How Early is Too Early?

So how early is "too early" for a newborn to be adjusted? 

As soon as they have misalignment in their spine they are able to be adjusted.  There was a study done to assess the percentage of deliveries that resulted in trauma to the newborn's neck.  The researchers found that 12% of the babies born at that hospital, had demonstrable neck trauma.  If your child falls into that 12% the number is way to high. 

A simple check at the chiropractic office on the way home from the hospital, or the first trip out if you deliver at home, and you can set that newborn on the road to better health.  Chiropractor's who are trained to assess infant's spines for subluxation can easily let you know if there was any trauma done to your little one's spine.  If adjustments are needed we are also well equipped to start correcting the damage that was done and head off problems that may have been in store for him or her.

Definition of the Webster Technique

Below is the official definition of what the Webster Chiropratic Technique is (from the ICPA website):

Chiropractic care benefits all aspects of your body's ability to be healthy. This is accomplished by working with the nervous system--the communication system between your brain and body. Doctors of Chiropractic work to correct spinal, pelvic and cranial misalignments (subluxations). When misaligned, these structures create an imbalance in surrounding muscles and ligaments. Additionally, the resulting nerve system stress may affect the body's ability to function optimally.
Sacral misalignment causes the tightening and torsion of specific pelvic muscles and ligaments. It is these tense muscles and ligaments and their constraining effect on the uterus which prevents the baby from comfortably assuming the best possible position for birth. The Webster Technique is defined as a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment that reduces interference to the nerve system and facilitates biomechanical balance in pelvic structures, muscles and ligaments. This has been shown to reduce the effects of intrauterine constraint, allowing the baby to get into the best possible position for birth.
Dr. Larry Webster, Founder of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association discovered this technique as a safe means to restore proper pelvic balance and function for pregnant mothers. In expectant mothers presenting breech, there has been a high reported success rate of the baby turning to the normal vertex position. This technique has been successfully used in women whose babies present transverse and posterior as well. It has also successfully used with twins. Any position of the baby other than ROA may indicate the presence of sacral subluxation and therefore intrauterine constraint. At no time should this technique be interpreted as an obstetric, "breech turning" technique.
It is strongly recommended by the ICPA instructors of this technique that this specific analysis and adjustment of the sacrum be used throughout pregnancy, to detect imbalance and optimize pelvic biomechanics in preparation for safer, easier births. Because of the effect the chiropractic adjustment has on all body functions by reducing nerve system stress, pregnant mothers should have their spines checked regularly throughout pregnancy, optimizing health benefits for both the mother and baby.
The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association offers classes of instruction and issues its qualified attendees a Certificate of Proficiency in the Webster Technique. Only those doctors on our site maintain recognized certification status with the ICPA.

What is FICPA?

So, what does the FICPA stand for after my name? Good question. FICPA is the acronym for Fellowship in the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. The ICPA is a non-profit organization developed for the training of chiropractors and the promotion of chiropractic care for children and expectant mothers. They formed to provide doctors of chiropractic with the highest quality training to best equip them to care for children. To earn a fellowship standing with the ICPA, I attended an extra year of training (120 hours) and completed an evaluation of competency. This is often referred to as being a certified pediatric chiropractor. I then completed an additional 240 hours of training over 2 years with the ICPA. Check out the website for the ICPA at www.icpa4kids.org