No matter how you choose to raise your children, ensuring them a healthy future is a shared goal among all parents. However, an often overlooked path to a healthy future lies in the upper cervical spine. In this article, we’ll dive into the world of Upper Cervical Care and explore the many benefits this alternative form of chiropractic treatment may offer the next generation.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects a Child’s Health
Let’s view the spine as the body's framework. It allows for mobility, provides stability and range of motion to the head, and protects the spinal cord and central nervous system (CNS). If not addressed, the slightest misalignment in the Upper Cervical spine can trigger a cascade of health issues, ranging from emotional, skeletal, and nerve conditions to developmental and musculature concerns. Ensuring good spinal health is particularly important for your child during their developmental years.
How Could My Child Have a Misalignment?
This is a common and understandable question that parents often ask, and you may be surprised to learn that children are just as prone to misalignments, also known as subluxations, as adults are. The Upper Cervical Spine comprises the Atlas (C1) and Axis (C2). The unique design of these bones allows for the head's full range of motion, but it also makes them the most vulnerable bones in the body. Because they are so vulnerable, even the stress of daily life can move them out of alignment. Below are a few other examples of common ways a child could end up with an Upper Cervical misalignment:
The Birthing Process
Particularly if you had a difficult birth, excess strain could have been put on the baby's head and neck. Even during a normal birth, it’s possible for an infant's head to be bent or twisted in ways that can result in an Upper Cervical subluxation.
During Infancy
Most healthy babies begin lifting their heads independently by the one-month mark. It can take up to four months before an infant can hold its head up on its own while in a sitting position. However, it can take up to six months for them to develop the neck muscles required for full head control. This is a critical time in your baby’s development and a common time for misalignments to occur.
While at Play
Bumps and bruises are a part of growing up, and from home to playground to school, there is no shortage of opportunities for kids to tumble, trip, or fall. Children are extraordinarily resilient, and most falls and bumps are forgotten in an instant. However, if a misalignment occurs during play, it could work behind the scenes for months or years before causing symptoms.
Car Accidents
Car seats are specifically designed to save a child’s life in the event that an accident occurs. However, even the best car seat may not prevent all damage from occurring. Anything that can jar the neck can cause misalignment, and car accidents are certainly on the list.
These are just a few ways that could cause a child to end up with an upper cervical misalignment, and just as with adults, the misalignment could sit unknown for months or even years before symptoms occur.
Children and The Upper Cervical Spine
A familiar concern parents may have about seeking Upper Cervical Care for their children is safety since the body and spine are still growing. This is certainly a valid concern, but Upper Cervical care is gentle and non-invasive. Upper Cervical Care focuses on the top two vertebrae of the spine and, as such, has less of an impact on a developing spine than other types of chiropractic care. There is no uncomfortable twisting or “cracking,” making it the perfect solution for pediatric spinal care. Below are some of the benefits that your child can gain through Upper Cervical Chiropractic care at Atlas Specific:
Encouraging Optimal Physical Development:
The spine plays a crucial role in ensuring proper growth. A properly aligned Upper Cervical spine helps to fortify the entire skeletal structure, fostering healthy physical development. From ensuring a balanced posture to facilitating clear brain/body communication, Upper Cervical care can be a potent ally in your child’s growth and development.
Neurological Development:
The Upper Cervical spine is linked to the brainstem as well as the entire nervous system. Ensuring its health during the pivotal years of childhood development can facilitate optimal neurological development, helping to shape a sturdy foundation for learning, coordination, and overall neurological health.
Increased Immunity:
Children are constantly exposed to a host of pathogens and illnesses as they explore the world around them. A properly aligned Upper Cervical spine can enhance brain/ body communication, potentially bolstering the immune system and enabling it to combat illnesses and infections more effectively.
Optimal Brain Function:
The Upper Cervical region’s proximity to the brain makes it a vital component of optimal cognitive function. Maintaining alignment in this region can support healthy brain development and function.
Encouraging Healthy Sleep Patterns:
Adequate, quality sleep is essential for healthy child development. Their sleep quality directly affects their mood, cognitive function, and overall health. Upper Cervical Chiropractic care can help alleviate sleep issues and ensure that your child gets the restorative and rejuvenating sleep they need.
When Should I Seek Upper Cervical Care For My Child?
Most parents seek chiropractic care for their children when they have developmental issues with the spine, such as scoliosis or lordosis. That being said, Upper Cervical Chiropractic care extends beyond spinal issues. If your child is experiencing frequent yet seemingly unexplainable symptoms, such as fatigue, headaches, anxiety, back pain, neck pain, sleep issues, or muscle soreness, consider seeking upper cervical chiropractic care. Upper Cervical Chiropractic treatment is a gentle, non-invasive, drug-free option for a wide range of ailments and health concerns, making it particularly useful for children.
Conclusion
The benefits listed above are just some of the profound ways that Upper Cervical Chiropractic care can impact many stages of a child’s life. If you believe that your child’s Upper Cervical Spine may be hiding a misalignment, get in touch with us today to speak with Dr. Tim and Dr Danielle about the spinal health of your child.
At Atlas Specific, we’re here to serve families in Durango, Bayfield, Ignacio, Cortez, Farmington, and the surrounding communities. Our commitment is to ensure every child has the opportunity to benefit from the impact of Upper Cervical Chiropractic care. Click the link below to schedule a free consultation, drop by our Durango office at 1800 E 3rd Ave #108, or call us at 970 – 259 – 6803.
Notice of Disclaimer:
We are doctors of upper cervical chiropractic, but we are NOT necessarily YOUR doctors. All content and information on this website is for informational and educational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice, and reading or interacting with this site does not establish any form of patient-doctor relationship. Although we strive to provide accurate information, the information presented here is not intended as a substitute for any kind of professional advice, and you should not rely solely on this information. Always consult a professional in your particular area of need before making medical decisions.
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