Preschoolers

Dr. Lydia Knutson with 4 year old patient

As a child becomes upright, the opportunity for exploration (and injury!) increases. Young children appear to recover quickly from bumps or falls, and indeed usually do! But sometimes, though the surface injury heals perfectly, the developing brain can’t manage to clear the neurological confusion caused by the injury and the child is left with a hidden biomechanical instability. By this age, those instabilities can become easier to detect. The developing sensory-motor system, so dependent upon movement patterns, will begin to show strain as the body struggles with the mechanics of movement. Often a child will have difficulty with the more advanced weight bearing activities such as hopping and skipping, or they have an awkward run. 

Signs of biomechanical injury include: 

• Headaches or chronic pain of any kind
• Difficult hopping, skipping, jumping, climbing
• Clumsiness or poor balance
• Unequal use of limbs
• Habitual head tilt 
• Scoliosis
• Squirmy, constantly shifting position
• Vision problems, poor school performance
• Sensory processing issues
• Poor immunity, digestion or constipation
• Quick to anger, easily frustrated, unexplained fears
• Rigid behaviors (toilet training, daily routines)

At this age, children love coming to the chiropractor. They can tell it is a place to get help. Many young patients tell their parents when it’s time for a visit! If they don’t let you know, watch for signs of regressive behaviors, a sudden bad cold or ear infection, or a degeneration of physical skills. Just a few chiropractic treatments can restore the motor system to efficient functioning and physical difficulties disappear, behavior improves and the immune system bounces back. 

For more information about Preschool Child Development, click here. 

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