sponsored by Cornerstone Family Chiropractic
“I don’t want to!” In infancy, kids were cute – simply eating, sleeping, and pooping – but now when it’s time for dinner, homework, or bed, it is common to be met with resistance. “I want pizza! I want to play video games! I’m not tired!” Putting it bluntly, children can get on our nerves. At the same time, we’re getting on our childrens’ nerves, but not in the way you might think.
Eating healthy food, education, getting plenty of sleep, etc. all contribute to a child’s nervous system, the area of the body that directs the functions of all other body systems. We want our children to grow well and function optimally, and a healthy nervous system is the key. While we are all trying to find the best ways to foster healthy nervous system function, there is one big part that is often overlooked, its protective structure, the spine.
The nervous system begins in the brain, travels down the spine, and then exits in parts throughout the spine to innervate the heart, lungs, muscles, and all other parts of the body. The structure and condition of the spine is crucial to keep a healthy nervous system, as an imbalance or deformation to its structure can put stress on the nervous system. These imbalances can certainly happen when a child falls or bumps his head, but often times, these imbalances occur as early as birth.
According to the journal Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, “forceful longitudinal traction during delivery is thought to be the most important cause of neonatal spinal injury…” additionally reporting, “…injury of this nature, sometimes extensive, is often latent, undiagnosed clinically and pathologically.”
If this compromise remains hidden, it can lead to a number of problems during development and interfere with normal function in life, whether homework, play, or sleep. It’s a scary prospect, but thankfully, there are doctors who study these spinal compromises and practice exclusively correcting them.
One such facility that has several doctors on staff who specialize in infant and child spinal care is Cornerstone Family Chiropractic Clinic. It is understood that infants, as well as children to an extent, are in an ever-growing state where all the systems are developing and still putting some pieces together, such as the spine. The doctors value this fact and approach each case with only gentle, nonforceful interventions to correct any found imbalances and follow-up regularly to assure no other imbalances return, the setup for a healthy structured nervous system.
When the nervous system is healthy, children are going to be functioning and developing well. Yes, they may still get on your nerves from time to time, but make sure you get “on” their nerves by encouraging them to eat healthy foods, study, exercise, sleep well, and have them checked regularly for any hidden imbalances in-between. They will appreciate it in the long run.
Dr. Jordan Jensen earned his Bachleor’s Degree in Biomedical Sciences at Auburn University in 2013 and earned his Doctor of Chiropractic at Palmer College of Chiropractic in 2018. Following graduation, Dr. Jensen was accepted into the International Chiropractic Association’s Diplomate of Craniocervical Procedures postgraduate program, where his research encompasses Chiropractic’s application of advanced imaging and patient outcomes.
