What Is Pediatric Chiropractic Care?
Pediatric chiropractic care is a gentle, specialized approach to supporting children's health through safe spinal adjustments. A pediatric chiropractor in Fort Myers evaluates your child's spine and nervous system, then uses age-appropriate techniques to correct misalignments that may be affecting their growth, comfort, and overall function.
Children's bodies are not just smaller versions of adult bodies. Their spines are more flexible, their joints are still developing, and their nervous systems are growing at a rapid pace. That's why pediatric adjustments look very different from what adults experience. For infants, the pressure used is about the same as what you'd use to check the ripeness of a tomato. For older kids, techniques are gentle, quick, and adapted to their size.
A 2019 systematic review published in BMC Pediatrics examined the safety of chiropractic care for children and found no serious adverse events reported across multiple studies. The review concluded that pediatric chiropractic care, when performed by a trained practitioner, carries a very low risk profile.
Why Children Need Their Spines Checked
Spinal stress starts earlier than most parents realize. The birth process itself, especially prolonged or assisted deliveries, can create subtle misalignments in a newborn's upper cervical spine. These misalignments may not cause obvious pain, but they can interfere with the nervous system's ability to communicate properly with the rest of the body.
As children grow, everyday milestones add up. Learning to hold their head up, crawling, taking first steps, falling while learning to walk, carrying heavy backpacks, and spending hours looking down at screens all place stress on a developing spine.
Common signs that your child might benefit from a chiropractic evaluation include:
- Colic or excessive fussiness in infants that doesn't respond to other interventions
- Difficulty breastfeeding on one side or latching problems
- Frequent ear infections that keep returning despite treatment
- Sleep problems including difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- Bedwetting that persists past the expected age
- Poor posture or uneven shoulders in school-age children
- Trouble focusing or behavioral concerns in the classroom
How Pediatric Adjustments Work
At City of Palms Chiropractic, Dr. Cierra Hager has advanced training in pediatric chiropractic care and works with children of all ages, from days-old newborns to active teenagers.
For infants, adjustments involve light, sustained fingertip pressure applied to specific areas of the spine. There is no twisting, popping, or sudden movements. Most babies sleep right through their adjustments or remain calm and relaxed throughout.
For toddlers and young children, techniques are slightly firmer but still much gentler than adult adjustments. Dr. Hager uses play, patience, and kid-friendly explanations to make every visit a positive experience.
"Kids are incredibly responsive to chiropractic care. Their bodies are still growing, which means small corrections now can make a big difference in how they develop."
Dr. Cierra Hager, Doctor of Chiropractic
For older children and teenagers dealing with sports injuries, growth spurts, or posture issues from screen time, adjustments are tailored to their specific needs. We also provide guidance on stretching, movement, and posture habits that support a healthy spine between visits.
Pediatric chiropractic care works well alongside our family chiropractic care programs. Many parents choose to bring the whole family in together, making spinal health a normal part of their household routine. If you're expecting, learn about how prenatal chiropractic care sets the stage for your baby's health before they're even born.