During the first year of life a babies spine will increase 50% in size and will continue to develop quickly until the age of 5. From then on there is a steady and continual growth until adolescence where children go through a further series of growth spurts. 

Children experience many different types of physical, mental and emotional stresses on a day-to-day basis, this may impact how well the spine and nervous system function. 

The nervous system controls everything your child does, from breathing and digesting to running, playing and thinking. When there is stress on the nervous system your child may be unable to function to the best of their ability. 

​Like tooth decay, spinal issues can build up over time without you being aware of them. Cases of spinal degeneration and postural issues seen in adults may be as a result of injuries and stresses that happened during childhood. 

Stress to the nervous system can reduce health without obvious symptoms, some signs that may indicate a spinal issue include sleeping issues, colic, irritability,recurring ear aches and other infections, poor co-ordination, learning or attention difficulties, poor posture or limited join mobility.

Scoliosis is one condition of the spine that we can sometimes see in children. Scoliosis causes sideways deviation of the spine, and can range from mild to severe in nature. It is important to have your child's spine  checked for scoliosis, particularly during the early years and adolescence. Early detection of scoliosis can often reduce the severity and impact on a persons life and ensure that the condition is managed correctly. 

Chiropractors use gentle techniques that they adapt specifically for children depending on their age, size and individual bodies. Having your child checked by a chiropractor particularly during big growth stages, may help their bodies develop and function at their best. 

Further Research on the benefits of Chiropractic on Babies and Children can be found here.