Gentle, safe chiropractic care designed specifically for children and teenagers - from infants to athletes.
Kids Have Spines Too - and Modern Life Is Hard on Them
Children today carry heavy backpacks, spend hours looking at screens, play competitive sports, and go through growth spurts that put rapid demands on a developing spine. Small spinal problems that go unaddressed in childhood often become significant adult conditions. Early evaluation and conservative care during the growth years is one of the most impactful investments you can make in your child’s long-term health.
Conditions We See in Young Patients
Backpack Posture & Tech Neck
Forward head posture from phones and laptops is affecting children as young as 8. Left uncorrected, it accelerates cervical disc degeneration and creates chronic pain patterns.
Youth Sports Injuries
Young athletes sustain the same spinal and soft-tissue injuries as adults – but in a still-developing skeleton. Early, appropriate care reduces long-term impact.
Scoliosis Screening & Monitoring
We screen for scoliosis and provide conservative care for mild-to-moderate curves. Early detection during growth phases gives the best outcomes.
Growing Pains
Rapid growth creates muscular and skeletal imbalances. What parents call growing pains often has a biomechanical component that responds well to gentle care.
Birth Trauma
The birth process places significant forces on the cervical spine. Some infants benefit from gentle assessment and treatment of upper cervical restriction, especially after difficult deliveries.
Headaches in Children & Teens
Many pediatric headaches have a cervical component – especially in teens with heavy screen use and poor posture. We treat the spinal source, not just the symptom.
Gentle Techniques for Every Age
Pediatric chiropractic care uses far lighter forces than adult care. For infants, adjustments use fingertip pressure – no more than you would use to check a tomato for ripeness. For older children, techniques are adapted to the stage of skeletal development. We explain everything to both parent and child, and nothing happens without full understanding and consent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is chiropractic safe for children?
Yes – when performed by a doctor trained in pediatric techniques. The forces used for children are a fraction of those used for adults.
How young can a child receive chiropractic care?
We treat newborns through teenagers. Infant evaluations are particularly gentle and focus on the upper cervical spine.
What are signs my child might need chiropractic care?
Persistent neck or back pain, one shoulder higher than the other, head always tilted to one side, frequent headaches, or reduced range of motion in the neck.
Do you screen for scoliosis?
Yes. We perform postural screening at every visit and can provide a more formal scoliosis assessment if parents have concerns.
Do I need a pediatrician referral?
No referral needed. However, we will communicate with your child’s pediatrician if there is any finding that warrants further evaluation.
Ready to Get Relief?
Call us today or request an appointment online. Same-day appointments are often available.
How we care for kids
Pediatric chiropractic is gentle. Really gentle
- Adjustments adapted to the child's age and size
- Pressure equivalent to testing a ripe tomato for infants
- Instrument-assisted adjusting (Activator) is common
- Parent always present during the visit
Why parents bring kids to us
- Colic and early feeding issues in infants
- Post-fall or sports-injury evaluation
- Posture and "tech neck" in older kids and teens
- Headaches (common, underdiagnosed in kids)
- Scoliosis monitoring and conservative care
- After a car accident. Kids often get missed in MVA evaluations
What our patients say
“My son was run over by a car a couple months ago and while his bones have healed he has been suffering from headaches and other muscle pain ever since. When I called McClean Chiropractic they worked him in that same day.”
. Ellen C., Google review
“Everyone is very nice. Dr. McClean answered any questions I had. I have even taken my son there when he was 8 months old and that really helped him feel better.”
. Alicia D., Google review
Pediatric chiropractic FAQ
There is no “too young”. We see newborns for birth-related tension and positional issues. Techniques are scaled to the child’s age; an infant adjustment is nothing like an adult adjustment.
Yes, when performed by a chiropractor trained in pediatric care. Adverse events are extremely rare in the pediatric literature when appropriate techniques are used.
For infants: light finger-tip pressure, often using sustained contact rather than any thrust. For older kids: scaled-down drop-table or activator adjusting. No popping or cracking for younger children.
Research on colic and chiropractic is mixed but promising. Many parents report improvement after a few visits. We’ll be honest about what we expect from care and won’t string you along if we’re not seeing progress.
Yes. Kids are often cleared at the ER because they don’t have the vocabulary for subtle symptoms and because pediatric whiplash is underdiagnosed. We do age-appropriate evaluation and imaging when warranted.
Yes. We do postural screening and X-ray when clinically indicated, and coordinate with a pediatric orthopedist if we find a curve that warrants specialist input.
Not the way adults often do. Most pediatric cases resolve in a handful of visits. We don’t sell lifetime care plans for kids.
Got a kid who needs care? Let's take a look.
Same-week appointments available. Insurance accepted. Let’s get you a real evaluation and a plan.
McClean Chiropractic · 385 N 500 W, Provo UT 84601
Related at McClean Chiropractic