Treatment of Common Ailments

Back Pain

In a recent study, 1178 school children were surveyed and back pain was found to be cumulatively prevalent in more than 50%. Adolescents who participate in sports experience a higher incidence of back problems due to the excessive spinal loading which accompanies most sports. Similar to adults, chiropractors obtain excellent results treating back pain in children and adolescents. Chiropractic care in children and adolescents is safe, effective, and focuses on treating the cause of their discomfort rather than masking symptoms. Many of our most satisfied patients are children and adolescents.

1. Troussier B, Davoine P, deGaudemaris R, Fauconnier J, Phelip X. Back pain in school children: a study among 1178 pupils. Scan J Rehabil Med 1994;26:143-146.

Headache

Headaches are a common problem in children and adolescents. A study published in the journal Headache reported that the prevalence of headaches in schoolchildren aged 7 was over 50% (for headaches occurring in the preceding 6 months). Chiropractic spinal adjustments have been shown to be effective in treating headaches in children. Many parents would rather try a natural approach than have their child on a presciription drug.

Infantile Colic

Infantile colic is a common and frustrating condition affecting infants. It involves persistent and often violent crying for no obvious reason. There is also a considerable amount of flatulence present. Results from a Danish study involving 316 infants indicate that chiropractic care was successful in reducing infantile colic in 94% of the infants.

1. Klougart, Nilsson N, Jacobsen. Infantile colic treated by chiropractors: a prospective study of 316 cases. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1989;12:281-288.

Knee Pain

In Osgood-Schlatter Disease, the affected age is from 9-15 years and pain, tenderness and swelling is experienced just below the knee. This is actually the patellar (knee cap) tendon pulling away from it's bony attachment on the tibia. Chiropractors can effectively treat this condition through manual therapies including therapeutic quadriceps stretching and exercises. There is also an Osgood-Schlatter support which helps minimize stress on the tendinous insertion.

Otitis Media

Otitis media is an infection of the middle ear, usually secondary to an upper respiratory infection (URI). It can occur at any age but is most prevalent during the ages of 3 months to 3 years. The most common symptom is severe, persistent earache. Additional signs and symptoms include fever (up to 105-F), nausea, vomiting and diarrhea - especially in young children. Symptoms of headache, sudden profound hearing loss, dizziness, chills and fever can indicate serious complications and should receive immediate evaluation. While the medical approach to otitis media consists of antibiotics, many antibiotics are becoming increasingly ineffective. Furthermore, studies have shown children given antibiotics to treat otitis media increase their odds of having recurrent infections.

Published case studies involving chiropractic care in otitis media in children has shown substantial benefits. In one such study, 5 children (5 years and younger) who were under regular pediatric care and who had otitis media for 6 months without resolution were given chiropractic care. Chiropractic consisted of gentle cervical spinal adjustments and lymphatic massage. Otitis media resolved in all 5 children - 3 days, 4 days, 8 days, 3 weeks, and 8 weeks. Resolution was determined by otoscopic examination and reduction of fever.

Fixations and misalignments in the cervical region can cause muscular spasms as well as neurological compromise which are thought to prevent proper drainage of the middle ear. When the middle ear is unable to drain, bacteria can pool and multiply resulting in acute and chronic middle ear infections. By treating the cervical spine and assisting in middle ear drainage, a majority of otitis media cases can be safely helped. Chiropractic does not claim to treat otitis media but has been shown to be helpful in the management of this condition.

1. The Merck Manual. 16th ed. 1992.
2. Fysh PN. Chronic Recurrent Otitis Media: Case Series of Five Patients with Recommendations for Case Management. J Clin Chiro Ped 1996;2:66-78.

Scoliosis

Select the "Scoliosis" link in the links menu.