Kids aren't small adults, and a pediatric exam shouldn't be treated like a scaled-down version of an adult one. Gonstead technique adapts the same five-part exam framework — visualization, instrumentation, static and motion palpation, X-ray analysis when indicated, and full case management at every visit — to account for a spine that's still growing.
Visualization looks for the same kinds of postural and gait clues as in adults, adjusted for a child's developmental stage. Instrumentation with the Nervoscope is non-invasive and generally well-tolerated by kids, since it involves no needles or pressure. Palpation is adapted to be gentler, appropriate for smaller joints and developing tissue.
Imaging decisions for kids are made carefully and conservatively, weighing the clinical value of imaging against a child's greater radiation sensitivity compared to an adult — this is discussed directly with parents on a case-by-case basis, and imaging is used only when it meaningfully changes the exam findings or plan.
Adjustments themselves, when indicated, use significantly less force than an adult adjustment — appropriate for smaller, still-developing joints. Common reasons parents bring kids in include bedwetting, growing pains, recurring sprains, and general concerns about posture or nervous system regulation during growth spurts. Pediatric care is co-managed with the practice's nurse practitioner when appropriate, so a child's care isn't siloed from broader pediatric health needs.
Read more: pediatric Gonstead chiropractic care, the Gonstead exam process.
Frequently asked questions
Is chiropractic adjustment safe for children?
Pediatric adjustments use substantially less force than adult adjustments and are based on the same exam-driven approach — findings guide whether an adjustment is appropriate at all.
Will my child need an X-ray?
Not automatically. Imaging decisions for children are made conservatively, weighing clinical value against radiation exposure, and discussed directly with parents.
What conditions do you see in pediatric patients?
Common reasons include bedwetting, growing pains, recurring sprains, and general posture or nervous system concerns during growth. Acute pediatric illness is co-managed with our nurse practitioner when appropriate.
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