It’s one of the first questions parents ask, and it’s a good one. You should ask it of anyone who’s going to treat your child.
The short answer: when it’s done by a properly trained, registered chiropractor, using techniques adapted for a child’s age and size, chiropractic care for children is very safe. Serious problems are rare. But “safe” depends on a few things being done properly, and it’s worth knowing what those are.
A child is not a small adult
Treating a child looks very different from treating an adult. Children’s joints are more flexible, their bones are still growing, and the problems they come in with are different.
That means:
- The pressure is much lighter. For a baby, a technique might use roughly the pressure you’d use to press on your closed eyelid without discomfort. There’s no twisting and usually no “click”.
- Sessions are shorter and go at the child’s pace. Toddlers rarely lie still, and that’s fine.
- Much of the work isn’t adjusting at all. It’s gentle mobilisation, soft tissue work, stretching, and advice for parents on positioning, posture, school bags or sport.
Paediatrics has been a particular interest of mine for my whole career. A good part of that interest is knowing where chiropractic fits, and where it doesn’t.
What does the research say?
Here’s the honest version.
Reviews of the research on chiropractic and manual therapy in children have found that serious adverse events are rare. Where problems have been reported, they’ve mostly involved babies who had an underlying medical condition that hadn’t been diagnosed, or techniques that weren’t appropriate for their age. Mild, short-lived effects, like a bit of soreness or a grumpy afternoon, are more common.
That’s why the most important part of any child’s visit is the assessment, not the treatment. A thorough history and examination is how we make sure a child with something that needs a doctor gets sent to one.
On the benefits side, the evidence is strongest for musculoskeletal problems: things like neck and back pain, stiffness, and sports and posture-related aches in older children and teenagers. For some other conditions you may see chiropractic promoted for, such as infant colic, ear infections, bedwetting or ADHD, the evidence isn’t good enough for me to recommend chiropractic as a treatment. I’d rather tell you that up front than sell you a course of visits.
What a children’s visit involves
- A chat with you. Pregnancy and birth history for babies, milestones, sleep, feeding, activity and sport for older children, and what’s worrying you.
- A gentle examination. Watching how your child moves, checking joints and muscles, and simple neurological checks like reflexes, adapted for their age.
- An explanation. What I think is going on, whether chiropractic is likely to help, and what else might help, in plain language.
- Treatment, if it’s appropriate. Gentle and short. Often with things to do at home.
- Referral, if it’s needed. If your child should see their GP, a paediatrician or a physio, I’ll tell you, and why.
You stay in the room the whole time.
When your child should see a doctor first
Chiropractic is never a substitute for medical care. Take your child to a GP, paediatrician or emergency unit, rather than a chiropractor, if they have:
- A fever, especially with neck stiffness, a rash, or unusual drowsiness
- A baby who is feeding poorly, not gaining weight, or crying in a way that’s new or different for them
- Pain after a fall or accident, or pain that wakes them at night
- Weakness, numbness, loss of balance, or a change in how they walk
- Back pain in a young child (under about 10) that lasts more than a week or two
- Any unexplained lump, weight loss or general unwellness
In an emergency, call 10177 or 112 from a cellphone.
The bottom line
A good chiropractor for your child is one who examines carefully, explains clearly, uses gentle, age-appropriate techniques, is honest about what chiropractic can and can’t do, and refers without hesitation. That’s how I work, and you’re always welcome to ask questions before anything is done.
If you’d like to read more, see babies and wry neck, back pain in children or the children’s chiropractic page.
Questions parents and patients ask
Is chiropractic safe for babies?
When it's done by a properly trained, registered chiropractor using techniques adapted for babies, serious problems are very rare. Treatment for a baby uses very light, gentle pressure, nothing like an adult adjustment. The most important safety step is a thorough assessment first, so that anything that needs a doctor is picked up and referred.
Does chiropractic hurt children?
It shouldn't. Treatment for children is gentle and adapted to their size and age. Some children feel a little tender afterwards, the same way adults sometimes do, and that usually settles within a day or two.
Do I need a referral to bring my child to a chiropractor?
No. Chiropractors in South Africa are primary-contact practitioners, so you can book directly. If your child is already seeing a paediatrician or physiotherapist, it helps to bring any reports along.
Can I stay with my child during treatment?
Yes. A parent or guardian stays in the room for the whole consultation and treatment, and we explain everything as we go.
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. If you're worried about yourself or your child, get checked by a health professional. In an emergency, call 10177 or 112 from a cellphone.