Many of you might look at the title of this letter and question the validity of my statement. You might say: ‘They don’t have the type of stress I do’ or ‘They haven’t undergone any significant trauma like I have.’ That may be true in some regards-but despite those generalizations, stress is still present in the nervous system and trauma has occurred. 

Trauma occurs in the pediatric population at birth. A normal vaginal delivery can impart anywhere from 30-50 pounds of force to an infant’s upper cervical spine. Caesarean deliveries, which have increased drastically in the past couple of years, impart anywhere from 100 to 150 pounds of force on an infant’s upper cervical spine. This can impact normal functions such as sleep, digestion, breastfeeding, and other skills needed for development. 

As little ones grow, they encounter all kinds of physical stresses as they learn to crawl, walk, run, jump, climb, and discover the world around them. It’s inevitable that bumps and bruises will be part of the weekly routine! Chemical stresses like routine vaccinations, food preservatives and dyes, antibiotics, and medications can easily overwhelm the nervous system that is still trying to develop. Emotional stresses in the forms of sleep training, the birth of a new sibling, changes in routine, starting school, and family moves play a part in how the nervous system adapts to an ever-changing life. These stresses are so normal and have become minimalized as we have become desensitized to the busy lifestyles we live. 

‘Okay-but my child doesn’t have any symptoms!’ That’s the amazing thing about children. A large majority of times, kids will not be present with symptoms or ailments. The nervous system is amazing in this way- it does a phenomenal job adapting to these stressors quickly and thoroughly. It is only when the stressors of life are too great that the body manifests systems to alert the brain that trouble is present.

So why should we wait for our children to have symptoms or ailments? Why should we wait for disease to manifest? Why should we wait for the inevitable hardships that we know will be present one day? Why don’t we instead maintain the integrity of the nervous system with regular adjustments, so our kids don’t have to worry about these conditions or diseases?

I want to see the world change because of individuals who want to take a proactive step in regard to preventative healthcare. I believe the best place to start is getting your kids’ nervous systems assessed. Regular chiropractic adjustments ensure that the nervous system is clear of interference, and the body’s ability to adapt to the stressors of life maintains its’ integrity. As much as we would like to make our life easy for our children, the world is a broken place. That’s one of the key reasons why we need Jesus so desperately. It is also a reason why chiropractic adjustments are so important to raise the next generation of healthy kids, free of disease and dysfunction. I encourage you today to schedule an appointment to get your child’s nervous system assessed or talk to one of the doctors for more information. The fate of future generations’ health depends on it. 

Dr. Kaytlynn