UNDERSTANDING PEDIATRIC CHIROPRACTIC CARE

By Dr. Ericka Montelione

At 6 weeks old Beckham, a baby boy, already had severe struggles with quality of life. Following a traumatic cesarean birth, this baby suffered from a condition called upper cervical subluxation complex. A condition where the upper cervical spine is misaligned leading to muscle spasm, decreased range of motion, decreased neurologic function, and a distressed individual. Studies show that 95% of infants are born with some degree of cervical sprain/strain and subluxation just from the birthing process alone. His specific symptoms were abnormal posture, reflux, fussiness, reduced sleep, and a flattening head. All of these symptoms are fairly common in babies. After just one month of repetitive adjustments, an over 60% improvement was made in all areas of complaint and overall full resolution by 8 weeks. How did this happen, even for his reflux you may ask?

Pediatric chiropractic and chiropractic, in general, are the most misunderstood health care professions. At Premier Chiropractic it is not about “treating pain or symptoms,” but addressing dysfunction in the body and finding the problem allowing the body to HEAL ITSELF through proper neurologic health — an area frequently missed in healthcare. Beckham and many other children struggle with what we consider “normal function.” It may come in the forms of colic and improper neck mobility but can also entail ear infections, bed wetting, asthma, ADHD, constipation, and more. How can a pediatric chiropractor help with such conditions? Well, first let’s discuss the problematic fact all the above conditions are commonly treated with medications. It is shocking to know our children are the second-highest drugged population group under geriatrics. In the United States, we consume five times more ADHD medications than all other nations combined! I now have children as young as 7 years old prescribed anxiety medications, and depression medications and have even had babies taking Zantac in the bottle (a medication recalled a few years ago as it is linked to cancer). Keep in mind that is addressing the symptoms and not the underlying cause. It is not convenient for an individual to commit to finding the problem, but if we consistently medicate, our children's longterm outcomes will be detrimental. My mission was greater than originally thought when I realized how sick and overmedicated the children were.

The nervous system is the most overlooked organ in the human body, only thought of when there is pain. Your spine protects your nervous system and when there is stress like birth, falls, trips, emotional situations, or even chemical overloads like poor quality foods the spine will shift out of alignment AKA subluxation stressing the nearby nerve organ. In our office we utilize technology to identify these shifts and stresses to gently realign the spine allowing the brain to transmit proper messages to the body ELIMINATING the cause of the problem where it stems from, not medicating the symptom. I went through extensive training in addition to my doctorate degree to properly care for the pediatric profession offering the best results in the area.

Now keep in mind that babies not only endure stress from birth, but so does mom. As the only Webster's Certified (pregnancy specialist) chiropractor in the region, I offer necessary and integral care to our communities expecting moms along with supportive care post partum. The fourth trimester of care is a time that mothers’ body will be going through many challenges following pregnancy. It takes approximately 6 weeks after birth for a woman's body to work out certain hormones and structural shifts that commonly lead to back pain, pelvic dysfunction, a weakened pelvic floor, and even upper back/neck pain if not proactively addressed.

Whether you are pregnant, post partum, or have a child who is struggling with proper function take the step of ensuring proper neurological health today! We don’t treat conditions but allow the body to heal itself. When parents choose to take proactive steps with their children's teeth the outcomes are always better, but how many take proactive steps with their spines? Where did you first encounter stress on your body and what have you done to ensure there are no long-term repercussions? Let Premier Chiropractic be a part of your health driven tool box and don’t procrastinate. Health comes by choice, not by chance. We say choose your child's health care outcomes and let us serve you in this endeavor to shift to being proactive versus reactive today!

DR. ERICKA MONTELIONE is one of the few extensively trained pediatric chiropractors in the Nashville region. She has taken a 400-hour advanced certification course and is the only Webster's Technique (specific pregnancy technique) certified chiropractor in the Spring Hill/ Columbia region. Her training and experience make her able to serve all her clients with excellence including actively adjusting hundreds of children each week and dozens of pregnant women. Contact Premier Chiropractic at (615) 653-4541or book an appointment online at springhillpremierchiro.com.