Pediatric Care

Yes, pediatric chiropractic care is considered safe when performed by a licensed chiropractor trained in working with children. The techniques used on kids are very different from adult adjustments. For an infant, the pressure used is similar to what you would use to test the ripeness of a tomato, often just a fingertip touch. For older children, adjustments are gentler, shorter, and tailored to a growing spine. A large review published in the journal Chiropractic and Manual Therapies looked at pediatric chiropractic safety and found that serious adverse events are rare, with most reported reactions being mild and temporary, like brief soreness or fussiness for a few hours. The American Chiropractic Association also recognizes pediatric care as a routine part of chiropractic practice when delivered by trained providers. At our Tracy office, every pediatric visit starts with a full history and exam. We ask about birth, milestones, sleep, digestion, sports, and any falls or accidents. If we see anything outside our scope, like signs of an infection, fracture, or neurological red flag, we refer out to your pediatrician right away. Chiropractic is not a replacement for your child's regular medical care, it works alongside it. A few safety points we always share with Tracy parents: - Ask if the chiropractor has post-graduate training in pediatrics - Expect very light pressure, not the popping cracks you may have had as an adult - Your child should never be afraid or in pain during a visit - You stay in the room the entire time If you want to meet the team first, you can learn more about [Dr. Garrido](/doctors/dr-garrido) or visit our [Tracy location page](/locations/tracy) to see the office before booking.

There is no minimum age for chiropractic for kids. Babies can be checked within the first few days of life, and we regularly see newborns, toddlers, school-age children, and teens at our Tracy, Mountain House, Manteca, and Ripon offices. The technique simply changes based on the age and size of the child. For infants under one year, we use sustained light contact and gentle cranial work. For toddlers and preschoolers, we use a small handheld instrument or fingertip adjustments. By the time kids are school-age and active in sports, we may use slightly firmer techniques, but still far lighter than adult care. You can read more about our methods on the [chiropractic techniques page](/services/chiropractic-techniques). Common ages and reasons parents bring kids in: - **Newborn to 6 months:** neck or jaw tension that may contribute to feeding difficulty (co-managed with pediatrician and lactation consultant), head turning preference, colic, torticollis - **6 to 18 months:** delayed crawling, falls during walking - **2 to 5 years:** frequent tumbles, posture - **6 to 12 years:** backpack posture, scoliosis screening, sports starts - **13 to 18 years:** youth athlete care, growth-related pain, tech neck The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes that spinal manipulation in children is generally well tolerated when performed by trained clinicians. Still, we never push families into care. If your child only needs one or two checkups a year, that is what we recommend. If a teen athlete needs weekly support during football season, we build that plan instead. Many Tracy families first come in because a parent is already a patient and wants their kids checked after a fall from a bike on the Mountain House trails or a rough soccer practice at a local park. That is a great reason to schedule a screening.

The evidence on chiropractic care for colicky infants is mixed and still being studied. Some small studies, including a randomized trial published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, reported reduced crying time, but systematic reviews note the overall evidence is low quality and inconclusive. Chiropractic is not a treatment for colic itself, but gentle care may address musculoskeletal tension in the upper neck and mid-back that sometimes accompanies fussiness in newborns. Colic is generally defined as crying more than three hours a day, three days a week, for at least three weeks in an otherwise healthy baby. It is exhausting for the whole family. Before assuming chiropractic is the answer, we always recommend ruling out reflux, food sensitivities, and feeding issues with your pediatrician first. When parents bring a colicky baby to our Tracy office, a typical visit looks like this: 1. Detailed history of pregnancy, birth, feeding, and sleep 2. Gentle hands-on exam while baby is held by the parent 3. Light fingertip contacts at the base of the skull, mid-back, and pelvis 4. Home suggestions for tummy time, carrying positions, and sleep setup Visits are short, often 10 to 15 minutes, and most babies sleep through them. We usually reassess after two or three visits. If we are not seeing meaningful improvement in crying, sleep, or feeding, we tell you honestly and refer you back to your pediatrician or a lactation consultant. If you are a new parent in Tracy or Mountain House dealing with a fussy baby, you can also explore our [prenatal chiropractic services](/services/prenatal-chiropractic), which many moms continue postpartum while bringing baby in for checks.

Yes, we offer scoliosis screening for kids at all four Valley Chiropractic offices, and we recommend it especially during growth spurts between ages 10 and 15. Early detection matters because scoliosis curves can progress quickly during puberty, and catching them early gives families more treatment options. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends screening girls at ages 10 and 12 and boys once around age 13 or 14. A screening at our Tracy office takes about 15 minutes and includes: - Adam's forward bend test to check for rib hump or asymmetry - Postural photos to compare shoulder and hip levels - Leg length check - Range of motion testing - Scoliometer reading if asymmetry is found If we measure a curve that needs imaging, we refer for X-rays and coordinate with your pediatrician or an orthopedist. Chiropractic does not straighten a structural scoliosis curve, but it can help with the muscle tension, posture imbalance, and back pain that often come with it. For families dealing with diagnosed curves, our [scoliosis service page](/services/scoliosis) has more detail on what we can and cannot do. Tracy and Mountain House have a lot of growing families, and we see kids whose school screenings missed early changes. Backpack habits matter too. Many local middle schoolers carry overloaded bags between classes, and we often spot asymmetry from one-shoulder carrying. A simple switch to a two-strap pack worn high can make a real difference. If you have noticed one shoulder higher than the other, a tilted waistline, or a parent or sibling with scoliosis, schedule a screening. It is quick, painless, and gives you peace of mind during the fastest growing years of your child's life.

A youth athlete chiropractic plan focuses on preventing injury, supporting recovery, and helping young athletes move well as their bodies change. Tracy and Ripon have strong youth sports communities, from Little League and Pop Warner football to club soccer and high school cross country. The repetitive motions and growth spurts that come with youth sports can lead to imbalances, strains, and overuse injuries if no one is paying attention. Common issues we treat in young athletes: - Sever's disease (heel pain in runners and soccer players) - Osgood-Schlatter (knee pain in growing jumpers) - Little League shoulder and elbow - Low back tightness in gymnasts and cheerleaders - Ankle sprains and recurring rolls - Post-concussion neck stiffness (always co-managed with a physician) Research summarized by the CDC's HEADS UP program emphasizes that young athletes recover differently than adults and need conservative, gradual return-to-play plans. We follow that principle. Our approach combines gentle adjustments, soft tissue work, and movement coaching. For specific complaints, we may also recommend [extremity care](/services/extremity-care) or [sports injury support](/services/sports-injury). A typical plan for a youth athlete includes: 1. Movement screen at the start of the season 2. Tune-up visits every two to four weeks during the season 3. Targeted care after any fall, collision, or new pain 4. Off-season work on mobility and weak links 5. Parent and coach communication on training load We never push a young athlete to play through pain. If something looks like a fracture, growth plate injury, or concussion, we refer to the right specialist immediately. Our goal is to keep kids in the sports they love while protecting the joints and spines they will use for the next 70 years. If your child is dealing with a current injury, you can also read about our [head and neck pain care](/pain/head-neck) or [lower back pain treatment](/pain/lower-back).

Your child's first pediatric visit at our Tracy office takes about 30 to 45 minutes and is built around making your child comfortable. Parents stay in the room the whole time, and we keep the language and tone kid-friendly. No surprises, no pressure, no scary equipment. Here is what to expect: 1. **Intake paperwork:** birth history, milestones, injuries, current symptoms, sports, and school. You can fill this out at home before arrival. 2. **Conversation:** we talk with you and your child about what is going on. Older kids are encouraged to describe their own symptoms. 3. **Exam:** posture check, range of motion, gentle hands-on assessment, neurological screening, and scoliosis check if age-appropriate. 4. **Findings:** we explain what we found in plain language, including anything we want to refer out. 5. **First adjustment (if appropriate):** light, brief, and only with your consent and your child's comfort. 6. **Home plan:** stretches, posture tips, backpack adjustments, sleep position suggestions. We see families from across the Tri-Valley, including Mountain House commuter families who book after-school appointments and Manteca parents who come on weekends. You can find directions and hours on the [Tracy](/locations/tracy), [Mountain House](/locations/mountain-house), [Manteca](/locations/manteca), and [Ripon](/locations/ripon) location pages. A few tips to help the visit go smoothly: - Bring a comfort item for younger kids (stuffed animal, blanket) - Dress your child in comfortable clothes they can move in - Feed infants before the appointment when possible - Bring any imaging or pediatrician notes if scoliosis or injury is involved - Skip the long explanation in the car, just say "we are going to meet a doctor who helps your back move better" If you have insurance questions before booking, our [insurance FAQ](/faq/insurance) covers what most local plans include for pediatric chiropractic. We are happy to verify benefits before your first visit.