Carrie Steinweg Times correspondent

Dr. Michael Kehoe of Health from Within in Orland Park explains how chiropractic adjustments can help children with autism, ADHD and other special needs.

Pediatric chiropractic treatment is a specialized form of chiropractic care that focuses on assessing and adjusting the spine and nervous system of children. It involves gentle, safe adjustments performed by a specially trained pediatric chiropractor who understands the unique anatomy of children, said Dr. Matt Hammett, who with his wife, Dr. Trish Hammett, operates the New Family Life Chiropractic Center in Merrillville. The couple are also co-authors of the book "Inspire Chiropractic."

Dr. Michael Kehoe has been practicing at Health From Within in Orland Park for more than 5 years, the last twodedicating "ourselves to seeing more pediatrics and specializing in taking care of kids.

More specifically, we really specialize in taking care of what we call Perfect Storm' kidsautism, sensory processing disorder, ADHD, behavioral struggles, he said. Other common reasons parents seek out our help are for colic, sleep issues, constipation, diarrhea, immune struggles, chronic ear infections, asthma, headaches and allergies.

Kehoe said pediatric chiropractic focuses on optimizing the function of the central nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.

The nervous system (brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves) perceives our environment and then coordinates every action in the body, he explained. If our body and nervous system are holding on to too much stress and tension, that diminishes the body's capacity to adapt. And when we aren't adapting as well as we can, that's when symptoms start to appear.

Hammett noted that pediatric chiropractic can be beneficial for infants through adolescents. It can address a wide range of conditions, including musculoskeletal issues, developmental delays, sensory processing issues, ADHD, asthma, allergies, cranial asymmetries (flat head), tongue tie and more.

We see kids as young as days old, and every age above that. We see infants due to the fact that a high percentage of infants are born with physical strain to their spine, particularly the upper neck, said Kehoe. This is what can set the stage for a host of issues down the line.

And not all benefits are physical.

It can also contribute to a child's overall well-being and help them reach their full potential, said Hammett. It is vital for parents to do their own research and feel confident in their decision to pursue chiropractic care for their child.

Kristina Pop of Valparaiso has been a patient of the Hammetts for several years, who have treated every member of the family including four children ages 10, 8, 6 and 3.

Our four children look forward to their adjustments and know that Dr. Matt helps keep their bodies aligned, happy and healthy as they play and grow through childhood, said Pop.

Pop began seeing Hammett during her third pregnancy and then sought treatment for her daughter whod had an occasional twitch in her leg from being cramped in utero. She also brought her fourth child, a girl born with cephalohematoma, a usually harmless birth injury that causes blood to pool at the scalp.

We were told it would take up to three months to heal. She also had some difficulty breastfeeding. I brought her in to Dr. Matt at about a week old, and I wish I hadnt waited so long, said Pop. With his gentle care and regular visits, she was able to nurse comfortably and with ease immediately after her first adjustment and the cephalohematoma had completely resolved within a month.

Andrea Florer, a Valparaiso mother of four (ages 4, 9, 12 and 14), also has been a patient at New Life Family Chiropractic.

All of my children receive chiropractic care for overall health and wellness. Weve seen benefits for all my children even when they were small babies, she said. Chiropractic has helped with projectile vomiting when my son was under a year old. My 12-year-old was found to have his hip out of place from a hockey injury. My 14-year-old had adjustments after receiving a concussion from an ice skating fall, and my 9-year-old had adjustments to help alleviate neck pain from using his school laptop/tablet on a regular basis. They all enjoy the chiropractic adjustments and look forward to their visits.

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Pediatric chiropractic boosta physical, emotional well-being - The Times of Northwest Indiana