Chiropractors have been providing compassionate care to infants and children for over a century - but the medically-proven benefits of chiropractic are well-attuned to relieving modern-day problems from conception and beyond.

For many children, their experiences with a chiropractor begin before they are even born. "Chiropractic has been shown to be effective in reducing Mom's labor pains, leading to quicker, less-painful births and less epidurals and cesarean sections," shares Dr. Chace Unruh, director of the Unruh Spine Center. "We treat many pregnant women in our office. Studies have shown - and our patients prove - that chiropractic care during pregnancy makes the process more comfortable and healthy for Mom and Baby."

"BACK PROBLEMS often take root when your child is in their formative years. Proper development is paramount for a long, healthy, pain-free life. When your child's structure is stressed at a young age, it starts the breakdown of corrective posture and alignment, which leads to much bigger problems - and often surgery - in the future. The GOOD NEWS is that your child's spine will usually respond much quicker to treatment than an adult's." ~ Dr. Kapil Moza, MD, neurosurgeon

"We love nothing more than meeting one of our 'littlest' patients for the first time!," says Dr. Unruh. "As babies grow, parents often turn to our office for help with their children's colic, ear infections and allergies. When they're school-age, then we see them again when the all-too-common sports injuries and falls occur, or when there's pain/posture problems stemming from sitting in an uncomfortable classroom chair, or the child is suffering from the negative ramifications of too-heavy school bags. What I want to convey, though, is that the best thing you can do to ensure the health and mobility of your child's spine is to schedule 'well visits' at least twice a year. Then we're able to catch problems before they really start impacting your child's quality of life. It should also be noted that pediatric chiropractic care is very gentle; most often we just use very light fingertip pressure and customize our treatment to the individual and their unique spine/cranium," says the doctor.

When should I take my Child to the Chiropractor?
"When clients come to us with concerns about their children, they are often taken aback - 'Chiropractic can help all of that?' It seems too good to be true. But when you realize that the nervous system is the key component to your - and your child's - health and wellbeing, and learn how an experienced chiropractor can ensure that your spine and nervous system are aligned for ultimate health and function, it's easy to see how chiropractic care can make such a markedly positive difference in the life of your child," explains Dr. Unruh.

Spinal disfunction has been linked to many common childhood disorders. These include:
• asthma
• scoliosis
• headaches
• bed-wetting
• colic/reflux
• growing pains
• regularly-occurring colds or sore throats
• ADHD
• constipation
• reoccurring ear infections
• back, hip or muscle pain

In addition, your child may display spinal problem issues if they:
• show a restriction in neck or head movement
• have one shoulder that appears higher than the other
• show signs of irregular or disturbed sleep patterns
The Unruh Spine Center is located at 23043 Lyons Avenue in Newhall. 288-0022 ww.unruhspinecenter.com

Injuries aren't the Only Cause of Stress on the Nervous System
Your son painfully wrenches his back while playing a neighborhood pickup game of basketball; your daughter burns the midnight oil studying for - and stressing over - a big exam.
Which one would benefit most from a trip to the chiropractor? The answer is "both." "One of the most common reasons a parent walks through our doors with their child is because they've incurred a physical injury. Of course, we are able to relieve pain, restore mobility and quicken healing in those situations - but we can't ignore that emotional and, perhaps, chemical stresses that are equally trying on your child's nervous system," says Dr. Unruh. "We encourage parents to bring their children in for a spinal check up not just for injuries, but to help restore balance to a system out of whack from heavy doses of adrenaline, lack of sleep, poor food choices and 'too much computer' posture."

Drug-free Allergy Relief is Nothing to Sneeze About!
Did you know that chiropractic can help reduce the severity and the frequency of your child's allergies? Chiropractic does not work like an anti-histamine, which offer only direct, short-term relief from allergy symptoms. Chiropractic allows your child's body to be better equipped to fight against allergies.

Allergies are a reaction by the immune system to an allergen (Substances that normally have no effect on people, resulting in sneezing, coughing, congestion, hives, rashes, and, in severe cases, seizure and anaphylactic shock.). These symptoms are caused by the histamines your child's immune system creates in an attempt to protect their body against the allergen.

When your child's spine is misaligned, it can impinge on the nervous system in their body. Studies have shown that the nervous system has an effect on the functionality of the immune system. When the nervous system is under stress and not functioning properly, your child's immune system cannot work at an optimal level. Chiropractors work with the nervous system by aligning the spine to relieve any stress on nerves. This allows the immune system to work at a higher level, making it easier to fight off infections while recognizing allergens. (Yes! Less allergies and less colds can be in your child's future!) When your immune system recognizes allergens, it will not overreact to them - or at least not react as severely to them.
Chiropractic care is covered by most insurance plans and is equally affordable for cash, check and credit card patients. Initial consultations are $79 and include a customized health assessment. Follow-up chiropractic appointments are $55. Save $24 when you mention the special found below. Call the Unruh Spine Center today to schedule convenient day, weekend and "after school" appointments. 288-0022 www.unruhspinecenter.com