While TikTok has been highlighting babies visiting chiropractors, not everyone is convinced this is a good move.
It can be hard to know what the best way to care for your baby is. The Internet will tell you one thing, while your parents will tell you another, your grandparents will tell you a third, and other parents your age will tell you something entirely different. It makes sense that something already as controversial as chiropractic treatment is further dividing parents and doctors online.
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The value of chiropractic treatment in general is hotly debated.
While there are some opponents to chiropractic care who claim that the industry is under-researched and not supported by the medical community, it is “largely accepted” as a treatment for issues with the neck, back, and other related pains when it comes to adults who use their services.
However, some chiropractors have gained attention for taking on an interesting clientele: babies.
“I think most people are nervous about chiropractic care in general because it seems a little aggressive, especially manual adjustments for adults,” Dr. Lindsay Pelley, a chiropractor, told Buzzfeed News . “But if you’re going to a specialized pediatric chiropractor, there are minimal risks. It’s a very gentle, conservative way to improve the baby and most likely mom’s quality of life with minimal intervention.”
But not everyone agrees.
“Babies and children are not little adults,” said Dr. Sean Tabaie, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon.
“They’re an entirely different entity as far as their anatomy, how they experience pain, and how their muscles and bones interact,” he told Buzzfeed News . “If it really helps, then that’s fine, you should do what you think helps your child, but you should be aware of the consequences.”
“I would never recommend a child go to the chiropractor,” he said.
Much of the Internet seems to agree with him.
“How is a newborn or infant (or even an older child) supposed to tell you if something hurts or doesn’t feel right after an adjustment?!” one fan asked.
“I’d never ever let my infant be adjusted. Incredibly dangerous. Any good chiropractor with proper training will know it’s not safe,” shared one commenter .
“Chiropractors are not doctors. They are well versed in what they do but do they study pediatrics, understand how an infant’s body develops over time. It seems there might be a case for using a chiropractor if an infant has had a difficult delivery, but infants have managed to grow into healthy adults without this service since the beginning of time,” another added.
What do you think? Let us know how you feel in the comments below!
