You do everything to ensure your baby's health during pregnancy: you eat right, avoid drugs, smoking and drinking, take childbirth classes so you can have a natural, drug-free birth. After the baby is born, you breastfeed knowing that is the superior form of nutrition; you do everything you can to make sure your baby is healthy ---- but have you had the most important part of their health, their spine and nervous system, checked?

Of a random group of 1,250 babies examined 5 days after birth, 211 suffered from vomiting, hyperactivity and sleeplessness -- spinal abnormalities were found in 95% of this group. Spinal adjustment "frequently resulted in immediate quieting, cessation of crying, muscular relaxation and sleepiness." The authors noted that an unhealthy spine causes "many clinical features from central motor impairment to lower resistance to infections -- especially ear, nose and throat infections."

Shaken Baby Syndrome

Babies are very top heavy. Mild to moderate shaking of a child can result in serious neurological damage since their neck muscles are undeveloped. This damage has been known to occur after playfully throwing the child up in the air and catching him/her. The damage caused is called Shaken Baby Syndrome.

When does a Baby need a Spinal Checkup?

There are times in a baby's first year of life when spinal examinations are especially important.

1. After the birth process.
2. When the baby starts to hold his/her head up.
3. When the baby sits up.
4. When the baby starts to crawl.
5. When the baby starts to stand.
6. When the baby starts to walk.

Vertebral subluxation

Older children are also at risk of spinal trauma. Sports activities, poor posture ("slouching"), improper backpack use, and working at an improperly sized desk all take a toll.
 

It's no wonder that many youngsters develop vertebral subluxation.
Vertebral subluxation is linked with a myriad of childhood ailments, such as colic, asthma, ear infection, and attention deficit disorders. As children grow older, untreated vertebral subluxations may also spark headaches, back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Chiropractor works to correct these subluxations before the onset of symptoms -- and to prevent new ones from forming. This is accomplished with safe and effective manoeuvres called chiropractic adjustments. These are extremely gentle, modified adjusting techniques to alleviate spinal problems in pediatric clients.