How Young Can a Child See a Chiropractor?
One of the most common questions I hear from parents is:
“Is my baby too young to see a chiropractor?”
Short answer? No.
Children can see a chiropractor from birth, when care is gentle, age-appropriate, and provided by a chiropractor trained in pediatric care.
Chiropractic Care Starts at Birth
Dr. Magen performing a gentle chiropractic adjustment on an infant.
Birth, no matter how calm or complicated, can place physical stress on a baby’s body.
Even uncomplicated vaginal deliveries involve significant pressure on the head, neck, and spine. Cesarean births, fast labors, long labors, inductions, and assisted deliveries (forceps or vacuum) can add additional strain.
Newborn chiropractic care focuses on:
Supporting spinal and joint mobility
Reducing tension from birth stress
Encouraging proper nervous system communication
This is not cracking or popping. Infant adjustments are incredibly gentle, often no more pressure than you’d use to test the ripeness of a tomato.
What About Infants and Babies?
Many parents seek chiropractic care for their babies when they notice things like:
Difficulty turning the head one direction
Preference for feeding on one side
Tension during feeding
Digestive discomfort (gas, reflux, constipation)
General fussiness or difficulty settling
For infants, chiropractic care supports movement, symmetry, and comfort as the body adapts to life outside the womb.
Toddlers & Young Children
As children grow, they experience plenty of physical stressors:
Learning to crawl and walk
Frequent falls (a rite of passage)
Growth spurts
Carrying backpacks
Sitting for longer periods
Chiropractic care during these stages helps support:
Healthy posture
Joint mobility
Coordination and balance
Comfort during growth
Visits are usually quick, playful, and designed to help kids feel safe and relaxed.
Is Chiropractic Care Safe for Children?
Safety is a common and important question for parents.
A recent peer-reviewed review, Chiropractic Care in Children: A Review of Evidence and Safety (Misra et al., 2024), found that serious adverse events associated with pediatric chiropractic care are rare, particularly when care is adapted for children. Pediatric techniques are very different from adult care and typically involve gentle, low-force adjustments without high-velocity thrusts.
The authors also emphasize that safety depends on appropriate training, proper technique, clear communication with parents, and using chiropractic care within its appropriate scope, not as a replacement for necessary medical care.
When provided by a chiropractor trained in pediatric care, chiropractic is generally considered a low-risk, complementary option for supporting a child’s musculoskeletal health.
How Often Do Kids Need to Go?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to pediatric chiropractic care. Frequency depends on a child’s age, stage of development, activity level, and specific needs.
Some families bring their children in for:
Wellness and preventative care
Periodic check-ins during growth spurts
Short-term care around specific concerns
If you’re wondering what visit frequency typically looks like for children, I break this down in more detail in a previous blog:
How Often Should Children See a Chiropractor?
As always, care plans are individualized and discussed with parents so expectations are clear and appropriate for each child.
The Big Picture
Chiropractic care for children isn’t about “fixing” kids, it’s about supporting their growing bodies.
From newborns to teens, chiropractic care can be a gentle part of a family’s wellness routine, focused on movement, comfort, and nervous system support during every stage of growth.
Looking for Pediatric Chiropractic Care in Atlanta?
At ChiroJunky ATL, I specialize in prenatal, infant, and pediatric chiropractic care and hold a Master’s degree in Chiropractic Pediatrics, advanced training that only a small number of chiropractors pursue.
If you’re looking for gentle, evidence-informed care for your baby or child, I’d love to support your family.