The Most Important Times to Check Children for Subluxations
/The Most Important Times to Check Children for Subluxations
A Pediatric Chiropractic Guide to Healthy Growth Milestones
Childhood is full of movement, growth, and important milestones — and along the way, little bodies can experience misalignments known as subluxations. These spinal misalignments may interfere with nerve communication between the brain and body, affecting a child’s ability to grow, heal, and thrive.
As pediatric chiropractors, our mission is to help your child maintain optimal physical, mental, and emotional health by identifying and correcting subluxations before they cause bigger issues. Here’s a guide to the most important times to check your child for subluxations, based on key developmental stages and life events.
Infancy Milestones
The early months of life involve rapid neurological and musculoskeletal development. These are crucial times to assess the spine for subluxations.
Right After Birth: Birth, even under the best circumstances, places tremendous pressure on a baby’s spine and neck. Checking the spine shortly after birth ensures that any misalignments caused during delivery are addressed early.
Source: Gutman G. (1987). “Blocked atlantal nerve syndrome in infants and small children.” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2319326When Starting to Pick Up Head While on Belly: Lifting the head requires cervical and upper thoracic spinal coordination. Misalignments during this phase can impact motor development.
At Onset of Crawling: Crawling promotes symmetrical brain development and spinal motion.
As Child Begins to Sit: Sitting unsupported introduces stress on the lumbar spine. Evaluation at this stage supports postural development.
When Child First Learns to Stand: Pulling up and bearing weight introduces new spinal loading patterns.
During Initial Walking Stages: Learning to walk comes with stumbles that can cause spinal stress.
Childhood Milestones
As children grow, their bodies continue to face physical and emotional stress. Subluxation evaluations during these times are especially beneficial:
During Growth Spurts: Rapid growth can lead to muscular imbalances and joint stress.
Source: McCoy M. (2011). "Chiropractic care of children from birth to adolescence." Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic.When Having Trouble Sleeping: Poor sleep can be a sign of nervous system stress.
Early Stages of a Sickness or Feeling Run Down: The spine and immune system are closely linked.
Source: Vertebral Subluxation and Immune Function: Chiropractic Research Review. International Review of Chiropractic, 1994.Starting a New Sport: Preseason checks ensure joint readiness.
Midway Through the Sport Season: Helps prevent wear-and-tear injuries.
After a Major Fall: Even minor falls can impact posture and spinal alignment.
Well-Baby and Well-Child Preventive Care
Just like regular dental checkups, routine chiropractic care is essential for prevention. We recommend:
Every 4–6 Weeks: As a general guideline, children should be checked for subluxations every 4 to 6 weeks. This may vary based on your child’s development, activity, or health challenges.
Source: Alcantara J, Ohm J, Kunz D. (2009). “The safety and effectiveness of pediatric chiropractic: A survey of chiropractors and parents.” Explore (NY).
Our Goal in Your Child’s Health
We want all children to be active, resilient, and thriving — not just physically, but also mentally and emotionally. Chiropractic care supports this goal by removing nerve interference caused by spinal subluxations, giving your child’s body the best chance to grow and heal naturally.
Our role in your child’s healthcare journey is to:
Eliminate or reduce spinal subluxations
Support immune and nervous system regulation
Improve posture and coordination
Promote vitality from the inside out
Whether your child is learning to crawl or heading into a sports season, chiropractic care is a proactive way to support their lifelong wellness. Ready to schedule a spinal wellness check for your child? Reach out to a pediatric-certified chiropractor today and make an appointment at LakesideChiro.com/appointment