Why Chiropractic Care Matters for Kids.
“Wait… you see babies and kids, too?”
We hear this question often — sometimes with surprise, sometimes with genuine curiosity.
And the answer is a confident yes. Because spinal and neurological health isn’t just for adults — it’s essential from the very beginning of life.
The Hidden Stress of Birth
From the moment a child is born, their body begins adapting to a brand-new environment. Their spine and nervous system are the foundation of that adaptation — controlling posture, balance, digestion, immunity, sleep, and development.
Even a smooth, natural birth places significant physical stress on a newborn’s spine and nervous system. The twisting, traction, and pressure involved in the delivery process can sometimes lead to subtle tension or misalignment that can affect how the body functions and communicates.
This isn’t new information. In fact, medical literature has discussed the potential impact of birth-related spinal stress for decades.
What the Research Has Shown
As early as 1969, Abraham Towbin, M.D. of Harvard Medical School and St. Margaret’s Hospital in Boston published a paper titled “Latent Spinal Cord and Brain Stem Injury in Newborn Infants” in Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology.
In his findings, Dr. Towbin reported that in a series of autopsies of infants who had died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), 7 out of 8 showed evidence of spinal injury and spinal cord damage likely sustained during delivery. He noted that up to 10% of neonatal deaths could be associated with trauma to the spine and spinal cord during birth.
A few years later, David Yashon, M.D., a professor of neurosurgery at Ohio State University, addressed similar concerns in his textbook Spinal Injury (2nd ed., 1976). In Chapter 18, “Birth Injury,” Dr. Yashon discussed that spinal cord injury at birth may be more common than previously thought, citing that excessive traction, flexion, and torsion of the spine during delivery could create lasting neurological effects.
Both researchers highlighted what chiropractors have observed for over a century: the spinal and nervous systems are intimately linked, and mechanical stress early in life can influence how a child’s body develops and regulates itself.
Chiropractic: Supporting the Body’s Natural Design
At Beverly Family Chiropractic, our focus is simple — to help restore normal spinal and neurological balance so the body can work the way it was designed to.
We don’t treat medical conditions or diagnose disease. Instead, we evaluate for core structural and functional imbalances — that we call a Core Problem or Vertebral Subluxation Complex — that can create nerve stress and interfere with optimal communication between the brain and body.
Through gentle, specific adjustments — often no more pressure than you’d use to check the ripeness of a tomato — we help the nervous system reset and the body regain its natural rhythm of healing, growth, and adaptation.
When the spine is balanced and the nervous system is clear, kids simply function better. Parents often notice improved posture, deeper sleep, better focus, easier digestion, and a greater sense of calm and resilience.
Growing Healthy, Inside and Out
Childhood is a time of rapid development. Falls, tumbles, backpacks, sports, and even long hours sitting in school desks all add layers of stress to a child’s structure and nervous system. Regular chiropractic care helps ensure their foundation — the spine — stays strong and adaptable as they grow.
That’s why so many families in our community include chiropractic as a regular part of their children’s health routine — right alongside nutrition, exercise, and rest.
A Gentle Beginning
Whether your child is a newborn, toddler, or teenager, we tailor our approach to their unique stage of growth. The goal is always the same:
to reduce nerve stress, restore balance, and allow the body to thrive naturally.
If you’ve ever wondered whether chiropractic care could support your child’s growth and development, we invite you to learn more.
Visit beverlychiropractic.com/kids to schedule a complimentary spinal check or talk with our team about family-centered care.
References
Towbin, A. (1969). Latent Spinal Cord and Brain Stem Injury in Newborn Infants. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 11(1), 54–68.
Yashon, D. (1976). Spinal Injury (2nd ed.). New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts.
Dr. Derek Gallant
Dr. Derek Gallant has committed himself to helping others live the best life possible. After graduating from Wesleyan University, he received his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree from Life Chiropractic College West where he finished 2nd in his class. He is the owner of Beverly Family Chiropractic and co-founder of The Well Family Foundation. Dr. Gallant is certified through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) in the Webster technique, an analysis focused on assisting pregnant women in a healthy pregnancy and natural birth. He has inspired thousands of people to take control of their own health using the Life By Design method. Apart from full time practice you can find Derek at the parks and coffee shops around Beverly with his family, training hard at the gym, or at the beach surfing.
