PEDIATRIC CHIROPRACTIC CARE: OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF KIDS
BY: Dr. Kim Leis-Keeling
When my son was 4 years old, he asked me “Mom, why are you carpet-practor?” Of course I had to laugh hysterically then explain the correct pronunciation of “chiropractor”. He has since gotten to understand more about sports chiropractic and reap the benefits. Both of my children are my also patients. Over the years, they have learned to listen to their bodies and know what needs attention. They are the ones coming to me and asking to be treated - not me telling them it is time for a “tune-up”.
I wanted to share some perspective from my children and other parents who bring their children in for chiropractic care. The following is a brief interview of my children, Tristan and Taylor. As well as, testimonials from parents who bring in their children regularly for care. Here is what they had to say about being chiropractic patients.
What is chiropractic care?
Tristan: “Working on your body so it feels better.”
Taylor: “Adjusting and massaging.”
What is your favorite part about me working on your body?
Tristan: “I love the lower back stretchy thing.” (He is talking about traction.)
Taylor: “I like the massage and when you tape my sore legs.”
How do you know when your body needs some work done on it?
Tristan: “When I’m really sore after practice or games, when I get a headache or my tailbone hurts.”
Taylor: “When my back or legs hurt after gymnastics practice.”
What does it feel like to get a spinal adjustment?
Tristan: “It feels sooo good!”
Taylor: “It feels good and relaxing.”
What would you tell parents who may be nervous about their children going to a chiropractor?
Tristan: “What is there to be nervous about?”
Taylor: “I don’t understand why they would be nervous.”
Is there anything else you want to share about your chiropractic experience?
Tristan: “Nope, I’m good.” (haha - typical tweenager)
Taylor: “I like it that you taught me how to tape my legs and ankles when they are sore. One time at gymnastics practice, the coach asked me to help tape a teammate because she didn’t know how to use the kinesiotape and I did. It made me feel proud.”
My personal testimony
I have been treating my children since the day they were born. We started with gentle infant massage, craniosacral therapy, various chiropractic adjusting techniques and have advanced into more dynamic treatments including stretching, strength exercises, taping, cupping, acupuncture and they have even used the Normatec Recovery Pants.
Why do I treat my children? I understand the concept that we simply cannot run our body into the ground with the physical demands of life, sports and stress without it taking its toll – regardless of our age. The joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments all take a beating and over time joints become strained while muscles and fascia get filled with adhesion and knots. Both of which can lead to faulty sports mechanics and injuries. When pain starts to set in, you cannot take enough NSAIDs to realign your joints and remove muscle adhesions. And with our national opioid epidemic roaring strong, I want my children to learn how to remove pain from their body without resorting to drugs.
Testimony by Wendy Keaney
“I take my children to Dr. Kim on a monthly basis, during the seasons that they compete. She provides much more than adjustments and physical therapy. As a mom, I appreciate the education Dr. Kim provides my children on the specific demands their sports put on their bodies and why. That knowledge has made them more aware of their everyday aches and pains and how to treat them, before they turn into more serious overuse injuries.”
Testimony by Thomas Green
“We believe that proper spine alignment at any age returns excellent overall health benefits. Our hope by adjusting our children at a young age is to maintain a strong immune system and prevent sports injuries as they grow. Chiropractic adjustments fit well into our overall family belief in prevention of diseases, over our lifetime, instead of treatment after the fact.”
Testimony by Mandi Tooker
My 3.5 year old twins have been going to Dr. Kim for a couple years now for help with leg muscles and GI complaints. She has been an amazing asset in their care, they will ask to see her when feeling in pain. She will massage and stretch muscles from head to toe. They love going there and helping with the “clicker”. She really knows what she’s doing and highly recommended.
Testimony by Sheryl English
“I decided to take my seven year old daughter to a chiropractor because she plays several sports, and takes dance and gymnastic lessons. She also wears a full backpack to and from school. So when she began complaining of headaches I was concerned that she strained something in her neck and would be prone to injury because of an imbalance in her body or lack of muscle strength. My daughter’s pediatrician was in favor of her visiting a chiropractor and liked Dr. Kim Keeling at the Sports & Spinal Wellness Center.
At the first appointment, Dr. Keeling observed my daughter’s posture and examined her from head to toe. My daughter can be fearful of new experiences but immediately felt very relaxed with Dr. Keeling. We received a simple and quick exercise to do at home, and Dr. Keeling massaged my daughter’s neck and muscles along the back to loosen them. She also worked on my daughter’s hips to ensure that they were aligned. Dr. Keeling uses massage or a painless, non-invasive tool that makes clicking sounds when working on my daughter. My daughter loves going to the chiropractor. She finds it very relaxing and always feels great afterwards. I have been amazed at how tight my daughter’s muscles can be and that she has trigger points at such a young age. I believe that the chiropractic appointments are helping my daughter to stay in shape and the benefits will last her a life time.”
As always, if you have questions about this article and pediatric chiropractic care, I would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Our consultations are always free. Please feel free to contact us at the Sports & Spinal Wellness Center at 518-869-3415. Please visit our website for more information at www.sportsandspinalwellness.com. We would be happy to be a part of your health care team.