When your child is growing, their body is constantly changing. Learning to crawl, taking those first steps, carrying a school backpack, playing sports, spending time at a desk, and simply keeping up with everyday activities all place different demands on a developing body.

It’s understandable that parents may have questions when considering chiropractic care for their child.

Is pediatric chiropractic different from adult chiropractic care? What happens during an appointment? Is it appropriate for every child? And when should a parent consider seeing a chiropractor?

At Holdom Chiropractic & Wellness Centre in Burnaby, Dr. Ron Uppal provides personalized chiropractic care for patients of different ages. This article explains what parents should know about pediatric chiropractic care and what to consider before making an appointment.

What Is Pediatric Chiropractic Care?

Pediatric chiropractic care refers to chiropractic assessment and care adapted specifically for infants, children, and adolescents.

Children are not simply smaller adults. Their bodies are developing, their movement patterns are changing, and their needs can vary significantly depending on their age and stage of development.

For this reason, pediatric chiropractic care should be appropriately modified for the child’s age, size, physical development, and individual circumstances.

Current best-practice guidance for chiropractors working with pediatric patients emphasizes taking an appropriate clinical history, performing an appropriate examination, obtaining informed consent, identifying situations where chiropractic treatment may not be appropriate, and using techniques modified for pediatric patients.

Why Do Parents Consider Chiropractic Care for Children?

Parents may seek chiropractic assessment when they have concerns about their child’s movement, posture, or musculoskeletal comfort.

Some common reasons for an assessment may include:

• Neck or back discomfort
• Musculoskeletal complaints
• Posture concerns
• Movement restrictions
• Sports-related aches or injuries
• Repetitive strain from activities
• General musculoskeletal wellness

Research on pediatric chiropractic care has examined a variety of conditions, but the evidence is limited for many of the health claims sometimes associated with pediatric chiropractic. A 2025 review concluded that available research has not provided definite conclusions about the benefits of chiropractic care for children across the many conditions studied.

That is why a responsible approach starts with understanding the child’s individual needs rather than assuming chiropractic treatment is appropriate for every complaint.

How Is Pediatric Chiropractic Different From Adult Chiropractic Care?

One of the most important differences is that treatment is adapted to the child.

A pediatric appointment should take into account:

• The child’s age
• Physical development
• Size and body structure
• Medical history
• Current symptoms
• Activity level
• Previous injuries
• Comfort level

The techniques and amount of force used should be appropriate for the individual child.

Best-practice recommendations specifically address modifications to spinal manipulation and other manual procedures for pediatric patients.

For younger children, the experience should also be calm and age-appropriate. A child should not feel pressured into treatment.

What Happens During a Pediatric Chiropractic Appointment?

A child’s first appointment should begin with a conversation.

Dr. Uppal may ask parents about the child’s health history, current concerns, activities, previous injuries, and any changes they have noticed.

Depending on the child’s age and reason for the visit, an assessment may look at:

• Posture
• Range of motion
• Movement patterns
• Spinal and joint mobility
• Balance and coordination
• Musculoskeletal function

The purpose of an assessment is not simply to find something to “adjust.” It is to understand how the child is moving and determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate.

If the assessment suggests that another healthcare professional would be better suited to address the child’s concern, appropriate referral or co-management should be considered. Current pediatric chiropractic best-practice guidance specifically includes referral and co-management as part of appropriate care.

Pediatric Chiropractic and Growing Children

Children go through major physical changes as they grow.

A toddler learning to walk moves very differently from a school-aged child. A teenager participating in competitive sports has different physical demands again.

These changes can affect:

• Balance
• Coordination
• Flexibility
• Posture
• Strength
• Movement patterns

Children also spend increasing amounts of time sitting at desks, using computers, playing video games, and looking at mobile devices.

Rather than focusing on achieving a “perfect” posture, parents can encourage children to develop healthy movement habits.

Regular physical activity, adequate rest, appropriate nutrition, and opportunities to move throughout the day are important parts of overall childhood wellness.

What About Children Who Play Sports?

Active children place additional demands on their developing bodies.

Running, jumping, skating, soccer, hockey, gymnastics, martial arts, swimming, and other sports all require different combinations of strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination.

Minor aches and pains can occur with physical activity. However, persistent pain should not simply be dismissed as part of playing sports.

A chiropractic assessment may help evaluate musculoskeletal movement when appropriate, but children with significant injuries or symptoms requiring medical investigation should receive the appropriate medical evaluation.

Parents should also avoid using chiropractic care as a substitute for emergency or specialized medical treatment when a serious injury is suspected.

What Should Parents Ask a Chiropractor?

Before beginning care, parents should feel comfortable asking questions.

Consider asking:

What is the reason you recommend chiropractic care for my child?

You should understand what the practitioner is assessing and what the proposed treatment is intended to address.

What techniques will you use?

Ask how treatment will be adapted to your child’s age and development.

What are the potential benefits and risks?

A good practitioner should be willing to discuss both.

How will you know whether treatment is helping?

There should be a reasonable way to monitor your child’s progress.

When would you recommend seeing another healthcare professional?

Understanding when referral may be appropriate is an important part of pediatric care.

A Comfortable Experience Matters

Children can be nervous about visiting a healthcare provider, particularly if they don’t know what to expect.

A pediatric chiropractic appointment should be patient and respectful of the child’s comfort level.

The practitioner should communicate in an age-appropriate way and allow the child to become familiar with the environment.

Parents should also be involved in the conversation and understand what is being recommended.

The goal should be to create a positive healthcare experience rather than making a child feel pressured.

Pediatric Chiropractic Care in Burnaby

For parents searching for a pediatric chiropractor in Burnaby, choosing the right healthcare professional is an important decision.

At Holdom Chiropractic & Wellness Centre, Dr. Ron Uppal takes a personalized approach to chiropractic care, with attention to each patient’s individual needs and circumstances.

Pediatric care should always be approached thoughtfully. Children deserve an assessment that considers their age, development, health history, and reason for visiting rather than simply applying an adult treatment approach.

If you’re considering chiropractic care for your child, contact Holdom Chiropractic & Wellness Centre to discuss your concerns and determine whether an assessment may be appropriate.

Holdom Chiropractic & Wellness Centre

111-2251 Holdom Avenue
Burnaby, BC V5B 0A2
Phone: 604-298-1777