Pediatric and Chiropractic in Calgary

Supporting Your Child’s Nervous System Development

caring-for-you-like-family Chiropractic wellness knows no age. Memorial Drive Chiropractic and Massage is the proud home of pediatric chiropractic care, tailor-made for even the smallest members of your family—from newborns just hours old to teenagers and beyond.

Pediatric chiropractic care is a safe and natural approach to supporting your child’s nervous system development and adaptive capacity. Learn how our gentle chiropractic techniques may help your child thrive.

Understanding Your Child’s Adaptive Capacity

Children’s bodies are constantly growing and changing. Just like a young sapling tree that grows around obstacles in its path, children’s bodies adapt to stresses and challenges they encounter. The difference is that a young, pliable tree can straighten much more easily when the obstacle is removed compared to a mature tree with hardened bark.

Similarly, addressing nervous system challenges early in life—when your child’s body is still developing its patterns—is much more effective than waiting until these patterns have become firmly established in adulthood.

The First Subluxation

Your child’s first spinal stress can occur during birth itself. Additional challenges may come from:

Learning to hold up their head
Learning to sit
Taking their first steps
Falls and tumbles
Being picked up
Diaper changes
Everyday play activities

Children quickly learn to adapt to any discomfort they experience, often without expressing it verbally. Using our Insight Millennium scan technology, we can objectively measure how well your child’s nervous system is adapting to these stresses, often identifying challenges before they develop into noticeable symptoms.

Gentle, Age-Appropriate Care

Our practice specializes in gentle chiropractic approaches suitable for children of all ages. Dr. Wagemakers uses techniques specifically modified for your child’s size, weight, and developmental stage:

For Infants: Extremely light pressure—often described as the same pressure you’d use to check if a tomato is ripe
For Toddlers: Playful, engaging adjustments that feel more like a tickle
For School-Age Children: Gentle techniques that build trust and comfort
For Teenagers: Age-appropriate care that respects their growing independence

These gentle adjustments help improve nervous system function without any cracking or popping sounds that might be concerning to children or parents.

The Child’s Experience

Many parents are surprised at how much their children enjoy chiropractic visits. In fact, in families who receive regular care, children often race to be the first one adjusted! Our child-friendly environment helps create positive associations with wellness care from an early age.

For children with special concerns or those who might be apprehensive, Dr. Wagemakers takes extra time for phone consultations before the first visit and creates a comfortable, unhurried experience tailored to your child’s needs.

Supporting Overall Development

By enhancing your child’s nervous system function through gentle chiropractic care, we help support their body’s natural ability to:

Adapt to their rapidly changing physical development
Navigate learning challenges by removing physical stressors that help improve focus
Process sensory information more effectively by improving proprioception
Develop proper coordination and proprioception (body awareness)
Recover quickly from the bumps and falls of childhood

Regular check-ups with the Insight Millennium technology allow us to monitor your child’s progress and adapt our approach as they grow and develop.

FAQs

At what age can my child begin receiving chiropractic care?

Children can receive chiropractic care from birth—even within hours after delivery. Dr. Wagemakers has provided care for newborns through adults of all ages. The techniques used are extremely gentle and specifically adapted to your child’s size and development stage.

Is chiropractic care safe for children?

Yes, pediatric chiropractic care is very safe when performed by a properly trained chiropractor. Dr. Wagemakers uses extremely gentle techniques appropriate for your child’s age and size. The pressure used for infant adjustments is often compared to checking the ripeness of a tomato—just enough to make a positive change without any discomfort.

How long are pediatric appointments?

The initial consultation may be slightly shorter for children than adults, as Dr. Wagemakers understands that children may not want to sit still for extended periods. For families with complex cases, we offer phone consultations before the first appointment to gather information and streamline the in-office experience. Regular visits are typically brief and efficient.

Is pediatric chiropractic covered by insurance?

Yes, pediatric chiropractic care is typically covered by insurance when your child is included on your family plan. Our office can verify coverage and assist with insurance paperwork to make the process simple for your family.

How do I know if my child needs chiropractic care?

Rather than waiting for symptoms to appear, consider chiropractic care as part of your child’s wellness routine. Our Insight Millennium scans can identify how well your child’s nervous system is adapting to stress, often before noticeable symptoms develop. This proactive approach supports your child’s natural development and adaptive capacity.

How is pediatric chiropractic different from adult care?

Pediatric chiropractic uses extremely gentle, modified techniques appropriate for a child’s size and development stage. Dr. Wagemakers approaches children with special consideration for their comfort and understanding, often making the experience feel more like play than a medical procedure. The underlying focus remains the same—enhancing nervous system function—but the approach is tailored specifically for children.

Help Your Child Flourish

Early support for your child’s nervous system function can establish patterns of optimal adaptation that benefit them throughout life. Rather than waiting until patterns become firmly established, consider how pediatric chiropractic care can help your child’s nervous system develop with fewer interferences.

Our practice welcomes you and your little loved ones to experience how chiropractic care can support your child’s natural development and adaptive capacity. Contact us to learn more and schedule your child’s consultation.
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