Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, Chiropractic · August 13, 2018 · Pages 90 to 98
Pediatric chiropractic research co-authored by Dr. Shannon
Before she became a chiropractor, Dr. Shannon worked as a research molecular biologist at the CDC. She still loves the research side of care.
The study in plain language
This is a retrospective case series of five children, ages 9 to 13, who had been under chiropractic care since birth, and whose mothers were all under chiropractic care during pregnancy. The authors interviewed each family with a structured health questionnaire about the pregnancy, the birth and the child's health through infancy and childhood.
All of the mothers reported feeling better during pregnancy, with fewer symptoms like low back pain, numbness in the arms or legs and general soreness. Parents reported that their children had healthy childhoods, ate well, exercised and slept well, and rated their child's health as better than that of other children the same age.
The authors conclude that these reports show the need for continued studies into health outcomes after long-term chiropractic care before, during and after birth.
Why it matters to families
Most pediatric chiropractic visits are for wellness care, yet very few studies follow children who have been under care for many years, especially since birth. This small study adds families' own experiences to that conversation and points toward the larger studies still needed.
This is a small case series based on parent reports. It does not prove that chiropractic care caused these outcomes, and it is not a substitute for advice about your own child.
Key words: chiropractic care, pediatrics, wellness, vertebral subluxation, quality of life.