1. Chiropractic for pregnant mothers not only reduces the amount of pain in the lower back, but also in the rest of the body. As the baby gets bigger it pushes on the ribcage, pelvis, and pubic bone, and creates greater weight in the front than in the back. In addition, the hormone relaxin is released in the body and the ligaments become looser and more unstable. Many women report a decrease in low back and sciatic pain after receiving chiropractic adjustments. 2. Studies have shown that labor duration for first time mothers under chiropractic care decreased by 25%, while mothers who have already given birth experience a 33% reduction in labor duration compared to controls. Fallon J. Textbook on Chiropractic & Pregnancy. International Chiropractic Association. 1994 - Arlington, Virginia. 3. During the pushing stage of labor, the baby's spine may be injured as it is pushed, compressed, and twisted. McMullen, M. "Physical Stresses of Childhood that Could Lead to the Need for Chiropractic Care." Proceedings of the National Conference on Chiropractic and Pediatrics, San Diego, California. Intl. Chiropractors Assoc. 1991. 4. Symptoms may not be obvious to a medical doctor who is not trained to look for vertebral subluxations in infants. Symptoms to look for, and that respond favorably to chiropractic care: congenital torticollis "growing pains" infantile scoliosis bronchitis tonsillitis restless sleep disturbed motor responses with repetitive falls an inability to thrive Gutmann G. "Blocked Atlantal Nerve Syndrome in Infants and Small Children." Originally published in Manuelle Medizine, Springer-Verlag, 1987. English translation published in International Review of Chiropractic July/Aug 1990. 5. Pediatric expert Dr. Maxine McMullen states, "Subluxations should be analyzed and corrected as soon as possible after birth to prevent these associated conditions. Subluxations have been found to be severe enough to lead to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) due to the pressure they cause upward toward the lower brain." Mullen, M. Physical Stresses of Childhood that Could Lead to the Need for Chiropractic Care. Proceedings of the National Conference on Chiropractic and Pediatrics, San Diego, California. Intl. Chiropractors Assoc. 1991 6. As children get older and their curves change, it is important to have them checked for proper mobility. These are the best times for checkups: After the baby is born Learning to crawl Begins to walk Starts sports Head injuries Injuries to the body 8. Children, especially very young, may not communicate any complaints of pain in their backs or necks, or other body parts, like adults do. They may not able to communicate that their muscles are tight, or that they feel "less than whole". You are the parent, and you know what's best for them. Regular checks are beneficial to a healthy growing body-whether there is pain or not. 9. I personally have checked and adjusted newborns (2-3 days old) and have done sports physicals for teenagers. I have adjusted children with symptoms such as ear infections, headaches, pelvis imbalance, colic, constipation, scoliosis, and injuries to the back and extremities. Sometimes parents come in to ask me to give their child "that attitude adjustment". I have worked with athletic teenagers as well as sedentary ones and have educated them on taking care of their spines and overall health. Electronic devices have contributed to the most increased reason for a chiropractic visit that I see in the 12-18-year-old population. 10. You take your kids to get their teeth checked regularly, so why not get them to get their spines checked regularly? 11. Go to the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association's website to find out more information and research about chiropractic care for pregnancy and children. They are a valuable resource and can answer your questions or concerns about chiropractic and your child's health.