As a parent, your greatest wish is to see your child happy, healthy, and thriving. While this journey is full of joy, it can also bring uncertainty, especially when your little one struggles with colic, sleepless nights, or recurring earaches. You may be looking for a natural, non-invasive way to support their developing body.
For many families in Hershey, PA, and the surrounding communities, the answer is gentle pediatric chiropractic care. This approach isn't just about managing symptoms; it's about ensuring your child's nervous system—the master communication network for their entire body—functions optimally. It’s proactive support that helps build a foundation for a lifetime of good health. If you've been searching for a "pediatric chiropractor near me," you've come to the right place.
Your Local Partners in Pediatric Health
At Hershey Family Chiropractic, we understand your desire for compassionate, expert care from a chiropractor in Hershey, PA. Our doctors—Dr. Jennifer Davis, Dr. Jenifer Epstein, and Dr. Leanne Tressler—are not only highly skilled practitioners but also parents themselves. We are deeply invested in the well-being of our community's youngest members. Our goal is to provide a warm, welcoming space where your child feels safe and you feel heard.
We’ve seen how a gentle, specific touch can make a world of difference. This growing trust is reflected nationwide, as an increasing number of parents turn to chiropractic as a key part of their children's wellness strategy. In fact, an estimated 30 million pediatric visits are made to chiropractors in the United States each year, highlighting the significant role this care plays in children's health.
A healthy, clear nervous system is the foundation for a healthy childhood. By removing even minor interferences, gentle chiropractic adjustments allow a child's body to grow, adapt, and heal exactly as it was designed to.
Of course, professional care is just one piece of the puzzle. Many parents also look for other ways to foster well-being, like by choosing the right book on health for your child to encourage healthy habits from an early age. Our practice believes in supporting your family's entire health journey, inside and outside our office walls.
To help you get started, we've put together a helpful resource on how to find a pediatric chiropractor near me. Whether your goal is to address a specific concern or simply give your child the strongest possible start in life, our Hershey team is here to help.
How Gentle Adjustments Support Your Child's Development
To understand what pediatric chiropractic care is all about, it helps to think of your child's nervous system as the body's internal command center. This incredible network—made up of the brain, spinal cord, and all the nerves—sends billions of messages every second, coordinating everything from breathing and digestion to how your child moves and heals.
From day one, a child’s journey is packed with physical events that can create tiny "traffic jams" on this superhighway. The birthing process, learning to crawl and walk, tumbles at the playground, or even sitting in a car seat can all introduce subtle stress to their developing spine. We call these tiny misalignments vertebral subluxations, and they can interfere with the smooth flow of information between the brain and the body.
The primary goal of pediatric chiropractic care is to gently find and clear these interferences. It’s not about chasing a specific symptom, but about restoring the body's incredible, built-in ability to function, heal, and grow as it should.
The Power of a Gentle Touch
When parents in Hershey first hear "adjustment," they often think of the techniques used for adults. But a pediatric adjustment is completely different—it’s tailored to a child's delicate and growing body.
A pediatric adjustment involves no more pressure than you would use to test the ripeness of a tomato. It is a light, specific, and gentle touch designed to restore proper motion and nervous system function.
Our doctors at Hershey Family Chiropractic use just their fingertips to apply this light pressure. Often, this happens while a baby is resting peacefully in a parent’s arms or a toddler is busy playing. It’s so gentle that many infants sleep right through their adjustments, and older kids often find the experience calming and comfortable.
This gentle approach is focused on one thing: clearing communication pathways so your child's body can do what it's designed to do—grow, thrive, and express its full potential.
The infographic below shows how this focus on wellness connects to some of the most important areas of a child’s health.
As you can see, a well-functioning nervous system is at the core of childhood wellness, directly influencing sleep, digestion, and overall development.
Supporting Foundational Growth and Milestones
A clear and connected nervous system is the foundation for healthy development. When a child's spine is properly aligned and the nervous system is free of interference, their body is better equipped to adapt and grow. This support is crucial as they move through their most formative years.
By ensuring proper spinal alignment, pediatric chiropractic care helps remove roadblocks in your child's nervous system. This allows them to better reach their full potential and supports optimal physical and neurological growth, which can be a huge help as they navigate their way through understanding key childhood development milestones.
Here at Hershey Family Chiropractic, our care is all about helping your child build a strong foundation for lifelong health by supporting their body’s natural processes. We believe in proactive wellness that starts from day one.
How Chiropractic Can Help With Common Childhood Conditions
Many parents in Hershey find our office after feeling like they’ve tried everything. A baby who cries for hours, a toddler with another ear infection, or a newborn struggling with feeding—these challenges can bring incredible stress to the family. Chiropractic care offers a new perspective by addressing the root cause, often an interference in the nervous system, rather than just chasing symptoms.
At Hershey Family Chiropractic, our focus is on restoring clear communication between your child's brain and body. By correcting subtle spinal misalignments—which can happen during birth or from minor tumbles—we can help ease tension and get things working smoothly again. This often brings noticeable relief from some of the most frustrating childhood conditions.
Relief for Colic and Reflux
Parents of a colicky baby know the helpless feeling during those hours of inconsolable crying. While the exact cause of colic often feels like a mystery, it’s frequently tied to an immature or irritated digestive system. A baby's nervous system is the control center for the stomach and intestines.
Gentle chiropractic adjustments can help calm this overstimulated system. For a baby who has gone through physical stress during birth, a misalignment in the upper neck or mid-back can create nerve interference that disrupts digestion. A light, specific adjustment releases this tension, often leading to a happier, more comfortable baby and a much quieter, more peaceful home. Many parents in the Hershey community have been amazed to see their baby's fussiness, gas, and reflux symptoms improve after just a few gentle sessions.
Supporting Children with Chronic Ear Infections
For many kids, recurring ear infections are a painful and common part of growing up. The problem often comes down to the Eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the back of the throat. When these tubes can’t drain properly because of fluid buildup or inflammation, it creates the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive.
Gentle adjustments to the upper neck can make a huge difference. Proper alignment helps the tiny muscles that open and close the Eustachian tubes function better, promoting proper drainage. By restoring this natural mechanism, chiropractic care can help lower the frequency and severity of ear infections, offering a proactive approach that may help avoid constant rounds of antibiotics.
Addressing Torticollis and Plagiocephaly
Torticollis is a condition where a baby's neck muscles cause their head to tilt and turn to one side, and it's often first spotted by worried parents or pediatricians. It can make tummy time a struggle and may lead to plagiocephaly, or "flat head syndrome," as the baby favors one side for sleeping. This condition is frequently caused by a baby’s position in the womb or stress during birth, creating significant tension and restriction in the neck.
Pediatric chiropractic adjustments for torticollis involve very gentle, sustained pressure to release muscle tension and restore normal movement in the neck vertebrae. This allows the baby to turn their head freely in both directions, which is crucial for development and preventing flatness.
The results speak for themselves. Parent satisfaction for pediatric chiropractic care consistently exceeds 90%. A large-scale analysis of over 22,000 parental responses found that improvements were most noted in general health, pain reduction, and significantly enhanced sleep quality—all issues often tied to conditions like torticollis. You can read the full findings on pediatric chiropractic outcomes to explore the research for yourself.
Our doctors at Hershey Family Chiropractic work alongside your pediatrician to provide integrated care, helping your baby meet their milestones comfortably. Our goal is to gently guide their body back into balance, supporting their natural growth and development.
Supporting Growth and Posture in Older Children
While gentle adjustments for infants are a game-changer, the physical demands on a child’s body evolve dramatically as they grow. The school-age and teen years bring new challenges to their developing spines—from heavy backpacks and sports injuries to the now-unavoidable "tech neck."
At Hershey Family Chiropractic, we partner with families to navigate these evolving needs. Our goal is to support healthy posture and optimal function through every stage of growth. A school-aged child or teenager in Hershey might spend hours hunched over a desk, carry a backpack that weighs 15-20% of their body weight, and then race off to sports practice. Each of these moments places unique stress on their spine.
Over time, this accumulated stress can lead to postural imbalances, muscle strain, and spinal misalignments. These aren't just about aches and pains; they can also interfere with balance, coordination, and physical performance.
Fostering Healthy Posture in a Digital World
One of the biggest modern challenges to a child’s posture is the constant use of screens. "Tech neck" is the term for the forward head posture that comes from looking down at phones and tablets. This position forces the neck and upper back muscles to work much harder to support the head's weight. For every inch the head drifts forward, it effectively doubles the load on the cervical spine. This can lead to a cascade of issues:
- Chronic headaches and neck pain.
- Shoulder tension and upper back stiffness.
- Reduced lung capacity due to a rounded, compressed posture.
Gentle, specific chiropractic adjustments help counteract these forces by restoring proper alignment and mobility to the neck and upper back. By correcting misalignments caused by poor posture, we help alleviate pain and retrain the body to find a healthier, more upright position. Our doctors also provide practical advice on ergonomics and simple stretches your child can do to build lasting postural awareness.
Enhancing Athletic Performance and Preventing Injuries
For the many young athletes in our Hershey community, chiropractic care is an incredible asset for both performance and injury prevention. Peak athletic ability—whether in soccer, gymnastics, or baseball—relies on a body that is balanced, coordinated, and strong. All of these functions are directed by the nervous system.
When the spine is properly aligned, nerve signals can travel without interference, allowing for quicker reflexes, better coordination, and more efficient muscle function. This is a foundational element of peak athletic performance.
Misalignments from falls, impacts, or repetitive motions can hinder this crucial communication, leading to muscle imbalances, reduced flexibility, and a higher risk of injury. Regular chiropractic check-ups help ensure a young athlete's body is functioning optimally, allowing them to perform at their best and recover more quickly.
If an injury does happen, chiropractic care can be a key part of the recovery process. By restoring proper joint mechanics and reducing inflammation, adjustments help the body heal faster. For active families in Hershey, this proactive approach means less time on the sidelines. We are proud to be a trusted local resource, supporting your child’s active, healthy development.
What to Expect at Your Child's First Visit
We understand that bringing your child to a new doctor's appointment can feel nerve-wracking. At Hershey Family Chiropractic, we want to put your mind at ease. We’ve designed our entire pediatric process to be calm and reassuring, so families across Central PA feel confident from the moment they walk through our doors.
Think of your child's first visit as our chance to get to know each other. It’s a time for us to listen to your concerns, for your little one to get comfortable, and for you to ask questions about the benefits of pediatric chiropractic care. Our Hershey office is a welcoming, kid-friendly environment where your child will feel right at home.
A Gentle and Thorough Initial Evaluation
The first step is a conversation with you. We’ll sit down and talk about your child’s health history, any specific challenges you’re facing—whether with sleep, digestion, or mobility—and your goals for their well-being. This discussion guides our entire approach.
Next, our doctor will perform a gentle, non-invasive evaluation. This looks very different from an adult exam and involves:
- Careful Observation: We watch how your child moves, plays, and holds their body to spot subtle imbalances or signs of discomfort.
- Specialized Pediatric Techniques: Our doctors use light-touch palpation to feel for areas of tension or restriction in your child’s spine and muscles. The pressure is incredibly soft—no more than you’d use to check a ripe avocado.
- Primitive and Postural Reflex Assessment: For infants, we may check certain reflexes to ensure their nervous system is developing on track.
This assessment is done at your child’s pace, often while your baby is in your arms or your toddler plays on the floor.
Our commitment to you is clear: no adjustments will ever be performed without your full and informed consent. The initial visit is about discovery and creating a plan together.
Your Child's First Adjustment
If we determine that chiropractic care can help and you decide to move forward, the first adjustment will be incredibly gentle. As we’ve mentioned, pediatric adjustments are tailored specifically to a child’s size, weight, and unique needs. It’s a soft, precise touch designed to restore proper motion and clear interference in the nervous system.
Many parents are surprised by how calm and quick the process is. There is no “popping” or “cracking” sound—just a gentle touch that most infants and children find completely comfortable, and some even sleep right through it!
We’ve put together a comprehensive overview of what to expect at your first chiropractic appointment that dives deeper into our patient-centered process for all ages.
Our mission is to be your trusted partner in health, providing the supportive care your child needs to grow and thrive. From the first phone call to every visit at our Hershey clinic, you can expect compassionate expertise every step of the way.
Common Questions About Pediatric Chiropractic Care
Deciding on healthcare for your child is one of the most important choices you'll make. It’s natural to have questions, especially when exploring a new approach like pediatric chiropractic care. We want you to feel fully informed and confident.
To help, we’ve put together some of the most common questions we hear from parents in our Hershey clinic. Our goal is to give you clear, reassuring answers that show you just how gentle and supportive this care truly is.
Is Chiropractic Care Safe for Babies and Children?
Absolutely. Your child's safety is the cornerstone of everything we do at Hershey Family Chiropractic. Pediatric chiropractic adjustments are fundamentally different from those for adults—they are incredibly gentle and adapted for a child’s delicate body.
The amount of pressure used is often compared to the light touch you’d use to check a tomato for ripeness. It’s a soft, specific force designed to restore motion and function, never to cause discomfort. Our doctors have completed extensive post-graduate training in pediatrics, ensuring every adjustment is safe, comfortable, and effective. Decades of clinical practice and a growing body of research have established pediatric chiropractic as one of the safest healthcare options available for children.
What Does a Pediatric Adjustment Feel Like for a Child?
For a baby or young child, a chiropractic adjustment feels like a gentle, sustained pressure or a series of quick, light taps. It doesn't involve the “popping” or “cracking” sounds sometimes associated with adult adjustments. The entire experience is designed to be calming and positive.
- For Infants: Adjustments are often done while the baby is sleeping or resting in a parent's arms.
- For Toddlers and Older Kids: We often turn the visit into playtime. The adjustment might happen while a child is on a parent’s lap or playing with a toy.
Our team at our Hershey clinic excels at creating a fun, relaxed atmosphere. We explain what we’re doing in simple terms, making sure your child feels safe. The goal is a stress-free experience for both you and your child.
When Is the Best Age to Start Chiropractic Care?
It’s never too early to support your child’s spinal health and nervous system. Children can get checked by a chiropractor just days after birth. The journey through the birth canal is physically demanding and can place significant stress on a newborn's neck and spine.
The optimal time for a child's first chiropractic check-up is as soon as possible after birth. This allows for the earliest possible detection and correction of any spinal misalignments resulting from in-utero constraint or the birthing process.
Early, gentle check-ups can address these subtle misalignments right away, clearing the path for their nervous system to coordinate growth from day one. That said, it's never too late. We welcome children of all ages at our Hershey clinic, whether they're newborns, toddlers, school-aged kids, or teens.
How Do I Know if My Child Needs a Chiropractor?
This is a fantastic question, because the signs of nervous system interference aren't always as obvious as a cough or a fever. While some parents seek care for clear issues, many bring their children in for wellness check-ups to ensure their body is functioning at its best.
Here are some common reasons parents in the Hershey community bring their children to see us:
- Obvious Physical Signs: Difficulty turning their head to one side (torticollis), challenges with latching or breastfeeding, or an uneven head shape (plagiocephaly).
- Common Childhood Struggles: Persistent colic or reflux, chronic ear infections, frequent constipation or other digestive issues, and unexplained sleep disturbances.
- Developmental Support: To ensure their nervous system is clear as they learn to crawl, walk, and meet other important milestones.
- Proactive Wellness: Following a difficult birth, after frequent tumbles as a toddler, or simply to give their child the best possible foundation for lifelong health.
If you have any concerns about your child's development, comfort, or well-being, a chiropractic evaluation is a safe, gentle, and effective place to start. Our doctors will provide an honest assessment and help you understand if care is right for your family.
Ready to give your child the gift of a healthy, connected nervous system? The team at Hershey Family Chiropractic is here to support your family with compassionate, expert care. We invite you to schedule your child's appointment today and see the benefits of pediatric chiropractic for yourself.
