What pediatric chiropractic care is, and is not
Children and teenagers get muscle and joint aches too. Heavy backpacks, growth spurts, long hours on devices, youth sports and the occasional tumble can all leave a young person with a sore neck, back or knee. Pediatric chiropractic care focuses on these musculoskeletal complaints.
Children are not small adults. Their bones are still growing, their joints are more flexible and their tissues heal differently. Care for young patients uses much lighter pressure and gentler techniques than adult care, and forceful adjustments are not appropriate for babies or young children.
Pediatric chiropractic care is not a treatment for childhood illnesses. It is not used to treat colic, ear infections, asthma, ADHD, bedwetting or other medical conditions, and it is never a substitute for your pediatrician, vaccinations or medical care. Your pediatrician remains your child's primary doctor.
Concerns that may be appropriate for care
After a pediatrician has ruled out medical causes, gentle chiropractic care may be considered for musculoskeletal concerns such as the following.
- Back and neck aches from backpacks and devices
- Carrying heavy bags on one shoulder or looking down at a phone for hours can strain young muscles. Gentle care and simple habit changes may help.
- Youth sports strains
- Active kids and teens can develop sore muscles and joints from training and games. Care often focuses on soft tissue work, mobility and sensible activity changes.
- Posture concerns in teens
- Slouching and rounded shoulders are common during the teen years. Exercises and ergonomic tips may help them sit and stand more comfortably.
- Minor bumps and falls
- After a doctor has ruled out a fracture or head injury, gentle care may help with lingering muscle stiffness from a minor fall.
- Growing pains in active teens
- Some aches around the knees and heels in active adolescents relate to how growing bones and muscles handle sport. Load management and stretching are usually central to care.
What to expect at your child's visit
Visits are meant to be calm, unhurried and explained in language your child can understand. Plan to stay in the room with your child for every visit.
History and pediatrician check
You share your child's health history, any recent illness or injury and what their pediatrician has said. If symptoms have not been checked by a physician, you may be asked to start there.
Gentle examination
Dr. Okhowat observes how your child stands, walks and moves, and checks for tender areas in a playful, low-pressure way. Any sign of a medical problem leads to a prompt referral.
Very light, adapted care
When care is appropriate, it uses light fingertip pressure, gentle mobilization, soft tissue work and stretches rather than adult-style adjustments. Your child can pause or stop at any time.
Simple home habits
You may leave with practical tips, such as backpack fit, screen breaks or a few age-appropriate stretches, so the visit supports good habits at home.
Potential benefits
Every child is different, and no outcome can be promised. For appropriate musculoskeletal concerns, gentle care may help in these ways.
- May ease everyday muscle and joint aches in active kids and teens.
- Can help young athletes understand how to warm up and recover.
- Offers practical posture, backpack and screen-time habits.
- Gives parents a careful second set of eyes on how their child moves.
- Provides a gentle, non-drug option alongside pediatric medical care.
Is this right for my child?
Gentle chiropractic care may be appropriate for older children and teens with musculoskeletal aches that a pediatrician has already evaluated. For infants and very young children, talk with your pediatrician first and keep any care extremely gentle and limited. Ask the office about the ages Dr. Okhowat sees.
Back pain in a young child is less common than in adults and deserves a medical look before any other care. Persistent pain, pain at night, or pain with other symptoms should always go to your pediatrician first.
Often a good fit
- A teen with neck or back aches from school, sports or devices
- Muscle soreness after a minor injury that a doctor has already checked
- Posture concerns you would like evaluated
- Your pediatrician is aware of and comfortable with chiropractic care
See a physician first
- Any fever in an infant under 3 months, or fever with a stiff neck at any age
- Unusual sleepiness, irritability, poor feeding or signs of dehydration
- A fall or injury with possible fracture or head injury
- Limping or refusing to bear weight on a leg
- Back pain in a young child, pain that wakes them at night, or pain with weight loss
- Weakness, numbness or changes in bladder or bowel control
- A spinal curve that seems to be getting worse during growth
If you have any of these, please see a physician or go to urgent care before booking. In an emergency, call 911.
How Dr. Okhowat approaches care for children
Dr. Omid Okhowat is a Doctor of Chiropractic from Cleveland Chiropractic College, licensed by the California State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, with more than 19 years of experience. He is a member of the California Chiropractic Association and the American Chiropractic Association.
His training as an AAIM Diplomate of the College of Manipulative and Body Based Practices includes a range of gentle, low-force hands-on methods, which matters when the patient is young. With children, the guiding principle is conservative care: the lightest approach, short sessions and a quick referral whenever something does not add up.
Families can expect clear explanations, your presence in the room and respect for your pediatrician's role. The office on Wilshire Boulevard is a short drive from Hancock Park. For teen athletes, care may connect with sports rehabilitation and injury prevention or postural and ergonomic training.
- DC, Cleveland Chiropractic College
- AAIM Fellow
- AAIM Diplomate, Manipulative and Body Based Practices
- Over 19 years of experience
Questions patients ask
Is chiropractic care safe for children?
For older children and teens with musculoskeletal aches, gentle, modified chiropractic care from a licensed provider is generally considered low risk. Infants and young children need special caution, and care should only follow a pediatrician's evaluation. Forceful adult-style adjustments are not appropriate for young children.
Can a chiropractor treat colic or ear infections?
No. Colic, ear infections, asthma, ADHD and similar conditions need care from your pediatrician. Chiropractic care for children focuses on muscle and joint complaints and is not a treatment for illness.
Will my child's spine be cracked?
Care for young patients uses very light pressure, gentle mobilization and stretching. Quick, forceful adjustments are not used on babies or young children, and teens can ask for gentle options at any point.
Do I need to stay in the room?
Yes. Please plan to stay with your child for every visit. You are welcome to ask questions or stop care at any time.
Should my child see a pediatrician first?
Yes, especially for babies, young children and any new or unexplained pain. A pediatrician can rule out medical causes. Chiropractic care, if appropriate, works alongside that medical care, not in place of it.
How heavy should a backpack be?
Pediatric guidance commonly suggests a loaded backpack weigh no more than about 10 to 20 percent of your child's body weight, be worn on both shoulders, and sit close to the back with the straps snug.
Can a chiropractor help my teen athlete?
Teens who play sports often develop muscle strains and overuse aches. Gentle care, along with guidance on warm-ups, rest days and strength work, may help. Sudden severe pain, swelling or a possible fracture needs a physician first.
What will my child feel during a visit?
Children typically feel gentle pressure or stretching. Visits are kept short and explained step by step, and children can pause whenever they want.