PEDIATRIC STAGES OF HEALTH
PRENATAL
Pregnancy Aches and Pains
Pregnancy brings many changes to the female body. Hormonal changes can lead to a variety of new issues. One hormone, Relaxin, is responsible for the softening of ligaments and can lead to unstable joints. This paired with the growing shift in the pregnant mother's center of gravity can often lead to newfound clumsiness, as well as aches and pains that previously didn’t exist. The Alpha Spine Center has referred to this condition “sloppy joint syndrome”. Existing patients are encouraged to keep up with their appointments when they are expecting, so that they can keep their nervous system in proper balance during pregnancy. Pregnant prospective patients can rest assured that the gentle, proven care at the Alpha Spine Center will help the body adapt to the many challenges it will face over the duration of their pregnancy!
Pregnancy Aches and Pains
Pregnancy brings many changes to the female body. Hormonal changes can lead to a variety of new issues. One hormone, Relaxin, is responsible for the softening of ligaments and can lead to unstable joints. This paired with the growing shift in the pregnant mother's center of gravity can often lead to newfound clumsiness, as well as aches and pains that previously didn’t exist. The Alpha Spine Center has referred to this condition “sloppy joint syndrome”. Existing patients are encouraged to keep up with their appointments when they are expecting, so that they can keep their nervous system in proper balance during pregnancy. Pregnant prospective patients can rest assured that the gentle, proven care at the Alpha Spine Center will help the body adapt to the many challenges it will face over the duration of their pregnancy!
DIFFICULT/ TRAUMATIC BIRTH
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A difficult or traumatic birth can have far-reaching effects on the physical health of both mother and child. All too often, difficulties like dystocia, breech, and facial and brow presentations can be avoided with proper maintenance care. At the Alpha Spine Center, rather than attempting to forcefully “turn” or "twist" a baby into alignment, we simply utilize specialized low-force adjusting techniques that allow the pelvis to have more room to accommodate the infant's growing body. With the rate of “voluntary” C-sections steadily rising, it is important to know that this method of birthing can be especially distressing to the nervous system and brain stem of a newborn. Be sure to know your rights as a patient and discuss all of your options with your licensed OBGYN before proceeding with a C-Section. A second opinion from a midwife or different doctor is a great idea if your OBGYN is not willing to look for different options and isn't educating you on the pros and cons of his birthing procedures.
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WATER BIRTHINGAlpha Spine Center recommends water birthing to expecting mothers who are interested in low-stress alternatives to conventional hospital births. For more helpful information, visit www.waterbirth.org to find more information on having a more natural child birthing process.
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INFANTS
Skull Shape
The human skull may seem to be a single solid bone that forms the head, but in reality, it is composed of two parts that grow independently in the womb, the face and the neurocranium. Further than that, the cranium, the part that encases the brain is made up of EIGHT separate bones. In adults, these bones are joined at joints known as sutures, which provide limited movement. In newborns, however, these bones are separated by areas of connective tissue known as fontanelles or "soft-spots" allowing for much greater movement, a crucial factor during the birthing process. It is important to make sure that these bones are properly aligned to maintain symmetry and prevent the need for a shaping helmet after birth. At the Alpha Spine Center we can assess your infant’s skull shape and provide recommendations for allowing proper growth and alignment.
Torticollis
Torticollis, or wry neck, is a condition where muscles on one side of the neck, especially the sternocleidomastoid or SCM, are constantly contracted or spasmed, causing the head to tilt, and/or rotate to one side or extend backward. While the exact cause of torticollis is unknown, the condition has been shown to respond especially well to the correction of misalignments on the atlas ( the top bone on the cervical spine.) Torticollis can be congenital (present at birth, often associated with traumatic birth) or acquired later in life. If you notice that your child is experiencing symptoms of torticollis, be sure to bring them in to receive care.
Torticollis
Torticollis, or wry neck, is a condition where muscles on one side of the neck, especially the sternocleidomastoid or SCM, are constantly contracted or spasmed, causing the head to tilt, and/or rotate to one side or extend backward. While the exact cause of torticollis is unknown, the condition has been shown to respond especially well to the correction of misalignments on the atlas ( the top bone on the cervical spine.) Torticollis can be congenital (present at birth, often associated with traumatic birth) or acquired later in life. If you notice that your child is experiencing symptoms of torticollis, be sure to bring them in to receive care.
Earaches
When the atlas becomes misaligned, the surrounding structures can often be affected. This includes those of the inner ear. If your child is experiencing frequent earaches or ear infections, bring them in to see if they qualify for gentle, conservative NUCCA treatment. When the atlas bone is misaligned it can often create pressure on the left or right side of the tissue surrounding the Eustachian tube. This mechanical pressure can “kink” the tube similar to “kinking” a garden hose preventing proper drainage of the inner ear. While it is not a replacement for medical care, this non-invasive approach may be able to save you and your child the trouble of costly and uncomfortable surgeries.
When the atlas becomes misaligned, the surrounding structures can often be affected. This includes those of the inner ear. If your child is experiencing frequent earaches or ear infections, bring them in to see if they qualify for gentle, conservative NUCCA treatment. When the atlas bone is misaligned it can often create pressure on the left or right side of the tissue surrounding the Eustachian tube. This mechanical pressure can “kink” the tube similar to “kinking” a garden hose preventing proper drainage of the inner ear. While it is not a replacement for medical care, this non-invasive approach may be able to save you and your child the trouble of costly and uncomfortable surgeries.
Colic and Constipation
Colic, a catch-all term for extreme fussiness and crying not associated with hunger, is a digestive issue related to the function of the nervous system. Nerves from the spinal cord innervating an infants bowls can become irritated and lead to problems like constipation and gas. At Alpha Spine Center, we recommend dietary changes including eliminating dairy products from both the child’s and mother’s diets, as well as being regularly checked for spinal subluxations.
Colic, a catch-all term for extreme fussiness and crying not associated with hunger, is a digestive issue related to the function of the nervous system. Nerves from the spinal cord innervating an infants bowls can become irritated and lead to problems like constipation and gas. At Alpha Spine Center, we recommend dietary changes including eliminating dairy products from both the child’s and mother’s diets, as well as being regularly checked for spinal subluxations.
Falls - Crawling to walking
A child's transition from crawling, to standing, to walking is an exciting time for parents for reasons both good and bad. As we start to move upright, there is an increased risk of falls and tumbles. These are usually harmless, but a bump to the head or a hard fall on the tailbone can worry new parents. At the Alpha Spine Center we are trained to assess if a fall has affected your child's spine and nervous system and to provide gentle corrections as necessary using NUCCA adjustments.
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TODDLERS BEFORE NUCCA / AFTER NUCCA
Healthy Spinal Curves
In the human body, there are four normal curves of the spine: lordosis (curving in) of the cervical spine in the neck, kyphosis (curving out) of the thoracic spine in the upper and middle back, another lordosis of the lumbar spine in the low back and another kyphosis of the sacrum in the pelvis. In the womb and as newborns we begin to develop and grow in a kyphotic posture. Therefore, the thoracic and sacral curves are known as the primary curves of the spine. Only later when we gain control of our head movements and start to stand, crawl and eventually walk, do we develop the curves in the neck and low back, known as secondary curves/lordotic curves. It is critical to making sure that these curves develop normally while a child's bones are still growing to prevent postural abnormalities later in life. NUCCA adjustments are a safe, gentle way to prevent these defects. An easy at home test is to have your child stand sideways and see if his/her ear, shoulder, hip, knees and ankles line up vertically. If they don’t have him/her checked immediately for spinal misalignment at the Alpha Spine Center. Bone Growth and Development
Many people think that bones are simply non-living minerals that are only in our bodies to hold us upright, but nothing could be further from the truth! Bones are composed of living cells that encase themselves in mineral layers. Some bones contain a significant amount of bone marrow, the tissue responsible for creating new blood cells. Bones grow rapidly during childhood, so it is important to ensure that your son or daughter is getting the proper nutrition they need during this time all the way through their late teenage years. While most parents know that calcium is essential to having strong and healthy bones, they often ignore or don't know about the other nutrients that play a vital role in bone health. Minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamins A, D, C, and K all play important roles in the development of healthy bone tissue. Feeding your child fruits and green leafy vegetables like broccoli, kale and spinach is an excellent way to get them these vital nutrients while avoiding the downsides of dairy products. |
CHILDREN AGES 3-9Seasonal Checkups
The human body has an amazing capacity for self-healing, and this is never more evident than in our children. During this stage of your child's development, Alpha Spine Center usually recommends maintaining a schedule of seasonal checkups (once every three months) to ensure that your son or daughter's nervous system is healthy and balanced. Sports Injuries During this stage, parents frequently engage their children in new athletic activities. Beyond seasonal checkups, be sure to have your child checked after any sports injury. While doctors of NUCCA do not directly treat fractures, bruises, concussions, and other similar sport related injuries, NUCCA adjustments can complement and speed up the bodies' self-healing process after any necessary medical treatment is rendered. Secondly, the Alpha Spine Center has witnessed and increase in spinal and extremity joint related injuries due children starting athletics too soon. It is our recommendation at this age range to make it fun and not extremely competitive. If it is a sport that uses helmets, make sure your child wears one to reduce the risk of a head trauma. |
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Attention and Concentration
The pre-teen years can often be a time where difficulties with attention and concentration arise. While you should never stop a prescription for yourself or your child without consulting your medical doctor, there are alternatives to relying on medication for children with trouble focusing. A common cause of poor concentration is the aches and pains from a spinal misalignment. When the alignment is restored and pain is eased, a child can often focus better. Sometimes children who are simply over stimulated by toxins in their diet are unnecessarily labeled with psychological disorders. Eliminating these sources like refined sugar and caffeine, along with regular NUCCA care, can provide a significant improvement in your child’s performance in the classroom. 
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AGES 10-12Scoliosis
During this stage of development, it is important to make sure that your child’s musculature can adapt to their rapidly growing frame. One consequence of an inability to change is adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. While schools provide basic scoliosis screenings, it is imperative to have your child’s spine assessed by a licensed professional to determine if they are at risk of developing abnormal spinal curves. If your child is already experiencing patterns of scoliosis, NUCCA care can be an effective means of slowing its progression. At the Alpha Spine Center we provide FREE scoliosis screenings for your child. 
Balance
The physical awkwardness we sometimes associate with the preteen and early teenage years is actually due to the body’s inability to adapt to the rapid growth of the skeletal system. Muscles, tendons, and ligaments that help us move and maintain our upright posture contain tiny sensors called proprioceptors. These sensors tell our brains where our body is in space. With the growth spurts that accompany puberty, these sensors are quickly stretched to new locations. At the Alpha Spine Center, we assist the nervous system by removing as much interference with the natural communication of the nerves as possible. Posture
Although the days of carrying around backpacks filled with heavy textbooks are beginning to wane, the use of their replacements (computers, iPads, smartphones) brings with them a new problem entirely. These issues take on many names like text-neck, turtle posture, etc. The posture of today’s youth is being affected by technology more than any generation before. At the Alpha Spine Center we provide gentle alignments to help the body maintain good posture, as well as prescribing specific exercises designed to stretch and strengthen the muscles that help our patients stand tall. |
Nutrition
You often hear, “you are what you eat!” and never is this truer than with our children. At the Alpha Spine Center we offer advice on how to provide the optimal diet for your son or daughter. This includes what foods they are eating and which ones they should avoid, as well as how much water they should be drinking, and which vitamins and minerals they may need to complement their diet. If your child experiences specific symptoms that you believe may be food related, the doctors at the Alpha Spine Center can guide you to the resources you need to diagnose and treat nutrition related issues.. Follow this link to our nutrition page for more information.
You often hear, “you are what you eat!” and never is this truer than with our children. At the Alpha Spine Center we offer advice on how to provide the optimal diet for your son or daughter. This includes what foods they are eating and which ones they should avoid, as well as how much water they should be drinking, and which vitamins and minerals they may need to complement their diet. If your child experiences specific symptoms that you believe may be food related, the doctors at the Alpha Spine Center can guide you to the resources you need to diagnose and treat nutrition related issues.. Follow this link to our nutrition page for more information.
AGES 13-18Sports - Overuse Syndrome
During middle school and high school, teenagers are generally involved in on one or two sports they enjoy and thrive in. While this is great for building physical strength and endurance, as well as developing relationships with their peers, it can begin to take a toll on their still-growing bodies. This is particularly the case in highly competitive sports programs and activities with repetitive unilateral motions such as baseball, golf, and tennis. Rather than the big injuries seen in high impact sports like football, wrestling, and lacrosse, these sports can sometimes do more damage to the body through what is called microtrauma. (LINK) These small repetitive motions put stress on developing tendons and ligaments, which progressively builds up over time. Eventually, the tissue will no longer be able to withstand the stress and give way to overuse injury and disability. Make sure that your son or daughter’s joints receive adequate rest and rehabilitation between games/matches/tournaments/injuries and that they are regularly checked for misalignments that could worsen these conditions. 
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Migraines and Headaches
Hormonal changes during puberty combined with school stresses can lead some teenagers to experience painful and consistent headaches, or even migraines. Although migraines have long been thought to be related to blood vessels, research is showing that the underlying cause is more likely dysfunction in the nervous system, especially within the brainstem and spinal cord. (LINK TO NUCCA STUDY ON MIGRAINES) If your child is experiencing symptoms like throbbing headaches, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, or other signs of chronic headaches, be sure to bring them to Alpha Spine Center for evaluation. Auto Accidents
As teenagers begin to experience the responsibility and freedom of driving, accidents do happen no matter how hard parents try to insure their safety. Be sure to have your teen drivers and any loved ones in the car checked after an automobile accident over ten miles-per-hour. A rule of thumb is that if there was damage to the car, it is highly likely that damage was done to the spine. Follow this link to a demonstration of a ten mph rear end collision. |
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COLLEGE STUDENTSPeak Athletic Performance
College athletes take their physical performance very seriously, but many are unaware of what their body needs to reach their goals. All too often athletes push themselves too hard on the field or in the gym to try to stay in peak condition. Along with proper rest, nutrition and mobility, NUCCA care and extremity work can help student athletes remain at the top of their game. Being checked regularly for misalignments of their spine and adjusted when necessary can help heighten focus, shorten reaction time, increase coordination and reduce the risk of season ending injuries. |
Thoughtless Injuries and Falls
College can be so much fun for young adults, but sometimes this can result in careless falls and injuries. If your son or daughter has recently experienced an accidental mishap like this, be sure they receive the proper care they need by having them schedule an appointment to be checked by the professionals at the Alpha Spine Center.
College can be so much fun for young adults, but sometimes this can result in careless falls and injuries. If your son or daughter has recently experienced an accidental mishap like this, be sure they receive the proper care they need by having them schedule an appointment to be checked by the professionals at the Alpha Spine Center.
Nutrition Away From Home
Going away to college brings a whole new world of freedom to explore. One realm where this is most noticeable is in our children’s nutritional habits. At the Alpha Spine Center, we can help your son or daughter understand what proper nutrition is and why a healthy diet now is so important to the rest of their lives. We offer advice on diet, hydration, and supplementation with essential vitamins and minerals that are important for young adults who are still growing! Click link below to our nutrition page for more information.
Going away to college brings a whole new world of freedom to explore. One realm where this is most noticeable is in our children’s nutritional habits. At the Alpha Spine Center, we can help your son or daughter understand what proper nutrition is and why a healthy diet now is so important to the rest of their lives. We offer advice on diet, hydration, and supplementation with essential vitamins and minerals that are important for young adults who are still growing! Click link below to our nutrition page for more information.
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