Pediatric Chiropractic in Sarasota
Informed health choices for your growing family.
Gentle, age-appropriate chiropractic checkups for babies, kids, and teens, from a dad who checks his own son every week.
Why more parents are asking about chiropractic
Parents today want to understand their options and make informed choices about their family’s health. A big part of that is the nervous system: it develops fast in the first years of life, and the spine is what protects it.
Think about what a child’s spine goes through: the birth process, tummy time, learning to crawl and walk, hundreds of falls, heavy backpacks, sports, and hours looking down at a screen. Kids bounce back fast, but their spines still take the load, and they can’t always tell you when something feels off.
Does this sound familiar?
- A baby who prefers turning their head to one side, or has trouble getting comfortable
- A toddler who’s always tripping or seems behind on balance
- A school-age kid with a slouch that’s getting worse
- A teen with headaches, neck pain, or text-neck posture
- Young athletes playing year-round
Gentle care for every stage
Babies
Birth and the first year are big events for a little spine. Checks are done with light fingertip pressure, often while your baby rests on your lap.
Kids
Crawling, walking, climbing, and falling are how kids learn. We check how their spine and balance are keeping up with all of it.
Teens
Sports, backpacks, growth spurts, and phones. We look at posture, movement, and screen for scoliosis-related changes.
What the research says about safety
Parents often ask us first about safety, and that’s the right question. Researchers have spent more than a decade studying chiropractic care for children, including large practice-based research networks that track real-world visits in family offices.
By the numbers: In one practice-based research survey, chiropractors reported 3 adverse events across 5,438 pediatric office visits, and parents reported 2 across 1,735 visits. No serious complications were reported. (Alcantara, Ohm & Kunz, Explore, 2009)
No form of care is risk-free, and every child is different. That’s why we start with a thorough exam, explain what we find, and only recommend care when the exam shows a reason for it.
How we find the cause: Alignment, Movement, Spinal Damage
Every new patient gets the same thorough starting point, adapted to your child’s age:
Alignment
Posture checks, balance, and stability testing to see how your child’s body is carrying itself.
Movement
Range of motion through the whole spine, plus how each segment moves on its own.
Spinal Damage & Development
Digital X-rays are sometimes appropriate for kids, especially when monitoring for scoliosis. We only take them when the exam gives us a clear reason to.
How we help kids and teens
Depending on your child’s age and exam, care may include:
- Gentle, specific adjustments sized to your child, often with no twisting or “popping” at all
- At-home spinal hygiene exercises for older kids and teens
- Pediatric orthotics for postural support when the exam shows a need
Learn more about Corrective Chiropractic Care →
Chiropractic as part of a family wellness lifestyle
A healthy spine is one piece of the bigger picture. We talk with parents about the everyday habits that may support a growing nervous system: sleep, active play, posture at the desk, screen time, and nutrition. If you want to read more, Pathways to Family Wellness magazine is a great resource for parents.
PLACEHOLDER – YOUR STORY: A few sentences as a dad on why you check your own son. – Dr. Alex
What to expect
Kids’ visits are short, calm, and hands-on with a parent in the room. Many kids look forward to them. As with adults, feeling better and being fully better aren’t the same thing, so we’ll lay out a clear plan after the exam and check progress along the way.
What our patients say
The best chiropractor!! My kids and I are so comfortable with Dr. Alex and his amazing team! We love Circadian!!!
★★★★★ Google review
Frequently asked questions
Is chiropractic safe for babies and kids?
Pediatric adjustments are very gentle, often about the pressure you’d use to check a ripe tomato, and every technique is adapted to your child’s age and size. Published survey research has reported side effects as rare and generally mild. We’re always happy to walk you through what we do and why before we do it.
What age can kids start?
Any age. We see newborns, toddlers, school-age kids, and teens.
Will my child’s back crack?
Usually not. Most pediatric techniques are gentle and quiet, with no twisting.
Can I stay in the room?
Yes. Parents are with their child for the exam and every visit. Babies are often checked right in a parent’s lap.
Do kids need X-rays?
Not routinely. We only take X-rays when the exam gives us a clear reason, such as monitoring for scoliosis.
Do you offer family pricing?
Call to speak with our team to ask about Family Specials.
Where are you located?
We’re at 5250 17th St, Unit 101, on the corner of 17th & Honore, centrally located between University and Fruitville and about 5 minutes from I-75 and UTC. We see families from Sarasota, Bradenton, and Lakewood Ranch.
Ready to find out what’s going on?
Your child’s first visit includes a full consultation and an age-appropriate exam, so you leave knowing exactly where they stand.
Related: Wellness Chiropractic · Sports Injuries · Posture · Headaches