spine and in turn, this supports the health and efficiency of the nervous system.
What to Expect During Your Child’s Appointments
Children are not predictable, and we completely understand that. They have their own personalities, preferences, and boundaries. What starts as a great, happy day may quickly change. We work with your child during the appointment to find the best way to give the chiropractic adjustment. And, if it’s not going to be ideal for whatever reason, we’ll simply reschedule.
Following an assessment and discussion of your child’s health history, our team will decide the best course of action for what you’re seeing and experiencing as a parent (if issues are present), as well as what we learn during their assessment in watching how their body moves, and then decide the best approach for the age, condition, and the goals of your care plan.
We use very little force and often, their adjustment is simple movement and stretches to release tension throughout their bodies and bring more ease to their nervous system, muscles and wellbeing overall. You may also be given exercises to continue doing with your child at home in-between appointments.
The Three Types of Pediatric Care
Gestational time and the birthing journey can bring unwanted stress to babies, and the result can be signs of distress and discomfort. In Port Moody and Coquitlam, we often receive referrals from lactation consultants, midwives and pediatric dentists, as we have the extensive experience in helping children of all ages. Chiropractic has been shown to benefit young clients with:
- Problems related to nursing (latch/feeding mechanics), due to mouth and jaw tension, tongue and lip ties.
- A lack of neck mobility, leading to torticollis and plagiocephaly
- General discomfort and irritability that presents as gassiness, stiff and arching babies
Parents of toddlers often come to see us for motor milestones development, whether it is delayed or missed milestones or abnormal and asymmetrical movement patterns. We can help evaluate your little ones and ensure good biomechanics, providing guidance and at-home exercises to support their growth and development.
We love working with active kids and young athletes. Whether you’re concerned with your child’s posture and movement habits, or you have dedicated athletes training three hours or more a week, we love ensuring that kids grow strong, free from pain or discomfort, as they push their body to new athletic performance levels.
Give Your Child the Gift of a Healthy Foundation
It’s never too soon, or too late, to begin exploring chiropractic care for your child. As we tell our families, it’s always easier to raise healthy kids than to fix broken adults. Let us be your partner in giving your child the best possible start to their young lives. Contact us today to schedule a visit.
