Special needs children often experience a lot of stress, and stress affects the body whether it’s physical, emotional, or chemical.
For example, children with Autism Spectrum Disorder sometimes bang their heads or continuously spin around, which can cause trauma to the body. They also experience emotions more intensely than atypical children. Not to mention their medications can also contribute to imbalances in their body chemistry.
Other special needs are caused by an imbalance in the brain, wherein some areas of the brain develop much slower compared to the rest. Or sometimes the position of the child in the womb can cause tightening of muscles or when they are being pulled out during birth causes a misalignment in the spine.
However, these conditions don’t always mean your child can’t lead a full, happy life. Many special needs children have defied the odds given to them at birth, with continuous support and care.
One way to help alleviate or even eliminate these problems, that perhaps parents haven’t explored yet, is through chiropractic care.
A chiropractor’s job is to look for the underlying problems in the body causing these issues. Though they are mainly known for adjusting and aligning the spine, they also do other forms of sensory-motor processing therapy. But the spine is the center of the nervous system so any adjustments made to improve its alignment and stability is felt by the entire body
With regular chiropractic care, a properly functioning nervous system can be restored. Your child can experience a better range of motion and blood flow that can heal the muscles, soft tissues, the nervous system, and digestive system. With reduced pain, sleep is improved, and mood and general well-being are both elevated. Learning and social skills also improve.
Misalignments as a result of womb positioning or a traumatic birth experience can lead to more serious neck and spine problems, which contribute to delays in a child’s development.
The good news is that they can be detected early and dealt with in a timely manner.
When a child is approaching their first year, observe them as they try to learn to move on their own. See if they can roll over, sit up, and crawl. Problems with any of these movements may mean that they’re not able to move their hips properly. If they have tightened muscles or restricted joint movements on their hips and necks, it can influence their ability to properly achieve these first-year milestones.
If you detect any difficulty with the movements mentioned, there’s no harm in taking your child to see a chiropractor for assessment.
Special needs children don’t often feel comfortable in a new environment so if you’re taking them to a chiropractor for the first time, you must prepare to make their visit a pleasant one. This way, future treatments can be done regularly with ease.
First, schedule a meeting with a chiropractor without your child to explain to them your child’s condition, routine, needs, moods, etc. They may be a specialist, but you as a parent are the expert on your child’s care. Let them understand how their behavior, mannerisms, and even clothes can affect your child. They need to be confident, calm, and sensitive; not nervous, loud, and brusque.
Help them prepare the treatment room so that it becomes a peaceful and most importantly, consistent environment for your child. Make sure no ringing phones or slamming doors can be heard, and nothing in the room is distracting or stimulating.
Next, schedule another meeting this time with your child present but the chiropractor won’t touch them yet. This is the time for your child to get to know the chiropractor and get the chance to feel comfortable with them. This can take a few meetings, with each one progressing the chiropractor’s ability to put their hands on your child without them getting stressed.
Make sure to schedule these meetings during a time when your child’s energy is at its minimum capacity, or when they are most receptive. Don’t schedule meetings during a particularly difficult day for the child. The goal is to make these visits feel like routine.
Results vary in each child. Some experience immediate relief while others may take more time or need frequent adjustments.
Observe your child’s progress during treatment and at home. Note these observations in a journal and share them with your chiropractor to get insights.
Remember to be patient and know that each session is working towards improvements in your child’s life. Chiropractic care can be a commitment but as you watch your child’s progress, you’ll see that it’s very worth it.
If you’re interested in exploring chiropractic care for your child, you can contact us via the home page form to set up an appointment.
