Your kid’s complaining about their back. Or neck. Maybe they’re getting headaches. Or you’re just wondering if chiropractic is safe for children.
Lots of parents ask us this. Is it safe? Will it hurt? Why would a kid even need a chiropractor?
We provide gentle chiropractic care for kids in Denver. Safe, effective treatment that helps children feel better and grow healthy. Nothing like what we do with adults.
Is Chiropractic Safe for Children?
Yes. Very safe when done right by a pediatric chiropractor who knows what they’re doing.
Adjustments for kids are completely different from adults. Way gentler. The pressure we use on a baby is like checking if a tomato is ripe – that light. For older kids, still much gentler than adult adjustments.
No cracking. No twisting. No intense force. Just gentle pressure in the right spots. Most kids don’t even realize we adjusted them.
Research backs this up. Studies show pediatric chiropractic care is safe and effective for children. Serious complications are incredibly rare – we’re talking one in several million visits.
We’re trained specifically in pediatric adjustments. It’s a whole different approach than treating adults.
Why Kids Need Chiropractic Care
Kids aren’t just small adults. Their bodies are growing, developing, constantly changing. Lots of things can throw off that development.
Birth trauma – Even normal births can stress a baby’s spine and neck. C-sections, forceps, vacuum extraction – all put pressure on a newborn’s spine. Many infant health issues start here.
Growth spurts – Bodies growing fast sometimes grow unevenly. Can cause pain, posture problems, issues down the road.
Sports injuries – Soccer, gymnastics, football, dance. Kids beat up their bodies. Most sports injuries in children don’t get proper treatment. They just “walk it off” and problems develop later.
Backpack weight – Kids carrying 20-30 pounds on their backs every day. That’s a lot of stress on developing spines. Causes neck pain, back pain, posture issues.
Tech posture – Tablets, phones, gaming. Kids spend hours hunched over screens. “Tech neck” in children is becoming huge in Denver schools.
Falls and tumbles – Kids fall constantly. Most falls are fine. But sometimes they cause misalignments that lead to problems. Headaches, sleep issues, behavioral stuff.
Growing pains – Not always just “growing pains.” Sometimes actual structural issues causing the pain.
Your kid’s spine is developing until their early 20s. Problems that start young can become chronic issues as adults. Better to address them early through chiropractic care.
What We Treat in Children
Back pain in kids – More common than people think. Sports, backpacks, growth, posture. We help kids with back pain feel better without medication.
Neck pain – Tech neck, sports injuries, sleeping wrong. Gentle adjustments help children with neck pain get relief fast.
Headaches – Lots of kids get headaches. Tension, migraines, from their neck. Chiropractic care helps reduce frequency and intensity.
Sports injuries – Sprains, strains, overuse injuries. We treat young athletes and help prevent future injury. Common at our sports medicine clinic.
Growing pains – Leg pain, knee pain, hip pain during growth spurts. Often related to spine and posture. Chiropractic treatment helps.
Posture problems – Rounded shoulders, forward head, scoliosis concerns. Early intervention makes a huge difference for children’s health.
Sleep issues – Some kids sleep better after adjustments. When their body’s not uncomfortable, they rest better.
Colic and fussiness in babies – Gentle infant chiropractic care can help fussy babies. Not magic but helps many infants settle.
Ear infections – Regular adjustments may reduce ear infection frequency. Helps drainage. Not a cure but part of wellness care.
Bedwetting – Sometimes related to nerve function. Chiropractic care helps some kids with this. Not always but worth trying.
ADHD symptoms – We don’t treat ADHD. But some parents report kids focus better after chiropractic care. Might be related to better sleep, less pain, who knows.
Asthma and breathing – Can’t cure asthma. But chiropractic care for kids sometimes helps breathing. Related to rib and spine mobility.
We’re not claiming chiropractic fixes everything. But it helps a lot of childhood health issues. Natural approach without medications.
Pediatric Chiropractic: What’s Different
Everything’s gentler with kids. Completely different techniques than adult care.
For infants:
- Finger-tip pressure only
- No popping sounds
- Very specific, very gentle
- Takes minutes
- Most babies sleep through it or seem relaxed after
For toddlers:
- Still very gentle
- Quick adjustments
- Usually think it’s fun
- Sometimes we adjust them while they play
For school-age kids:
- Gentle adjustments appropriate for their size
- Explain everything so they’re not scared
- Often feel relief immediately
- Treatment that fits their activities and lifestyle
For teenagers:
- Can handle slightly more pressure but still gentler than adults
- Focus on sports performance and injury prevention
- Address posture from phones and computers
- Help with growth-related pain
We adjust our approach based on age, size, what we’re treating. One size doesn’t fit all in pediatric chiropractic.
First Visit with Your Child
What to expect:
We talk first. About your kid’s health history, what’s going on, what you’re worried about. Birth complications, past injuries, current symptoms, daily activities.
Then we examine your child. Check their posture, how they move, find areas of tension or misalignment. It’s not scary. Most kids are fine with it.
If we think chiropractic care will help, we’ll let you know. If we don’t think it’ll help, we tell you. Maybe they need something else. Your child’s health comes first.
After the adjustment, we talk about what to expect. Some kids feel better right away. Some take a few visits. Some are a bit sore for a day (rare but can happen).
How to prepare your kid:
Tell them the truth. We’re going to check their back and neck. Might feel weird but won’t hurt. Most kids who come describe it as feeling “good weird” or just “interesting.”
Don’t use scary words. No “the doctor’s going to crack your back.” That freaks kids out. Just say we’re going to help their body feel better.
Let them bring a comfort item if they’re nervous. Stuffed animal, favorite toy, whatever.
Most kids do great. They’re usually less nervous than parents.
Family Chiropractic Care Approach
We treat whole families. Parents, kids, grandparents. Everyone benefits from chiropractic care at different life stages.
Lots of our Denver families come in together. Mom gets adjusted for her neck pain from work. Dad gets treatment for his lower back. Kids get checked for sports injuries and posture. Makes it easier when the whole family sees the same chiropractor.
Kids also do better when they see their parents getting chiropractic care. Normalizes it. It’s just what the family does for health, like going to the dentist.
We become your family’s chiropractor. We know your kids, watch them grow, help them through different stages. That relationship matters for long-term wellness.
Sports Chiropractic for Young Athletes
Young athletes need chiropractic care. Their bodies take a beating from sports.
We treat:
- Overuse injuries from repetitive motions
- Acute injuries from games and practices
- Growing pains made worse by sports
- Performance issues from misalignment
- Recovery after injury to prevent re-injury
Sports we commonly treat:
- Soccer (tons of Denver kids play soccer)
- Football
- Gymnastics
- Dance
- Basketball
- Baseball/softball
- Hockey
- Track and field
- Swimming
- Wrestling
Regular chiropractic care helps young athletes perform better and stay healthy. Keeps their bodies aligned so they move efficiently. Reduces injury risk. Speeds recovery when injuries happen.
Many professional athletes credit chiropractic care for their careers. Starting young builds healthy habits. Your kid’s body will thank you later.
Chiropractic Care for Babies and Infants
Babies can benefit from chiropractic care too. Especially if birth was tough.
Signs your baby might need adjustment:
- Trouble nursing on one side
- Always turns head one direction
- Arches back a lot
- Super fussy for no clear reason
- Colic that won’t quit
- Torticollis (head tilted to one side)
- Favors one side consistently
Infant chiropractic care is incredibly gentle. We use the same pressure you’d use to check a peach for ripeness. That’s it. No cracking, no twisting, nothing scary.
Many babies relax during adjustments. Some fall asleep. Parents are often amazed how gentle it is and how much it helps.
Birth is traumatic for babies too. Their little spines get compressed coming through the birth canal. C-sections pull on their neck and head. Gentle adjustments help their nervous system work right from the start.
Not every fussy baby needs chiropractic. But if you’ve tried everything else, it’s worth checking. Natural approach that might help your infant feel better.
Scoliosis and Postural Issues
Early detection matters with scoliosis. Easier to manage when caught young.
We screen kids for scoliosis and other postural problems. If we find something, we create a treatment plan. Sometimes just monitoring. Sometimes active treatment with adjustments, exercises, and other therapy.
Chiropractic care doesn’t cure scoliosis. But it can help manage it, reduce discomfort, improve function. Combined with exercises and bracing (if needed), kids often do really well.
Postural issues we address:
- Forward head posture (tech neck in children)
- Rounded shoulders
- Uneven hips
- One shoulder higher than the other
- Tilted pelvis
- Knock knees or bow legs (sometimes related to hips and spine)
Catching these early prevents bigger problems later. Your kid’s developing. Better to guide that development in the right direction through chiropractic care and wellness programs.
Headaches in Children
More kids get headaches than people realize. Not just teenagers. Even young kids.
Types we treat:
- Tension headaches from school stress and posture
- Migraines (yes, kids get migraines too)
- Headaches from neck problems
- Headaches from eye strain and screen time
- Post-concussion headaches in young athletes
Chiropractic care helps most childhood headaches. Gentle adjustments to neck and upper back. Address what’s causing them. Natural headache relief without medication.
Lots of parents don’t want their kids on headache meds regularly. We get that. Chiropractic offers a drug-free option that works for many children.
Denver Pediatric Chiropractic: Our Approach
We’re experienced with kids. We know how to talk to them, how to make them comfortable, how to adjust them safely.
Our approach:
- Always gentle, age-appropriate adjustments
- Explain things in kid-friendly ways
- Let kids ask questions
- Never force treatment if a child’s genuinely scared
- Work with parents as partners in care
- Focus on prevention and wellness, not just pain relief
- Treat kids like the individuals they are
We’ve adjusted babies, toddlers, school-age kids, teenagers. We’ve seen thousands of children in our Denver chiropractic practice. Parents trust us with their kids. That trust is everything.
Wellness Care vs. Pain Treatment
Two different approaches:
Pain treatment: Kid’s hurting. We help them feel better. Usually means more frequent visits at first, then done. Problem-focused care.
Wellness care: Regular check-ups even when kid feels fine. Catch problems early. Keep body aligned as they grow. Prevention-focused approach to children’s health.
Some families just come when there’s a problem. Some do regular wellness visits. Both are valid. Your choice as parents.
We lean toward wellness for kids. Growing bodies benefit from regular checks. Catch small issues before they become big ones. But we respect that not every family wants or needs that level of care.
What Parents Say
Parents bring kids in skeptical. Leave impressed.
“My daughter’s headaches are almost gone. She missed so much school before. Now she’s back to normal.” – Mom from Park Hill
“My son plays travel soccer. Since starting chiropractic, he’s had way fewer injuries. His performance improved too.” – Dad from Cherry Creek
“I was nervous about bringing my baby in. The adjustment was so gentle I could barely tell anything happened. But my son’s been so much happier since.” – Mom from Capitol Hill
“Three kids, all different issues. Dr. Brockway treats each one differently. They all actually like going to the chiropractor, which is saying something.” – Mom from Denver
We get referrals from parents constantly. Because it works. Because their kids feel better. Because we treat their children like our own.
When Not to Use Chiropractic for Kids
We’re honest about limitations. Chiropractic doesn’t treat everything.
Go to your pediatrician or ER for:
- High fever
- Sudden severe pain
- Trauma (bad falls, accidents)
- Neurological symptoms (weakness, numbness, loss of function)
- Infections
- Broken bones (obviously)
- Severe illness
We work with pediatricians, not against them. Chiropractic care is part of your child’s healthcare team, not a replacement for medical care.
If we think something’s outside our scope, we tell you. We’ll refer you to the right specialist. Your child’s health is too important for ego.
Insurance and Costs
Most insurance covers chiropractic care for children. Same as adults usually. Check your plan or we can verify for you.
Without insurance, pediatric visits typically cost less than adult visits. Adjustments are quicker, less complex.
Never want cost to stop a child from getting care they need. We work with families to make it manageable.
Schedule Your Child’s Visit
Wondering if chiropractic care could help your kid? Let’s find out.
Call us: 720.889.1659
Visit us: 425 S. Cherry St., Ste. 307, Glendale, CO 80246
Online: Easy scheduling on our website
Taking new pediatric patients. We’ll take time to answer all your questions. No pressure. Just honest assessment of whether chiropractic care can help your child.
First visit includes consultation, exam, sometimes a gentle treatment if appropriate. You’ll leave knowing if this is right for your kid.
Serving Denver families: Glendale, Cherry Creek, Capitol Hill, Park Hill, Washington Park, Hilltop, Congress Park, Mayfair, Lowry, Stapleton, and throughout Denver, Colorado.
Your kid doesn’t have to live with pain. Growing doesn’t have to hurt. Sports injuries don’t have to sideline them. Give your child the gift of chiropractic care and watch them thrive.
Same-day appointments often available for children. Call now.
Building Healthy Habits Early
Starting chiropractic care young builds healthy habits for life.
Kids who grow up with chiropractic care understand the importance of spinal health. They learn to pay attention to their bodies. They know when something’s off. They take care of themselves proactively.
These kids become adults who prioritize wellness. Who don’t wait until they’re in agony to seek treatment. Who understand prevention beats intervention.
That’s a gift that lasts a lifetime. Better health through all stages of life. Fewer chronic issues as adults. More active, pain-free years.
Plus, kids with good spinal health now perform better in sports, sit better at school, sleep better at night, have fewer headaches, and just feel better overall. That’s worth everything to a parent.
Expert Chiropractic Care for Growing Bodies
Dr. John Brockway has 14+ years experience treating children of all ages. From newborns to teenagers. We understand pediatric development, growth patterns, common childhood issues.
Our Denver chiropractic office is set up for families. Kid-friendly environment. Experienced staff who love working with children. Parents feel comfortable here.
We’ve helped thousands of Denver kids feel better, perform better in sports, improve posture, reduce pain, and grow up healthy. That’s our specialty. That’s what we do.
Your turn. Let’s help your child feel their best. Natural, gentle, effective chiropractic care that works for kids.
Because children deserve to grow up pain-free, healthy, and strong. And parents deserve peace of mind that they’re giving their kids the best care possible.
Call today. Let’s get your child feeling better.