CHIRO FOR CHILDREN Right from birth, your child's spine is subjected to daily stresses. The birth process is one of the most traumatic experiences many of us will ever go through. An infant's neck must be bent one way and then the other in order to pass through the birth canal. This can leave a baby's neck with subluxations, or misalignments which reduce nerve system function. Yes, even a one day old infant can be adjusted! Our son Lucas is living proof of that. As we watch him grow and develop we are amazed at how many things he does that put stress on his spine. Sleeping on his back with his head turned to one side all night long - which is common for all infants - is a good example. Thankfully, we can check him regularly to make sure none of these one-sided stressors create problems in his spine. As your children grow it is important to have them checked to make sure their nerve system is functioning at it's maximum potential. Studies show us a much higher prevalence of back pain in children than previously thought. In a study of kids aged 12-15 years old (Olsen et al., 1992, Am. J. Public Health) 30.4% reported a history of low back pain. Mierau and Cassidy (1984) found that 22.8% of elementary school and 33.3% of secondary school aged children complained of low back pain. So don't simply pass off a child's complaint of aches and pains as "growing pains" because there may very well be something real causing his or her pain. It is also important to remember that pain is often the last symptom to appear. With that said, there are also many instances in which there is no pain experienced, even though the body is malfunctioning. This is why it is important to take a proactive approach to your child's life. Nowadays parents do not think twice about the importance of regular dental visits for their kids. Check-ups are scheduled every six months to help prevent cavities. When you consider that children use their teeth only when they eat, yet they use their spine every time they sit, stand, run, crawl, play and move. Shouldn't they receive regular check-ups for one of the most important structures in their body? Remember, "As the twig is bent, so grows the tree."