Is Chiropractic Care Safe for Babies and Children?

Dr. Lily Fackrell
Jul 17
4 min read

When people hear the word "chiropractic," they often think of adults with back pain—but did you know chiropractic care can also benefit infants and children? As a parent, it’s natural to be protective of your child’s health and development. You may be wondering: Is chiropractic care safe for babies and children? The answer, when performed by a trained pediatric chiropractor, is yes—it's gentle, safe, and profoundly supportive for a child’s growing nervous system.

The Gentle Approach: What Does a Pediatric Adjustment Look Like?

Contrary to common perception, chiropractic adjustments for babies are not the same as those for adults. When caring for infants, we use the same light pressure you might use to test the ripeness of an avocado. There are no cracking or popping sounds—instead, adjustments are performed using precise, gentle pressure to help restore balance in the nervous system.

Why Do Babies and Children Need Chiropractic Care?

The journey into this world is beautiful—but it can also be physically stressful. Even in the smoothest of births, an infant's spine and nervous system may experience tension or misalignments (called subluxations) from the intense pressure of delivery. These imbalances can disrupt communication between the brain and body and may contribute to common issues such as:

Trouble latching or breastfeeding
Digestive discomfort or colic
Sleep difficulties
Excessive fussiness or irritability
Developmental delays or poor motor coordination

By gently removing interference in the nervous system, chiropractic care supports a child’s ability to regulate, grow, and thrive.

How a Healthy Nervous System Supports Developmental Milestones

Your child’s ability to roll, crawl, walk, speak, and emotionally connect doesn’t just “happen”—these milestones are guided by the nervous system’s development and integration. Each stage of growth builds on the last, requiring clear communication between the brain and body.

When the nervous system is functioning optimally, your child can process new experiences, adapt to their environment, and meet developmental milestones with more ease. But when stress, birth trauma, or subluxations disrupt that communication, it can lead to delays, tension, or challenges with movement, focus, behavior, or sleep.

At First Light Chiropractic, we gently assess the spine and nervous system using non-invasive INSiGHT™ scans and thorough exams to detect areas of imbalance. By restoring proper nerve flow through safe, specific chiropractic adjustments, we may help support the integration of reflexes, movement patterns, and sensory processing—setting the stage for lifelong health and development.

What Does the Science Say?

When it comes to pediatric chiropractic care, safety is a top concern for parents—and rightfully so. Fortunately, the current body of research shows that when performed by trained professionals, chiropractic adjustments for infants and children are gentle, specific, and overwhelmingly safe.

Literature Review on Adverse Events (Todd et al., 2015)

A comprehensive review published in the Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics examined over 30 articles documenting adverse events in children receiving care from chiropractors, physical therapists, osteopaths, and other manual therapists. Among the 15 serious events identified, the vast majority involved preexisting medical conditions or non-chiropractic providers. Importantly, no deaths were linked to chiropractic care, and most incidents occurred when high-force, inappropriate techniques were used. The study concludes that serious adverse events are extremely rare and emphasizes the importance of proper screening and gentle technique in pediatric care.

Victorian Government Public Inquiry (Australia, 2019)

In one of the largest public surveys to date, over 21,800 parents shared their experiences with chiropractic care for their children. The results?

99.7% of responses were positive,
And no serious injuries or harm were reported. This independent review highlighted that parents felt chiropractic care improved their child’s sleep, feeding, behavior, and general wellbeing—with high levels of trust and satisfaction in the chiropractors providing care.

Force Guidelines in Pediatric Chiropractic (Dr. Heidi Haavik)

Dr. Haavik’s research at Haavik Research and Chiros Hub reinforces that pediatric chiropractic adjustments are tailored for a child’s size and development. The force used is incredibly light—about the same pressure as checking the ripeness of an avocado (20–70 newtons). This is a fraction of the force used in adult adjustments and is specifically designed to be safe, non-invasive, and appropriate for newborns, infants, and children.

Supporting Lifelong Health from the Start

Your child’s nervous system is the foundation for every area of development—movement, digestion, behavior, emotional regulation, and immune response. Early support for the nervous system can help set the stage for lifelong health by enhancing the body's ability to adapt to the world around it.

At First Light Chiropractic and Family Wellness, we specialize in nervous system-based care for infants, children, and families. We use INSiGHT™ neuro scans to gently assess how stress is stored in the body and guide personalized care that evolves as your child grows.

Final Thoughts

So—is chiropractic care safe for babies and children? Yes, when delivered by a skilled, licensed provider, pediatric chiropractic care is a gentle, natural way to help your child’s body heal and develop optimally. We’re not here to fix or force—we’re here to support your child’s natural design to thrive.

If you're curious or want to know if care might help your baby or child, we’re here to answer your questions, provide clarity, and walk with you every step of the way.