Chiropractic care for kids is different… because kids are different!
Although the basic premise for chiropractic care is the same whether the patient is 80-years-old or 8-minutes-old, the ever-growing and ever-changing active little bodies of children have distinct needs. Although our care is essentially applied understanding of anatomy at any time of life, chiropractic care for infants and children looks very different than that for adults, both in treatment techniques and responses. Generally, we find that children respond much faster and more profoundly to chiropractic care than adults do.
Another major difference is that pain is often not a primary complaint. This can make it more difficult for parents to know when their child may benefit from a visit with their chiropractor. There are certain “clues” that parents can watch for to gain more understanding in this area, such as postural changes, only wanting to breastfeed from one side, being off-balance or suddenly clumsy, always tilting their head to one side, refusing to roll one direction, or running with a limp. Remember, chiropractors are healthcare professionals trained in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of the neuromusculoskeletal system. That means we support the health of the bones, joints, muscles, and nerves of the whole body, whether it is full-size or still growing. We are here to help, whether for headaches and pain complaints, trauma checks, gross motor development, early feeding struggles related to biomechanics, or something more subtle.
As mentioned above, the amount of force used and the specific techniques utilized will vary depending on the unique needs of an individual kid and what stage of development they are currently in. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to chiropractic care of infants and children! Depending on the presenting patient and their goals, chiropractic care at AltaVie may include a blend manual therapy (adjustments, soft tissue treatments), craniosacral therapy (CST), kinesiology taping, lifestyle modifications, home care recommendations, exercise rehab, clinical nutrition, and health education. One aspect of care that is the same for children and adults is that you are going to be involved!
The little people in our lives love massage too!
Massage has so many benefits for your infant or child. It can help to calm their nervous system, assist with digestive issues, and help them sleep. If your baby suffers from gas or digestive problems, massage can be so helpful in getting things moving for them. Regular massage can help your little one feel their best.
Our Infant and Child Massage Therapists can show you how to massage your child at home so that you can continue to help them feel great all the time.
Preteen and studies of massage
Massage has so many benefits for your infant or child. It can help to calm their nervous system, assist with digestive issues, and help them sleep. If your baby suffers from gas or digestive problems, massage can be so helpful in getting things moving for them. Regular massage can help your little one feel their best.
Our Infant and Child Massage Therapists can show you how to massage your child at home so that you can continue to help them feel great all the time.
Sometimes our little ones have their own bumps in the road, health-wise.
AltaVie Health Naturopathic doctor in Kelowna can provide primary care to your child through all stages, effectively dealing with any and all health issues that your little one might be faced with.
Naturopathic medicine can help your little one with:
- Feeding issues
- Digestive issues: colic, gas, reflux, constipation, diarrhea
- Skin issues: rashes/eczema/psoriasis/cradle cap
- Thrush
- Allergies/food sensitivities
- Teething
- Immune support: frequent colds/flus, ear infections, fever
- Sleep issues
- Mood, attention and behavioural issues
- Developmental delays and autism spectrum disorders
Dietitian for Children and Families
Our pediatric dietitian can provide nutrition counselling services to families to develop healthy eating habits that will benefit the entire family.
Pediatric and family nutrition are essential aspects of maintaining good health. Some common issues pediatric dietitians help families with include pediatric weight management and meal planning for the entire family. This includes techniques to handle allergies and food intolerances, picky or selective eaters, and other nutrition-related concerns.
How Can Nutritional Counselling Help With All Stages of Pediatric Growth?
A Pediatric Registered Dietician can play an essential role in helping children grow and develop properly. Counselling can help expectant mothers ensure they get the proper nutrients to support the developing baby during the prenatal stage. After birth, counselling can help parents choose the best foods for their children and ensure that they meet their nutritional needs.
Your Pediatric Registered Dietician can address introducing solid foods and weaning. Also, they can assist with problems parents face in the early years, such as colic, constipation, and diarrhea, resulting from allergies and food intolerances. Other situations include pediatric weight management, nutritional deficiencies, and picky or selective eaters. Some of these situations lead to pediatric weight management problems, such as being over or underweight. Cases of underweight children are frequent, especially among those with ADHD whose appetite is reduced by medication.
As children grow older, counselling can help them learn about making healthy food choices and develop good eating habits. In addition, a pediatric dietician can also help to identify any potential problems early on and provide guidance on how to address them. Ultimately, nutritional support can be a valuable resource for families who want to ensure that their children get the nutrition they need at every stage of life.
Are You Stressed From Mealtime Struggles With Your Family?
Mealtime struggles with your family can leave you feeling stressed and overwhelmed. A pediatric dietician can help with meal planning for the entire family. They can provide you with ideas for quick, easy, and healthy meals that everyone will enjoy.
We understand how challenging and frustrating it can be when your child can't eat the same things as everyone else. Our team can provide you with advice and healthy meal ideas that will help make a meal prep easier for everyone. In addition, a pediatric registered dietitian can help you handle allergies and food intolerances for the entire family.
Do You Have a Picky Eater in the House?
If you have a picky eater in the house, you know how hindering it can be. A pediatric dietitian can help you deal with this common problem. They can provide you with tips and ideas for getting your child to eat a wide variety of foods.
Picky eaters often have weight management problems, so it is crucial to address them as soon as possible. A pediatric dietitian can help you develop a plan to get your child back on track and ensure that they get the nutrients they need to prevent any long-term health problems, such as obesity, nutrient deficiencies like iron deficiency, and issues gaining weight.
If you're struggling to get your family on the right track with nutrition, our health professionals can provide valuable guidance services online or in person. From planning meals to addressing pediatric weight management problems, we can help you and your family develop healthy eating habits that will benefit everyone.Contact us today to get started with your first nutrition consultation!
About Us
At AltaVie Health the path to parenthood is different for everyone which is why AltaVie Health provides a wide range of services including: acupuncture, chiropractic care, lactation support, massage therapy, naturopathic medicine, nutrition support, engaging workshops -- a caring community and more.
We even offer paediatric services for your little ones.