Pediatric Chiropractic Care in Indianapolis
Gentle, Age-Appropriate Care for Growing Bodies
Children's bodies are constantly growing, changing, and adapting. From learning to crawl and walk to carrying backpacks and participating in sports, each stage of childhood places different demands on the musculoskeletal system.
At Street Chiropractic in Indianapolis, we provide gentle, individualized chiropractic care for children based on their age, development, symptoms, and specific needs.
Pediatric chiropractic care is not simply adult chiropractic performed on a smaller patient. Techniques and the amount of force used are modified appropriately for the child's size, age, comfort, and examination findings.
Why Do Parents Bring Their Children to a Chiropractor?
Parents may seek a musculoskeletal evaluation for a variety of reasons, including:
Neck or back discomfort
Sports-related aches and injuries
Postural concerns
Muscle tightness
Joint or movement restrictions
Discomfort related to backpacks or prolonged sitting
Recovery following minor musculoskeletal injuries
Mobility or movement concerns
General musculoskeletal evaluation
As children become more active in sports and activities, chiropractic care may also be incorporated alongside rehabilitation to address mobility, strength, and movement mechanics.
Pediatric Chiropractic for Babies & Young Children
Infants and young children require a very different approach than adults.
When evaluating a baby or young child, we consider their developmental stage, movement, comfort, and relevant history. Any hands-on techniques used are gentle and modified specifically for their age and size.
We also recognize that symptoms in infants and young children can have many causes. When a concern falls outside the appropriate scope of chiropractic care or requires additional evaluation, we recommend follow-up with the child's pediatrician or another appropriate healthcare provider.
Chiropractic Care for School-Age Children
School introduces new physical demands, including prolonged sitting, computer and tablet use, backpacks, sports, and repetitive activities.
For school-age children experiencing musculoskeletal complaints, we can evaluate posture, mobility, joint function, muscle balance, and movement patterns to help determine what may be contributing to their symptoms.
Chiropractic Care for Young Athletes
Growing athletes place significant demands on their bodies.
Running, jumping, lifting, throwing, gymnastics, dance, basketball, soccer, and other activities can contribute to muscle soreness, mobility restrictions, and overuse or sports-related injuries.
When appropriate, care may combine chiropractic treatment with rehabilitation and exercise to address movement, mobility, strength, and return to activity.
What to Expect at Your Child's First Visit
Your child's first appointment starts with a consultation.
We'll discuss the reason for the visit, relevant health history, activities, previous injuries, and any concerns you have as a parent.
An age-appropriate examination may include evaluation of:
Posture
Range of motion
Joint mobility
Muscle function
Movement patterns
Orthopedic or neurological findings when appropriate
We use these findings to determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate and discuss our recommendations with you before beginning a treatment plan.
Pediatric Chiropractic FAQs
Is pediatric chiropractic different from adult chiropractic?
Yes. Techniques are modified according to the child's age, size, development, condition, and comfort. Pediatric care generally uses substantially less force than techniques that may be used with adults.
Do you adjust babies?
Yes. When appropriate following evaluation, gentle manual techniques may be used with infants. The approach and amount of pressure are modified for an infant's size and developmental stage.
Can chiropractic help with sports injuries in children?
Chiropractic and rehabilitative care may be appropriate for certain musculoskeletal sports injuries. The appropriate treatment depends on the type and severity of the injury, the child's age, and examination findings.
Does pediatric chiropractic treat colic, ear infections, reflux, or other childhood illnesses?
Chiropractic care has been known to help relieve symptoms of these conditions, but chiropractic should not replace pediatric medical care or be presented as a treatment for childhood diseases or infections. Our pediatric chiropractic care focuses on the musculoskeletal system, movement, mobility, and improving overall function.
Pediatric Chiropractic Care at Street Chiropractic
From little ones reaching new developmental milestones to teenagers competing in sports, every stage of childhood brings different physical demands.
At Street Chiropractic, our goal is to provide gentle, individualized and age-appropriate care while helping parents understand their child's musculoskeletal health.