Most parents don’t think twice about rushing their child to their MD when a fever breaks or they can’t shake a cold, but have you considered bringing your sick child to the chiropractor? We tend to get many calls to the office to ensure it is okay to bring their sick child in for a visit. The answer is YES; absolutely, please bring them in! Like your medical doctor, we are here to help your sick child recover.
If your child has a virus, there is not much medicine can do for them. Antibiotics should only be given and used for bacterial infections. So, if your child has a virus, it just has to run its course. Most parents are at a loss of what to do for their children if medicine is not an option. Chiropractic is an excellent option for any sick child, and here is why:
1. Chiropractic Care Boosts the Immune System
Chiropractic adjusts misalignments in the spine called “subluxations.”1 This adjustment helps to decrease interference in the nervous system, which allows the body to function to its highest potential, a.k.a. the body is better able to fight off an infection or a virus.
2. Chiropractic Doesn’t Do Prescription Medication
Medication may not be a good option for children. Many side effects can affect the body. Antibiotics harm the natural gut flora.2 When gut flora is disrupted, the body is more likely to get sick because things are not balanced. This can lead to tummy problems, including constipation, diarrhea, stomach aches, and overgrown yeast. When the gut is not balanced, the body cannot be balanced. Tylenol can also be very dangerous to children. Since chiropractors do not prescribe, there is no reason to worry about the side effects.
3. Chiropractors Know That Fevers Are Your Friend
We have been taught that fevers are bad and we need to be scared of them. And, yes, an extremely high fever is severe, but most fevers are good. A fever is the body’s response to illness, helping fight infection.3 When we try to control the fever or decrease it, we are not allowing the body to do what it needs to do, which is to kill the virus.4 Chiropractors can give tips on naturally supporting your child if they are uncomfortable due to a fever.
4. Chiropractors Have a More Holistic Approach
When your child comes in for their initial visit, we look at a thorough history that goes back to when the mom was pregnant with the child. We look at how the birth went, illnesses, diet, medication history, and any issues during their life. We observe their development, even to the nit-picky parts of how they turn their head, favoring one side, how they crawl, walk, posture, and more. This gives us a great idea of what may be going on with the child. When we look at the child as a whole and not just as a symptom, we can identify things in their life that may be causing them to get sick. We can make recommendations and modifications specifically for your child.
5. Chiropractors Keep Your Child Well
As chiropractors, we are in the wellness business. We love it when our patients come in for their tune-up wellness adjustments. But we also see a quick cold or sickness as a good thing. This tests and teaches the immune system how to operate. The body needs to get sick in the early years so that later on, as adults, the body can better fight off infection. Ideally, we want a child to get over the cold or illness quickly, within 3-5 days. If it is lingering, then there may be a dysfunction in the body that we need to correct.
Next time your child is sick, consider bringing them to the chiropractor. Or better yet, establish care now to boost their immune system and keep them healthy year-round!
