Paediatric Technique

Newborn

The birth process can be a long and tiring not only for mother but also for baby. This process can lead to the misalignment of the vertebrae. Specific adjustments which are modified to suit the structural and functional differences of the newborn can help to alleviate these misalignments. The pressure used in these types of adjustments can be as light as fingertip pressure and it is common that a baby will be soothed by the adjustment. Common things to look for that may indicate a misalignment include: - Favouring of one side, head tilt to one side, flattening of the head, hunching of the shoulders, nursing difficulties and sleep disturbances.

Children

Throughout childhood there is rapid growth occurring which can add a large amount of physical stress to a child's body. If a spinal misalignment is present this can further add to the physical stress and alters the body’s ability to function and grow to its full potential.

It is important to screen a child at milestone ages and events for example, holding the head up, sitting, crawling, learning to walk and growth spurts as it is at these times that the spinal misalignments can occur and will affect the child. Screening will also help to detect leg length discrepancies, foot pronation, pelvic shift and scoliosis. If these are detected early in life there is a greater ability to manage these and avoid health complaints later in life.

Young Adults

As with children this can be a great time for change, it is therefore important that through this stage young adults are screened for any underlying problems.