Three Simple Ways To Prepare Your Child For The Chiropractor

Chiropractic care is a viable option for treating children with pain from sports injuries, poor posture, and even conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. And while you might be excited for your child to receive the professional care he or she needs, the child could be a little apprehensive about receiving this type of treatment for the first time. Just as it's often necessary to provide a little encouragement about seeing the doctor or dentist, it's helpful to prepare your child for the chiropractic visit in a number of ways. Doing so can ensure that you've got a happy camper going into the appointment, not just coming out of it.

Practice Makes Perfect

Familiarity is an effective way to help children overcome their fears of the unknown, so putting the child through a "practice" appointment at home can help to reduce his or her uncertainty. Mimic the type of treatments you receive during your own chiropractic adjustments -- but don't actually try an adjustment. Have the youngster lie on a couch or bed and gently massage his or her back, softly manipulate the shoulders and work the hips and legs. It's all for show -- you're not doing anything other than touching your child -- but any apprehension should melt away as the treatment goes on.

Tout The Benefits

Talking about what to expect at the chiropractic adjustment can be helpful, but it's a better strategy to tackle the discussion with your child from a benefit-driven perspective. Explain how the doctor will gently move the child's body in certain ways and that doing so will reduce pain, help him or her concentrate better at school or address whatever reason you've chosen to make the appointment. Use real-world examples to build your case by explaining how your own visits to the chiropractor help to significantly reduce your discomfort, improve your mobility and even make you less stressed.

Allow Questions

Fear of the unknown can be a major obstacle, so ask your child if he or she has any questions about the upcoming appointment and try to answer them to the best of your knowledge. For any questions that you're unable to answer, call the chiropractor's office to inquire or make a point of sharing these questions with the chiropractor on the day you arrive for the adjustment. Depending on your child's age and shyness level, you can empower him or her to ask the questions. Chiropractors who specialize in pediatric care will know exactly how to answer in an honest, caring way to help alleviate any concerns. For more information, contact a professional like Wave Of Life Chiropractic.


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