Cameron Stewart, D.C.

Hi everyone, Dr. Cam checking in!

As a dad, keeping my kids healthy and happy is my top priority. And as a chiropractor, I know that includes paying attention to their spinal health right from the start. People sometimes ask, “Do kids really need chiropractic care?” My answer is a resounding YES!

Think about the physical journey kids go through:

• Birth Process: Even a “normal” birth can put stress on a newborn’s tiny spine and nervous system.
• Learning to Walk: All those tumbles and falls as they master balance and coordination!
• Active Play: Running, jumping, climbing trees (or playground equipment!) – kids are constantly moving and occasionally falling.
• Sports: Organized sports add another layer of physical demand and potential impacts.
• School Life: Sitting at desks (sometimes ill-fitting ones), carrying heavy backpacks – these affect posture.
• Screen Time: Yes, tech neck affects kids too!

Just like adults, these physical stresses can cause minor misalignments in a child’s spine. While kids are resilient, addressing these subtle issues early can help prevent bigger problems down the road. It’s about supporting healthy development. My own history of dealing with chronic pain that started accumulating from physical stresses in my youth (farm work, track) makes me passionate about proactive care for the younger generation.

How Gentle Chiropractic Helps Kids:

Chiropractic care for children is very different from adjustments for adults. It’s extremely gentle, often involving just light fingertip pressure – about the amount you’d use to check the ripeness of a tomato. The goals include:

1. Supporting Nervous System Function: The spine protects the nervous system, which controls everything! Ensuring proper spinal alignment supports optimal nerve communication, crucial for development.
2. Promoting Healthy Posture: Addressing minor misalignments early can help prevent postural problems as they grow.
3. Helping with Common Issues: Parents often bring kids in for support with things like ear infections (by improving drainage through better nerve function/muscle balance around the Eustachian tube), colic, growing pains, or recovery from sports bumps and bruises.
4. Optimizing Biomechanics: For young athletes, ensuring proper spinal and joint function can help with performance and injury prevention.

Seeing my own kids thrive, and helping other children in our North Florida community grow up with better spinal health, is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. It’s proactive wellness care at its best.

Got questions about chiropractic for your child? Let’s chat! Visit www.drcam.rocks to learn more or schedule a family appointment.

Here’s to healthy futures!

Dr. Cam