Great Lakes Chiropractic owner and chiropractor Dr. Kimberly Martin sat down with Patch to explain some of the benefits of having children seen by a chiropractor.

While she sees patients of any age, she specializes in prenatal and pediatric services, and is certified through the ICPA, which is the only accredited pediatric chiropractic certification.

Martin is also a mom to three young children.

Patch: What are some of the common reasons you treat children?

Dr. Kimberly Martin: There are several reasons but most common are: growing pains, respiratory illness, ear infections, bedwetting and headaches.
 
Patch: Why is it important for children to have a chiropractic exam?

Martin: There is often trauma during birth, which is the starting point for care.  As children learn to roll over, sit, crawl and walk their spine goes through a lot of changes.  And when they're older and more active, there are plenty more opportunities for spinal misalignment to occur, and you don’t want their spine developing that way. Even if there is no known issue, having one’s spine adjusted is a good idea for preventative health as well.
 
Patch: What’s the difference between a chiropractor and a physical therapist?

Martin: Physical therapy addresses muslce strength and flexibility.  Chiropractic addresses the structural alignment of the spine and other joints of the body.  Often, these professions work well together to resolve problems which don't respond to only one or the other type of treatment.
 
Patch: What is a typical appointment like?

Martin: An exam is much like an infant or well child exam. I examine reflexes, perform orthopedic tests, check range of motion and evaluate the spine for any misalignment.  I check for proper motion, because when the spine is out of alignment it puts pressure on nerves, and that can affect optimal health. 
 
Patch: And what about the actual adjustment?

Martin: In my practice I use the Activator Methods technique the majority of the time.  This utilizes instrument adjsuting which provides a comfortable way to adjust the spine, without twisting or turning.  Kids generally enjoy this once they are certain it will not hurt. Sometimes they'll want to pretend they're adjusting their animals or dolls at the same time!

Patch: What is a typical treatment program for a child?

Martin: Kids generally respond quickly to care. In children, most issues can see some results between 3-10 visits.  Therefore, the number of visits required to restore proper motion to the spine is less than that of an average treatment program of an adult. But everyone is different.
 
Patch: What are some common misconceptions or myths when it comes to chiropractic care?

Martin: I hear a lot of “I don’t believe in chiropractors.” It’s not a religion. It’s not fictitious. It’s a science, and it’s about understanding anatomy. People have misconceptions about what adjusting a baby or child really means. It is safe, gentle and definitely not scary! And almost all insurance companies do pay for chiropractic care. 
 
Patch: What are some things you want parents to know about chiropractic care?

Martin: I really want to educate parents about what chiropractic care for kids is and how important it is. You take care of your hair, teeth, eyes. Why not take care of the spinal/nervous system? It can help prevent so many things. Also, I enjoy working alongside other medical providers to provide comprehensive care for children–that includes chiropractic.  It does not replace what the medical community has to offer. It is just one part of making sure your child's health is the best it can be.