What can a chiropractor do for a struggling 6yo student?

[SKL]

My kid's therapist referred her to a family chiropractor. Have any of you sought help from a chiropractor for your kids' various issues, and if so, were they helped?

 

Thanks!

[PeterPan]

Adjust his neck? I take mine, but never for anything for than neck and back. Some do supplements, hair analysis, etc. etc. I walked down that road myself and ran into enough quacks (more politely put, inadequate answers) that I've never considered doing it with my kids. I use a nutritionist for nutrition and the chiro for neck/back.

 

But as far as what the neck/back can affect, absolutely it can affect some things. It can cause seizures, headaches, tension. I've seen some interesting chiros online who focus on development who can give exercises for retained primitive reflexes, etc.

 

What is it you're wanting to accomplish?

[SKL]

I was in a hurry before to go pick up my kids, so I didn't explain anything.

 

Not sure I really understand why I got the referral, which is why I'm posting here.

 

My dd is seeing a therapist (INPP program) for retained primitive reflexes that affect her learning, behavior, coordination etc. I asked a question last month about whether any of this is related to her sugar fixation, and IIRC that is what led her to bring up the chiropractor. My memory is foggy on this.

 

Initially, I wasn't sure whether I wanted to set up a chiropractic appointment or not. I was thinking probably not. But lately, my dd has been complaining about a physical issue that might be appropriate for a chiropractor to look at (I don't know - this is way above my pay grade). You know how you sometimes get a tickly itch that doesn't go away no matter how much you scratch? Well, she gets that all the time lately, and it is very distracting as well as uncomfortable. Since I had the chiro referral anyway, I decided to give them a call.

 

I gave their website a brief glance. It doesn't really say much, but it lists some kid problems that they say they can help - and my dd has several of them. Issues with concentration, awkwardness, constipation, and one or two other things. The website also talks about dietary choices. I don't know whether I need them, but I figure I'll see what they have to say and go from there.

 

So as of now, the doc is supposed to call me back in the next day or so, and tell me why I would want to take my kid there. It turns out to be right down the street from me, so I don't have much to lose.

[PeterPan]

Haha, you have a lot to lose. ;) Usually their options are $$$. Craving sugar and having fog and itching is usually candida. You can research that and decide what to do about it yourself. Theories abound. Less sugar, more fruit and veges and whole food, and a good daily probiotic (I use Primadophilus) will help. If you do that, the candida will clear out on its own, sans harsh anti-fungals or anything else. You can nudge it with coconut, garlic (foods you eat), etc. Chiros who do supplements are trying to sell you supplements.

 

This stuff is not above your paygrade, hehe. Take your time and research it and decide for yourself. BTW, I had candida overgrowth, leaky gut, chemical sensitivities, the whole nine yards years ago. I tried the supplements, and they give you die-off. In reality, you have to change your diet. Not to something crazy, but just a good, general change. Yes, if she's constipated, that's a problem. Sometimes just starting her on a good probiotic will get that moving. More fruit and veges will help. Most people don't eat the amount of fruits and veges they need. I've used a nutritionist for about 10 years now for my health issues, and the way she works with kids is to put them on salad. They start at 2 cups if they're young (say under 6) and get up to 3 cups of salad a day as soon as they can eat it. And fruit for every snack. And of course the daily probiotic. Pretty much pushes everything right out of you. ;)

 

You can also read about abdominal massage and opening her ileocecal valve. It's something simple you can do for her. Give her a bath, lay her down, massage her abdomen per the instructions, and you'll actually hear the valve open. It's sort of the door for the poop. People are so afraid of their bodies, kwim? We don't realize we can actually control this ourselves.

 

You can also use bromelain (available as a supplement, it's the enzyme in pineapple) or drink pineapple juice to get things going. I freeze smoothie into popsicles to get more fruit into my kids.

 

So candida overgrowth is what you're trying to read about. Don't get freaky about it or go overboard. Just read and come to some sensible solutions. Like you're saying, if she's itching and craving sugar, she's a bit out of whack internally and needs a few changes.

[melmichigan]

I tread lightly and with much caution whenever I hear chiropractic claims. When pregnant with my multiples I saw a chiropractor a few times. I remember reading all the posters on the wall about what they could "cure" and having serious doubts. I finally couldn't stomach the hype, the cause of everything was that we vaccinate our kids, or that ADD was caused by a misalignment in the neck, or we weren't taking the right supplements-they were happy to sell me others. My DH will go if he needs an adjustment, and I have deep tissue and myofascial massage therapy for my fibro, but I wouldn't send my DC there to treat anything you have mentioned. I'd be interested to hear what type of therapy they are recommending and what results you have if you choose to go that route.

[SKL]

I talked to the doc on the phone today, and set up an appointment for my kid to be looked at tomorrow. She said they will do a bunch of neurological tests. So I will be interested to see what they say. I'm going in with an open mind. I know someone who performs massages in a chiropractor's office, and she seems pretty down to earth while still believing strongly in chiropractic. I think there probably are quacks (and ambulance chasers) out there, but on the other hand, I'm not getting any help at all from the MDs assigned to my kid (they won't even look at her until she fails in school).

[PeterPan]

Well it will be interesting to hear how it goes! There are some chiros who know about retained primitive reflexes and developmental issues. It will be interesting! :)

[SKL]

So, checking back in. It was interesting. I've never been in a chiropractor's office before, so I didn't know what to expect. Anyhoo, she just listened to what I said was ailing my kid and talked to my kid to get a better idea, and then she checked her physically in a variety of ways. She said there were some subluxations (?) and then she made some adjustments and we were out of there. But we have to go back next Monday to talk about a "plan of action."

 

One of the things that was interesting: based on some scan machine they used, there was a big excess of heat where the neck bones are that supposedly relate to vision, hearing, and balance - all areas where my kid has clear issues.

 

The "adjustments" weirded me out, but my kid seemed to like them. Clunk! Thump!

 

I think I will give her the benefit of the doubt for now. We'll see if the kid gets affected in any way. She did seem to be a lot less stiff afterward. It was also useful to know that some of her physical discomfort is from the way she turns her leg in when she's nervous or shy. No wonder it started bothering her shortly after school started.

[PeterPan]

Sounds good to me! Yes, those basic adjustments like what she's doing are good. That's interesting about the leg turning in. Indeed, if she's doing something like that repeatedly/habitually in situations, it would have an effect.

 

Glad your experience was good so far! :)