Pediatric Care
Babies, Infants, and Kids
Many health issues in babies and children can carry into adulthood if the underlying cause is never addressed. While it’s common to hope a child will simply “grow out of it,” the body often compensates instead of correcting the problem. These compensations can build over time, placing stress on the spine and nervous system, and may impact a child’s development, posture, and overall health long term. This is why early attention through pediatric chiropractic care is so important.
At Whole Family Chiropractic in Anchorage, AK, we focus on supporting the health of the nervous system during the critical early years of growth and development. Because a child’s body is constantly adapting, proper spinal alignment plays a key role in helping them grow and function at their best. Regular pediatric chiropractic checkups can help promote balance in the body, support healthy development, and create a strong foundation for lifelong wellness.
“Well-child” visits for pediatric chiropractic care are recommended alongside your child’s regular pediatric checkups, as well as during key developmental milestones. These include holding the head up, rolling over, sitting, crawling, standing, walking, and running. If a child experiences delays, skips milestones, or shows signs of imbalance, a chiropractic evaluation can help identify and address potential issues early—supporting healthier growth and development every step of the way.
Is chiropractic care safe for babies and kids?
Yes, pediatric chiropractic care is considered safe for babies and children when performed by a properly trained and experienced chiropractor. At Whole Family Chiropractic, our approach to pediatric chiropractic uses extremely gentle, specific techniques designed for a child’s delicate spine and developing body. In fact, the amount of pressure used during an adjustment for an infant is often no more than the light touch you would use to check the ripeness of a tomato. These adjustments are tailored to support proper spinal alignment and nervous system function, helping children grow, develop, and function at their best.
If your child has experienced any of the following, a pediatric chiropractic exam is essential to assess spinal and nervous system health.
- Maternal health issues, pelvic misalignment, poor diet, or other pregnancy challenges
- Intrauterine constraint such as baby positioned breech, transverse, or oblique
- Difficult, prolonged, or precipitous (fast) labor
- Diagnosis of CPD (Cephalo Pelvic Distortion)
- Rotation or traction of the head, neck, or shoulders during vaginal delivery by use of hands, forceps, or vacuum extraction methods or pelvis, head, or shoulders in a C-section delivery
- Birth traumas such as shoulder dystocia, injuries to the skull, fracture of clavicle or other bones, injury to the spine or spinal cord, brachial plexus palsies, facial or other nerve palsies
- Feeding issues such as tongue or lip restrictions, difficulty turning head to nurse, arching or pulling away in discomfort, difficulty opening mouth, “ratchety” type head and neck movements with frequent unlatching at the breast or when turned to nurse at a bottle
- Persistent postural habits or repetitively returning to a preferred position
- Only being able to nurse in a certain position (football hold, for example) or being bottle fed while being held on one side only
- Asymmetries of the cranial or facial bones
- Delayed or skipped milestones or newborn reflexes
- The child has spent a significant amount of time in inappropriate carriers (“crotch-dangling”, or some front-facing carriers) or in one position such as in some slinging methods
- Significant amounts of time spent in car seats, swings, strollers, bumbos, jumpers, etc.
- Difficulty holding up or turning the head and neck
- Intense dislike or distress during “tummy time”
- Rolling over only to one side repeatedly, or other asymmetrical developmental milestones
- Hip dysplasia, club foot, or other joint issues
- Trauma such as falls off of changing tables, beds, quick jerks or stops (pushes and pulls by older siblings), car accidents (even fender benders)
- Colicky symptoms
- “W” sitting or asymmetrical sitting patterns
- Pulling at the ear, earaches or frequent ear infections
- Head-banging, body rocking, or other repetitive self-stimulation
- Frequent sucking on thumb or clothing, mouthing toys past a developmentally appropriate age
- The decreased immune system, allergies, asthma, or difficulty breathing
- Digestive troubles such as gastric reflux, constipation, diarrhea, frequent or forceful spitting up or vomiting, distention of stomach or bowel, painful gas
- Use of jumpers, walkers, exercise saucers, bouncy seats, swings, upright seats, or other devices before the baby is naturally able to support themselves in those positions
- Clumsiness, one foot or leg that is positioned more outwardly than the other, gait abnormalities
- Quick growth spurts which change posture quickly or cause “growing pains”
- Ears, shoulders, pelvis, or leg unevenness
- Slouching
- Computer, reading, and texting habits that bring the head forward and/or down
- Heavy backpacks (more than 10-15% of body weight) or backpacks which are improperly used (should be snug to the body with both straps across the shoulders and chest strap buckled)
- Developmental delays, behavioral issues, special needs
- Bedwetting, head-banging, thumb-sucking
- Painful menses
- Sports injuries, repetitive motion traumas
- One ear, shoulder, or hip higher than the other
- Uneven head tilt
- Ability to bend the head to one side more than other
- Uneven ribcage or scapula “winging” evident when a child is bent over touching their toes
- Unevenly worn shoes
- Uneven leg length
- Physically inactive
- Sitting too long, especially in front of a computer, TV, or at school without proper ergonomics
An Early Start
Makes a World of a Difference
chiropractic care during pregnancy plays a vital role in supporting both mom and baby. When a mother’s spine and pelvis are properly aligned, it helps create an optimal environment for the baby to grow and develop. Proper alignment can reduce stress on the nervous system, support better posture, and encourage balanced pelvic positioning—factors that may contribute to a healthier pregnancy and smoother delivery.
Getting an early start with pediatric chiropractic care after birth helps build a strong foundation for lifelong health. Gentle, specific techniques are designed to support a baby’s delicate spine and developing nervous system, especially after the physical stress of the birth process. Early chiropractic checkups can help identify and address subtle spinal imbalances, promoting better function, comfort, and development during critical growth stages.
A healthy spine supports a well-functioning nervous system, which plays a key role in how a child grows, adapts, and thrives. Many families seek chiropractic care to help support overall wellness, including reducing stress on the body, improving sleep, and enhancing immune function. At Whole Family Chiropractic, our goal is to help children grow into healthy, active adolescents and adults, with a strong foundation that supports their long-term health and well-being.
Looking for a great family chiropractor in Anchorage?
Contact us today at 907-562-3060 for an appointment
Whole Family
Chiropractic
600 E. 36th Ave.
Suite 300
Anchorage, AK 99503
907-562-3060
Office Hours
Monday, Wednesday & Friday
8:00am – 12pm & 2pm – 6pm
Tuesday & Thursday
2pm – 6pm
Saturday & Sunday
Closed
