Upper cervical chiropractic care in Mountlake Terrace is a specialized field within the general field of chiropractic care. As it is evident from the name, the focus of this alternative form of medicine is on the upper cervical area rather than the whole spine. The upper cervical area is crucial in regulating a number of essential neurological functions by focusing primarily on the top two bones of the spine-the axis and the atlas.

The axis and the atlas are responsible for about 50% of your head movements and sit at the union of the spine and the brain stem. They are also the structures in your spine that are most prone to misalignments. When affected, the axis and the atlas can result in serious hampering in the range of motion, cause disruptions in neurological function, and invite a number of ailments and chronic illnesses over time.

Contrary to popular belief, children are also quite prone to injuries originating in the upper cervical area. Therefore, upper cervical chiropractic care in Mountlake Terrace can be quite beneficial for them in a number of ways.

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How Could Upper Cervical Misalignments Occur in Children in Mountlake Terrace

Upper cervical issues might have come to be associated with old age or professional athletes, but children are equally prone to misalignments and subluxations of the upper spine. Below are some of the reasons that could lead to upper cervical misalignments in children.

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Birth Defects

Even if it's a natural birth, there are chances of head and neck areas sustaining pressure and stress leading to misalignments. The risk of misalignments is even greater if there were complications during childbirth where instruments were employed to extract the baby from the womb.  Moreover, other stressors such as new environments or different people picking the baby up incorrectly can put unnecessary pressure on the sensitive upper cervical and neck area and can ultimately lead to upper cervical misalignments early on in the child's life.

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Sports Injuries

There is a great chance that children will end up sustaining injuries on sports fields. Children are often not too particular about stretches or warm-ups that are imperative before going on the field. The sports injuries or subluxations in the upper spine area can go on unnoticed and develop into chronic issues such as restrictions in mobility later in their lives.

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Injuries and Trauma

Kids will try ridiculous things around the house when playing. Jumping on the stairs, skipping steps while climbing, or wrestling with their friends can all expose them to injuries and trauma which may even go unnoticed for long periods of time as these injuries are not as obvious as a cut or a bruise. However, these underlying injuries or traumas can cause issues in the future.

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Assault

Children can often get into fights or be victimized at the hands of a bully at school. Physical assault like this can also cause trauma or injuries to the neck or upper cervical area.

Since children are extremely prone to upper cervical misalignments, they can greatly benefit from upper cervical chiropractic care. The upper cervical chiropractic professional in Mountlake Terrace will ensure that extremely precise and gentle adjustments are made. Often, the subluxations in this area will measure in millimeters and require very gentle and precise adjustments to restore function. Upper cervical chiropractic doesn't employ any forceful pulling or twisting techniques which makes it extremely safe for children who might have sustained injuries or are suffering as a result of misalignments of the spine.

Furthermore, upper cervical care is provided as needed and typically it required less visits than traditional chiropractic care to correct the misalignment. Therefore, if you've ever noticed restrictions in range of motion or even just have that feeling that something just isn't right we would love to check your children, check out our professional services in Mountlake Terrace to correct any spine-related issues to help them live a more fulfilling life.