Benefits of Pediatric Chiropractic Care

A study published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies examined medical records to better understand the effects of chiropractic care in school‑aged children.

This study used a retrospective case study design, meaning researchers analyzed existing data collected in the past. Such studies typically draw from medical records without a control group. They are useful for describing what a disease, treatment, or outcome looks like and for generating ideas for future research, though they do not conclude on causality.

Researchers reviewed records from 180 patients aged 5 to 18. Children were offered chiropractic care if teachers identified them as having a neurodevelopmental disability or delay, or if caregivers requested care for other health concerns. Not all children receiving care had a formal diagnosis. Each child received 12 weeks of chiropractic care in five‑minute sessions at an onsite school clinic. Students completed both subjective questionnaires and objective body scans to assess changes over time.

The results showed improvements in the “health and activity” section of the questionnaires, reflecting student‑reported gains in overall quality of life. Reductions in hyperactivity scores were also noted. However, no changes were observed in the heart‑rate scans, which track nervous system balance, or the skin‑temperature scans, which track blood flow changes).

These findings suggest that, while physiological measures did not change, students reported feeling better and more engaged in daily activities after receiving chiropractic care.