254-681-1544
Chiropractic is for the whole family
Dr. Nixon is a well-rounded Family Practice Chiropractor. Her youngest patient (other than her own kids) was just a few hours old at the time of his first adjustment and her oldest is 95.
Specialties
- Pediatric chiropractic care.
- Maternity chiropractic care.
- Chiropractic care for sports injuries.
- Wellness/ Preventative chiropractic care.
- Pain management.
Contact us and make an appointment today!
Is it safe to go to a chiropractor while pregnant?
Not only is it safe to visit a chiropractor during your pregnancy, it’s also highly beneficial. All chiropractors are specially trained to treat pregnant women, but you may want to do a little research and find one who specializes in prenatal or perinatal care. Getting regularly adjusted while pregnant is a great way to relieve the added stress on your spine that comes along with the weight gain. It can also prevent sciatica, the inflammation of the sciatic nerve that runs from your lower back down through your legs and to your feet. It’s also important to maintain pelvic balance, which is oftentimes thrown off as your belly grows and your posture changes.
Besides making you feel better during pregnancy, getting regular chiropractic adjustments can also help control morning sickness, prevent a potential problems which may lead to unwanted C-Section and has even been linked to reducing the amount of time women spend in labor.
What if me and my kids are “healthy”?
In the mind of many adults kids are “healthy” if they aren’t complaining of pain, ear infections, or a sore throat. Having no pain does not equal health and just because you may have pain doesn’t mean that you aren’t healthy! Many spinal problems seen in adults began as early as birth. As the child begins to participate in regular childhood activities small yet significant spinal misalignments may occur. If neglected, the injuries during this period of rapid growth may lead to more serious problems later in life. Subtle trauma throughout childhood will affect the future development of the spine leading to impaired nervous system function. Any interference to the vital nerve system will decrease the body’s ability to function at 100%.
Dr. Nixon in the Community
Dr. Nixon wants to introduce herself to you, and have a chance to talk to you about problems that are common in children, especially those involved in high intensity/ high impact activities. Dr. Nixon is also available and willing to come at a pre- scheduled time, to your location, and perform screenings on the children who participate at your facility, with the permission of the child’s parent. This is a service that Dr. Nixon does at her expense. That’s right!!! That means no fee to the facility, and no fee to the parent!
Scoliosis and Chiropractic Care
The primary age of onset for scoliosis is 10-15 years old, occurring equally among both genders. However, females are eight times more likely to progress to a curve magnitude that requires treatment. www.scoliosis.org Dr. Nixon Says: Having your child checked in school may not be enough. There are many changes that can occur in a child’s posture that could be an indicator of a problem that aren’t revealed with the common school screening. Chiropractors are the experts on posture. A quick check of your child will only take a few minutes. It is important to mention that scoliosis is the side to side curvature of the spine that is greater than 9 degrees. If these postural alterations are caught early (when curvature is between 1-8 degree) “scoliosis” can be prevented all together. Scoliosis may be evident in young athletes, with a prevalence of up to 24%. The highest rates are observed among dancers, gymnasts, and swimmers. The scoliosis may have been due in part to loosening of the joints, and stresses on the growing spine. Journal of Pediatrics 1998; 132 (1) Jan: 22–27 Dr. Nixon Says: In sports and activities where flexibility is encouraged muscles, tendons, and ligaments are stretched to allow for this flexibility. Unfortunately, the body, as amazing as it is, cannot distinguish that we only want some muscles to be stretched and that the others should remain tight. Therefore, when we stretch many muscles are involved and this can lead to the “loosening of the joints” that the Journal of Pediatrics talks about. What Are the Signs of Scoliosis? The head may not be exactly centered over the pelvis. One shoulder may be higher than the other. One shoulder blade may be higher or more prominent than the other. With the arms hanging at the side, there may be more space between the arm and the body on one side. One hip may appear to be higher or more prominent than the other. The head may not be exactly centered over the pelvis When the patient is examined from the rear and asked to bend forward until the spine is horizontal, one side of the back may appear higher than the other. This test, called the Adams test, is a very sensitive test for only one kind of scoliosis. srs.org Dr. Nixon Says: I will check any child, any time complimentary to you. If you would like to have a child checked please email Back in Motion Chiropractic to schedule a time. I will also check groups of children. If your child is involved in a group activity and you think there may be other parents who wish to also have their child checked I can come to you!
Frequently Asked Questions About Pediatrics
1. Is chiropractic appropriate for children?
Yes. Chiropractic’s drugless and preventive approach to good health makes it perfectly appropriate for infants, children, and teenagers. Chiropractic is licensed in all 50 states of the U.S. for the care of children of all ages.
2. How safe is chiropractic for a child?
Chiropractic is one of the safest forms of children’s health care. A chiropractor does not adjust a baby or a child the same way as he or she adjusts an adult. A baby’s spine is very supple during the first few months of life, so the doctor of chiropractic applies only a slight pressure to make an adjustment. For older children whose spine is still made of mainly cartilage, slight pressure followed by a gentle push is all that is required to put the vertebra back in place.
3. When should I take my child to a chiropractor?
When you want to give your child a head start in good health and all the benefits of a conservative, drugless approach to health care, you should take your child to a chiropractor. It is important to have a chiropractic exam during the first year of a child’s life as spinal trauma can occur during birth, as well as from tumbles while learning to sit up or walk. Improper lifting and carrying can also contribute to spinal stress. Your child’s spine grows almost 50% in length during the first year. This is equivalent to a six-footer growing to nine feet in just 12 months! It’s this kind of tremendous growth and developmental changes which make a complete chiropractic examination so important in the early stages of a child’s life. If there is a problem, the earlier it is corrected the less likelihood there is of it becoming a chronic or more serious problem later in life.
4. How effective is chiropractic care for children?
Chiropractors have been providing safe and effective care for children for more than 115 years. Without efficacy, parents would have long ceased to seek out a doctor of chiropractic for their children. A 1992 survey showed that the most common conditions for which children visit a chiropractor are: earaches, neck pain, check-up, headache, upper respiratory, low back pain, allergies, asthma, bed wetting, and thoracic pain. Other reasons are colic, torticollis, growing pains, and persistent crying in infants.
5. How can chiropractic care help an older child who is not ‘sick’?
Chiropractors do not treat diseases, they help to correct spinal misalignments that can cause health problems. Through regular adjustments, counseling on proper nutrition, exercise, and posture, the chiropractor can help you raise a child who is structurally and functionally sound. The number one “illness” in children is accidents. You may not realize it, but youngsters take numerous tumbles — learning to ride a bike, or even just jumping and running around. If your child takes part in athletic activities, the “sack” of a quarterback could twist a young spine, swinging a gold club or even pitching a ball can throw a vertebra out of alignment. These underlying injuries, if left uncorrected, can cause serious problems as the child grows into adulthood. Doctors of chiropractic can do more than correct these problems. They can also help improve performance on and off the field by helping the body to function at its optimum level, naturally, and without drugs.
6. What if my child has a health problem that does not respond to chiropractic care?
Doctors of chiropractic are trained to recognize complex health problems. Their primary obligation is the welfare of the child. It is Dr. Nixon’s position that when I reach the limits of my skill and authority I am “ethically and morally bound to make patient referrals to practitioners in other fields of healing when such referrals are necessary to provide the highest quality of patient care.”
7. There are so many different health specialists today, who is responsible for the health of my child?
You are. As a parent or guardian you must take responsibility for your child’s health and use your best judgment as to what is most appropriate for your child. Fortunately, there are some outstanding primary health care providers to help you make your decision, including your doctor of chiropractic, pediatrician, and dentist. These professionals should make up your child’s personal health care team.
8. Do all Doctors of Chiropractic care for children? How do I choose?
All chiropractic schools have required courses in pediatrics. Doctors of Chiropractic are also licensed in all 50 states of the US to provide chiropractic care to children and adults. However, there are chiropractors who take postgraduate courses in pediatrics after graduation because they want to specialize in this field. Since all chiropractors are licensed to care for children, there are many doctors of chiropractic who see children in their practice on a regular basis. When you choose a DC look for a Doctor who is in family practice and has experience in caring for children.