If you have been researching the benefits of pediatric chiropractic care, you have probably noticed two very different conversations happening online. Some sources treat it as a cure all. Others dismiss it outright. The truth sits somewhere in between, and as a parent, you deserve a straight answer instead of a sales pitch.
At Colorado Injury & Wellness, Dr. Austin Clarke works with families across Colorado Springs who are looking for a chiropractor for kids that offers a gentle, drug free option to support their child’s growth and comfort. Below is an honest look at the benefits of chiropractic care for kids, what the research actually says, and when it makes sense to bring your child in.
What is Pediatric Chiropractic Care?
So what is pediatric care in a chiropractic setting, exactly? It is not a scaled down version of adult chiropractic. A certified pediatric chiropractor uses light, low force techniques that are adjusted for a child’s smaller size, more flexible joints, and still developing spine. Pressure that would be appropriate for an adult back is far too much for a toddler or infant. Pediatric certification programs, such as those offered through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, train chiropractors specifically in these gentler methods and in working with the unique anatomy of growing bodies.
1. Supports Healthy Spinal Development
A child’s spine changes constantly between infancy and the teenage years. Growth spurts, long hours sitting at a desk, and heavy backpacks all place stress on a developing spine. This is the area where the evidence is strongest. Musculoskeletal complaints, including back and neck pain, postural issues, and sports related injuries, are the most common reason children see a chiropractor, and this category has the most research behind it. A 2024 randomized controlled trial found that adding spinal manipulation to an exercise program significantly improved pain in adolescents with low back pain, compared to exercise alone.
A pediatric chiropractor can assess your child’s posture and spinal alignment early, which may help catch small issues before they become bigger ones.
2. May Offer Comfort for Colic in Infants
Colic is one of the most common reasons parents search for a baby chiropractor, and it is worth being honest about the research here. Some smaller, older studies have described chiropractic care as a helpful option for colicky infants. However, a more recent systematic review and meta-analysis of five randomized controlled trials involving 422 babies found that chiropractic and osteopathic treatment did not measurably reduce crying time or increase sleep time compared to no treatment at all, and rated the overall evidence quality as very low.
This is one of the clearer examples of the pros and cons of baby chiropractic. Many parents report that gentle handling seems to soothe their fussy infant, and a chiropractic visit is generally low risk when performed by a trained provider. But it should be viewed as a possible source of comfort within a broader colic care plan, not a guaranteed fix, and colic should always be discussed with your pediatrician first to rule out other causes.
3. A Gentle Option Parents Ask About for Ear Infections
Because a young child’s eustachian tubes are shorter, more horizontal, and narrower than an adult’s, fluid does not drain as easily, which is part of why roughly five out of six children will have at least one ear infection by age three, according to the National Institutes of Health. Some chiropractors report that gentle upper neck adjustments may support drainage in children who experience recurring ear infections.
It is important to know that the research supporting this specific use is limited to small, older, uncontrolled studies rather than large clinical trials. Chiropractic care for kids with ear infections should complement, not replace, guidance from your child’s pediatrician, especially for infections involving fever or that do not resolve on their own.
4. Helps Address Posture From Screen Time and Backpacks
“Tech neck” is a real and growing concern. Children age eight to twelve now average an estimated four to five hours of daily screen time, and teens average close to nine, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Tilting the head forward to look at a phone or tablet dramatically increases the load on the neck. At a 15 degree forward tilt, the effective force on the spine rises to about 27 pounds. At 60 degrees, a common angle when looking down at a phone in the lap, it can climb to around 60 pounds.
Backpacks add to the problem. Cleveland Clinic guidance recommends keeping a loaded backpack between 10 and 15 percent of a child’s body weight, though other pediatric sources place the safe range slightly higher or lower. If you have noticed your own child slouching or favoring one side, our poor posture page covers what to watch for and how it is typically addressed. A pediatric chiropractor can evaluate posture, backpack fit, and daily habits, and offer simple adjustments that ease strain on a growing spine.
5. A Complementary Option for Digestive Concerns, Including Constipation
Searches for a pediatric chiropractor for constipation have grown as parents look for natural options alongside dietary changes for their child’s digestive concerns. The available evidence here consists mainly of individual case reports and small case series describing infants and children whose bowel patterns improved after chiropractic care, rather than large controlled studies. It is a promising area chiropractors continue to study, but it has not been established through rigorous clinical trials.
If your child has ongoing constipation, your pediatrician should always be part of the conversation first to rule out underlying causes. From there, some families choose to add gentle chiropractic care as one part of a broader plan.
6. Supports Recovery From Sports Injuries and Growing Pains
Active kids and teens are prone to overuse injuries as their bones grow faster than their surrounding muscles and tendons can always keep up. Conditions like Osgood-Schlatter disease of the knee, Sever’s disease of the heel, and Little League elbow are common in young athletes, and ankle sprains are among the most common injuries in youth sports, especially among young athletes.
A pediatric chiropractor trained in youth sports injuries can assess movement patterns, joint mobility, and muscle tension, which may support recovery and help reduce the chance of the same injury happening again during a growth spurt. Learn more about our approach on our athlete care page.
7. May Support Overall Comfort and Wellness
Beyond specific conditions, many families visit a pediatric chiropractic care provider simply as part of a broader wellness routine, the same way they might schedule a well child visit with their pediatrician. One notable 2018 study surveyed 881 parent child pairs and found that children were less likely to report symptoms of anxiety, depression, fatigue, and pain interference following a course of chiropractic care. It is worth noting this was a practice based survey without a comparison group, so it shows an association rather than proof that chiropractic care caused the improvement, but it does reflect what many parents report experiencing.
Is Pediatric Chiropractic Safe?
This is the question every parent should ask, and it deserves a direct answer. Chiropractic techniques used on children are not the same as those used on adults. A certified pediatric chiropractor uses light, controlled pressure, often no more than what you would use to check the ripeness of a tomato, rather than the higher velocity adjustments used with adult patients.
Research on safety is reassuring but limited. A widely cited study of 781 children under age three, spanning more than 5,200 treatments at a teaching clinic, found no serious adverse events. A separate review spanning more than a century of literature described serious adverse events in children as exceedingly rare, with no chiropractic related deaths reported in the academic literature. At the same time, major pediatric medical organizations note that high quality evidence for non musculoskeletal uses is still limited, and that any manual therapy carries some risk if performed incorrectly. This is exactly why choosing a certified pediatric chiropractor with specific training in treating infants and children matters so much.
When to Consider Bringing Your Child In
You do not need a major issue to schedule a visit. Common reasons parents bring their child to see the best pediatric chiropractor they can find include:
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Ongoing complaints of back, neck, or joint pain
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Noticeable posture changes or one shoulder sitting higher than the other
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Difficulty settling, colic, or general fussiness in infants
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Recurring ear infections, alongside pediatrician care
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Sports related soreness or growing pains
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General wellness checks as part of your child’s routine care
Talk to a Trusted Pediatric Chiropractor in Colorado Springs
Choosing the right provider matters as much as choosing the right care. Dr. Austin Clarke at Colorado Injury & Wellness works with children of all ages, using gentle, evidence informed techniques and always in coordination with your pediatrician’s guidance. If this is your family’s first visit, our new patients page walks through what to expect, including our $49 new patient special.
Colorado Injury & Wellness 1819 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, United States Phone: +1 719-471-4174
Have questions first? Feel free to contact us directly.
