Myth 5: “Chiropractic Isn’t Safe for Children”
Many parents worry that Chiropractic care might be too forceful, risky, or unnecessary for children, especially the very young. These concerns are understandable.
Let’s be clear: when provided by trained, registered Chiropractors using gentle, age-appropriate techniques, Chiropractic care for children is low-risk and well-tolerated (Misra et al., 2025).
Chiropractic care for children is not the same as adult care. Instead of high-force adjustments, paediatric Chiropractic uses:
- Light fingertip pressure
- Gentle mobilisation
- Soft movement techniques
- Low-force instrument adjusting
Our treatment methods are always tailored to the child’s size, level of development, and comfort.
Evidence from Families: What Parents Report
Let's talk about what real Aussie families are saying. In 2019, Safer Care Victoria conducted a comprehensive review in which nearly 22,000 parents and guardians of children under 12 who had seen a Chiropractor responded. The results were clear and overwhelmingly positive:
- 99.6% reported a positive experience with Chiropractic care for their child
- 98.35% indicated that their child improved after care
- The number of adverse events reported was extremely low, and no serious harm was ever identified in the Australian data set.
These figures show that, in practice, the overwhelming majority of parents perceive pediatric Chiropractic care as helpful and safe when delivered appropriately. Paediatric Chiropractic does not involve aggressive movements. Instead, care typically involves:
- Light fingertip pressure
- Gentle mobilisation
- Soft tissue and movement-based techniques
- Observation of posture, movement, and neurological development
The level of pressure used is not anything close to adult spinal adjustments.
Why Parents Choose Chiropractic for Their Children
Parents book their children in for Chiropractic care for many reasons:
- Postural Concerns
- Sleep Issues
- Neck or Back Tension
- Behavioural Challenges Developmental Support
- Colic and Digestive Discomfort
- ADHD, Anxiety and Irritability
In the Safer Care Victoria review, parents also emphasised that Chiropractors took the time to listen, assess, and explain, contributing to high levels of satisfaction and trust
How We Look After Children at Adjusting to Health
At Adjusting to Health, we deliver paediatric care with the same professional standards you've come to expect from us.
Our approach for children includes:
- Comprehensive intake and health history
- Age-appropriate clinical assessment
- Gentle techniques chosen specifically for each child
- Clear communication with parents
- Referral to other healthcare providers when appropriate
We do not use adult force levels on children. Every choice our Chiropractors make is guided by safety, research, and best practice, part of our Health Blueprint™ process.
Why Some People Still Doubt Safety
Some people simply haven't read enough into Chiropractic safety for children. It's so safe that it's meaningless to continue to delve deeper into this myth. We can safely let this one rest here. Chiropractic care is safe for children.
If you want your child's spine checked by our team of professionals simply click below.
References
Misra, S.M., Jaber, O. and Long, C. (2025) Chiropractic care in children: a review of evidence and safety, Clinical Pediatrics.
Safer Care Victoria (2019) Review of chiropractic care in children under 12 years, Safer Care Victoria public inquiry findings, Victoria, Australia.
