How we help
Careful assessment, the lightest touch we have, and honest answers, including when the honest answer is that your child needs someone else. A parent stays in the room for the whole appointment, every time.
What children are genuinely seen for is musculoskeletal. Back and neck pain in school-age kids, which is far more common than most parents expect. Sports injuries in active teenagers. A limp or a sore hip after a fall. Postural changes a parent or a school screening has picked up. Pain that is stopping a child doing what they normally do.
Just as important is what this page will not claim, because a lot of pages like it do the opposite. Chiropractic care for children is not a treatment for colic, reflux, ear infections, asthma, allergies, bedwetting, immunity, behaviour or development. There is not evidence to support those claims, making them is not permitted, and you will not hear them here.
The appointment starts with a proper history and examination, at a pace that suits your child's age. Murray watches how they move, examines the area of concern by hand, and screens for anything suggesting this is not a mechanical problem. Growing bodies present differently to adults, and some things that look musculoskeletal are not.
You will be told what was found in plain language, with your child in the room and included in the conversation where they are old enough to be. If care here is appropriate, technique for children is very light. It is not a scaled-down adult adjustment, the force involved is small, and nothing happens without explaining it to both of you first.
If your child's presentation is not musculoskeletal, or if anything about it is unusual, you will be referred to your GP or paediatrician. Persistent night pain, unexplained weight loss, fever alongside the pain, or a problem not behaving the way a mechanical one should are all reasons to get a medical opinion instead, and you will be told so directly.
A parent or guardian stays in the room for the whole appointment, every time. Consent is discussed with you, questions are welcome at any point, and if you would rather think about it before starting care, that is a completely reasonable thing to do and nobody here will push you.
More common than parents expect, and often related to bags, seating and screen time. Worth assessing rather than waiting out.
Active kids and teenagers who have hurt something and are not moving normally a week or two later.
An uneven shoulder or a changed standing posture noticed by a parent or at a school screening. See the scoliosis page for more.
Musculoskeletal complaints only: back pain, neck pain, sports and playground injuries, and postural concerns. Nothing outside that, whatever you may have read elsewhere.
No. There is not evidence for that and we do not make those claims. Those belong with your GP or paediatrician.
No. Technique for children is very light and adapted to their age and size. It is not a smaller version of an adult adjustment.
Yes, and you must. A parent or guardian is present for the whole appointment, every visit.
Most childhood back pain is mechanical, but some is not, which is exactly why it is worth having assessed properly. Night pain, fever or weight loss alongside it means seeing your GP.
Murray will discuss whether an appointment is appropriate for your child's age and what you are concerned about. Ring the practice and ask before booking if you are unsure.
A careful assessment and an honest answer, including if that answer is that they need someone else. Call (02) 9999 6491.
Related: scoliosis, sports chiropractic, pregnancy chiropractic.
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