As a parent, your instinct is to seek the most gentle and effective healthcare for your children. That’s why so many families in Hershey, PA, are searching for a “pediatric chiropractor near me.” Here at Hershey Family Chiropractic, we specialize in safe, low-force adjustments specifically designed for a child’s growing body. Our goal is to partner with you to build a strong foundation of wellness for your child, right from the very beginning.
Why Hershey Families Trust Pediatric Chiropractic Care
Your child's health is your top priority. You want to give them the best possible start in life, with every opportunity to grow, develop, and thrive. In recent years, more and more families in Hershey and across Central Pennsylvania are discovering how pediatric chiropractic care can be a gentle, proactive part of their children's wellness routine.
This type of care isn't about treating sickness; it's about optimizing health. Pediatric chiropractic focuses on ensuring the nervous system—the body's master control system—is functioning without any interference. A child’s spine protects this incredibly important system, and even minor misalignments from the birthing process, everyday tumbles, or postural strain can create subtle roadblocks.
A Focus on Foundational Health
Our doctors at Hershey Family Chiropractic—Dr. Jennifer Davis, Dr. Jenifer Epstein, and Dr. Leanne Tressler—have advanced training to care for infants and children. The techniques they use are completely different from those used on adults. They involve incredibly light, fingertip pressure, often compared to the gentle touch you’d use to check if a tomato is ripe.
This gentle approach can help with many common childhood concerns by supporting the body's natural function:
- Colic and Reflux: Easing tension in the spine may improve digestive function and bring comfort to your baby.
- Ear Infections: Proper spinal alignment can support better fluid drainage from the Eustachian tubes.
- Postural Strain: In an age of tablets and screens, chiropractic care helps counteract the effects of "tech neck."
- Developmental Support: Ensuring the nervous system is free of interference helps support major milestones like crawling and walking.
The trust in this field is growing. In the US alone, approximately 2 million children visit chiropractors annually, making it a leading complementary health service for kids aged 4-17. Worldwide, the lifetime utilization of chiropractic care for the pediatric population is 11.1%, showing just how broadly it has been accepted.
At its core, pediatric chiropractic care supports the body’s innate ability to heal and function optimally. It’s a partnership with parents to build a strong foundation for a lifetime of health.
For families in Hershey, choosing our practice means choosing a team that is dedicated to your child’s well-being. We believe in empowering parents with knowledge and providing care that is safe, effective, and always centered on your child. To learn more, check out our guide on understanding pediatric chiropractic care.
Choosing The Right Chiropractor For Your Child in Hershey
When you search for a “pediatric chiropractor near me,” you’re looking for more than a doctor—you're seeking a trusted partner in your child's health. Making a confident choice is essential for your peace of mind, and knowing what to look for will ensure your little one is in the best possible hands.
Here at Hershey Family Chiropractic, we believe every child deserves care from a professional who truly understands their unique and developing body. That’s why specialized training isn't just a bonus—it's a requirement for providing the highest quality pediatric care.
Specialized Training And Gentle Techniques
One of the clearest signs of a qualified pediatric chiropractor is advanced postgraduate training. Certifications from organizations like the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) are a critical credential. These intensive programs provide doctors with the specific skills needed to care for infants, children, and pregnant mothers safely and effectively.
This extra training ensures the chiropractor uses incredibly gentle, low-force techniques. An adjustment for a baby or young child is nothing like an adult adjustment. It often involves just a light, sustained pressure—no more than what you’d use to check if an avocado is ripe. These methods are designed specifically for a child’s delicate and growing musculoskeletal system.
True pediatric specialists are also committed to lifelong learning, adapting their techniques as a child grows. They use the softest touch for newborns and gradually transition to more traditional adjustments by around age six. This dedication is backed by ongoing education, with practitioners averaging 7.87 hours of advanced training annually to keep their skills sharp and evidence-informed. You can dive deeper into the clinical characteristics of pediatric chiropractic practice from this international survey.
Key Credentials to Verify in a Pediatric Chiropractor
| Credential or Quality | Why It Matters for Your Child | What to Ask or Look For |
|---|---|---|
| Postgraduate Pediatric Training | Ensures the doctor understands the nuances of a child’s developing spine and nervous system. | Look for certifications like CACCP or DACCP from the ICPA. Ask, "What specific pediatric training have you completed?" |
| Experience with Children | A doctor who regularly treats kids will be more comfortable and skilled at handling their unique needs. | Ask, "What percentage of your practice is dedicated to pediatric patients?" or "How long have you been treating children?" |
| Use of Gentle, Low-Force Techniques | Protects the child’s delicate joints and ensures a safe, positive experience. | Ask the doctor to describe what an adjustment looks like for a child. It should sound gentle and reassuring. |
| A Kid-Friendly Office Environment | A welcoming space helps children feel relaxed and reduces anxiety about their visit. | Notice the waiting room. Is it clean? Are there toys or books? Does the staff interact warmly with kids? |
| Willingness to Collaborate | A good chiropractor will happily work with your pediatrician to ensure integrated care. | Ask, "How do you communicate with a child's other healthcare providers?" |
Having this checklist handy can help you feel more prepared and confident as you meet with local chiropractors.
A Welcoming And Family-Friendly Environment
Beyond certifications, the atmosphere of the clinic itself matters immensely. A truly pediatric-focused practice like Hershey Family Chiropractic is designed to be a welcoming space from the moment you walk in. Look for a clean, inviting office with friendly staff who are genuinely happy to see and interact with children.
The right clinic environment helps both parent and child feel relaxed and at ease, which is fundamental to a positive healthcare experience. It signals that the entire team understands and caters to the needs of its youngest patients.
Key Questions For Your Consultation
To build trust and confirm you’ve found the right fit, it’s always a good idea to ask a few questions during your first visit or consultation. This conversation is your opportunity to gauge the chiropractor's experience, their approach, and their philosophy of care.
Consider having these questions ready:
- What specific training do you have in pediatric chiropractic? Listen for mentions of the ICPA or other respected postgraduate programs.
- What does a typical adjustment for a child my age look like? Their answer should be reassuring and focus on gentle, specific techniques.
- How do you create a comfortable experience for children who might be nervous? A great pediatric chiropractor will have clear strategies for engaging kids and making visits feel fun, not clinical.
Asking these questions empowers you to make a decision you can feel good about. At Hershey Family Chiropractic, we welcome this dialogue and are always ready to provide the transparent, expert care our Hershey community deserves.
How Chiropractic Care Supports Common Childhood Issues
When parents in Hershey search for a "pediatric chiropractor near me," it’s often because they are looking for a gentle, effective way to help their child with common issues. At Hershey Family Chiropractic, we've seen firsthand how a well-aligned spine and a clear nervous system can make a world of difference in a child’s overall well-being. We focus on getting to the root cause of symptoms, not just temporarily masking them.
Think of the nervous system as the body's master control panel, coordinating everything from digestion to immune responses. A child's spine is the protective armor for this vital system, but even minor shifts from birth, everyday tumbles, or poor posture can create interference. Our gentle adjustments help remove that interference, allowing the body to function as it was designed to.
Addressing Colic And Digestive Discomfort
For new parents in Hershey with an infant struggling with colic, reflux, or constipation, it can feel overwhelming. Sometimes, the cause is linked to mechanical stress on their tiny bodies. A challenging birth can create tension in the spine and surrounding muscles, which can then impact the nerves controlling digestion.
Gentle chiropractic adjustments for infants are all about relieving this physical tension. By restoring proper movement in the spine, especially in the upper neck and mid-back, we help calm the nervous system. This often leads to better gut motility, less gas, and a much more comfortable, settled baby.
Supporting Children With Recurring Ear Infections
Chronic ear infections are a frustrating cycle for many kids and their parents. While chiropractic care doesn’t "treat" the infection itself, it addresses a key mechanical factor: poor fluid drainage. The Eustachian tubes, which drain fluid from the middle ear, depend on the proper function of muscles in the upper neck.
When the small bones of the upper cervical spine are misaligned, these muscles can become tight, preventing the tubes from draining properly. This creates an environment where fluid builds up, making infections more likely. A specific, gentle adjustment can restore motion, helping the tubes drain naturally and potentially breaking the cycle of frequent infections.
The goal of pediatric chiropractic care is to support the body's own incredible ability to heal and regulate itself. By ensuring the nervous system is functioning without interference, we create the right conditions for better health.
Understanding your child's growth stages is incredibly helpful. For a deeper dive, a great parent's guide to developmental milestones can provide valuable context.
Enhancing Posture And Easing Growing Pains
As kids get older, they face new physical challenges. Heavy backpacks, hours spent hunched over screens, and sports activities can all strain their developing posture. Chiropractic care is excellent for correcting these postural imbalances before they become long-term problems. Regular check-ups help ensure their spine is adapting well during growth spurts.
This proactive approach can also help with "growing pains." While these aches are a normal part of getting bigger, misalignments can sometimes make the discomfort worse. By ensuring joints are moving correctly, we can ease tension in the muscles and ligaments, offering natural relief. At Hershey Family Chiropractic, we are passionate about helping kids in our community build a strong foundation for a lifetime of healthy movement.
Let's Talk About Safety: Are Pediatric Adjustments Safe?
When you first consider a pediatric chiropractor for your child, safety is almost always the number one question. We understand. As parents ourselves, we know that nothing is more important than feeling confident and secure in the care your child receives.
The simple truth is that pediatric chiropractic care, when provided by a doctor with specialized training, has an incredible safety record.
Gentle Techniques for Growing Bodies
First, an adjustment for a baby or a child looks nothing like an adjustment for an adult. The force we use is incredibly light and is always tailored to your child’s specific size, age, and needs.
For an infant, the pressure is often no more than what you’d use to check the ripeness of a tomato. There are no "cracking" or "popping" sounds involved. Instead, we use gentle, sustained pressure and other low-force techniques to help restore proper motion to the spine. It's a non-invasive, drug-free approach designed to work in harmony with your child’s developing body, supporting their natural ability to heal and function. Most parents are pleasantly surprised by how calm and comfortable their kids are during a visit.
If you're curious, we break this down even further in our article covering the not-so-scary truth about chiropractic care.
A Look at the Evidence
This isn't just our opinion; the data supports it. Research consistently shows that pediatric chiropractic has an extremely low rate of adverse events.
Safety data reveals that a serious negative event in pediatric manual therapy is incredibly rare, estimated at just one in every 2 million manipulations. This makes it one of the safest forms of healthcare available for children.
In major surveys of children receiving chiropractic care, no serious adverse events were reported. This aligns with systematic reviews on the safety of manual therapy for kids, reinforcing that choosing a qualified pediatric chiropractor is a responsible, evidence-informed decision for your family.
When you compare safety profiles, chiropractic care stands out. Overall chiropractic accidents average around 40 per 100,000 subjects—a rate far below the 153 per 100,000 subjects seen in typical primary care settings. These numbers should offer significant peace of mind.
At Hershey Family Chiropractic, your child’s safety is the foundation of everything we do. Our team has the advanced training and hands-on experience needed to provide the gentle, effective care that gives you complete confidence.
What to Expect at Your Child's First Visit
Stepping into a new doctor's office can be intimidating, especially with a child. That's why we've designed your child’s first visit at Hershey Family Chiropractic to feel welcoming, comfortable, and reassuring from the moment you walk through our doors in Hershey.
Your journey with us starts with a friendly greeting in our family-oriented clinic, followed by a thorough, unhurried conversation with Dr. Davis, Dr. Epstein, or Dr. Tressler. This isn't a rushed intake; it's a genuine conversation. We’ll listen carefully to your concerns, review your child's health history, and get a clear picture of your family’s wellness goals.
A Gentle and Engaging Examination
After our talk, one of our doctors will perform a gentle, non-invasive physical exam. We work hard to make this part playful and engaging, so your child feels like they're part of a game, not a medical assessment.
The doctor will carefully check your child’s spine, posture, and reflexes to understand how their nervous system is functioning. This is a hands-on process tailored completely to your child’s age and comfort. We might check their alignment while they sit on your lap or use fun activities to observe their movement patterns. It's a stress-free way for us to gather the information we need.
Creating a Personalized Care Plan, Together
Once the exam is complete, we'll walk you through our findings in clear, easy-to-understand language. We believe in being partners in your child’s health, which means we develop a personalized care plan with you, not just for you. This plan will outline our recommendations, how often we think visits will be helpful, and what you can expect from care.
With child health metrics showing rises in issues like anxiety and obesity, more families are seeking proactive, natural care. A structured chiropractic plan can have a significant positive impact. For instance, one study involving 180 children showed notable improvements in quality of life scores and hyperactivity after just 12 weeks of care. You can read more about these chiropractic findings here.
The first adjustment itself is incredibly gentle. For babies, the pressure is often no more than what you’d use to check a ripe tomato. For older kids, the techniques are still light, specific, and comfortable. Most kids are completely relaxed during the process—in fact, many parents tell us their children look forward to their visits! We’ll make sure you and your child feel prepared and confident every step of the way.
Common Questions from Hershey Parents
Deciding on healthcare for your child naturally comes with questions. To help you feel confident and informed, we’ve gathered some of the most common questions we hear from families right here in Hershey, PA.
Our goal is to provide clear, straightforward answers and the peace of mind you deserve.
Is Chiropractic Care Safe for Newborns?
Yes, it is remarkably safe. A newborn adjustment involves an incredibly gentle touch—no more pressure than you’d use to check if a tomato is ripe.
Our doctors at Hershey Family Chiropractic have specialized training in the delicate techniques required for infants. This gentle approach is designed to safely address issues that might arise from the birthing process, like trouble with feeding, latching, or colic. We always put your baby's comfort and safety first.
How Often Will My Child Need to Visit?
This depends entirely on your child's specific needs and health goals. After our thorough initial assessment, we’ll create a personalized plan with you.
Some children may only need a few visits to address a specific issue, like recovering from a fall. Others thrive with regular wellness check-ups, especially during major developmental stages like growth spurts or while playing sports, to ensure their bodies are adapting and growing properly.
Your child's care plan is a team effort. We'll work with you to find a schedule that supports their well-being, fits your family's needs, and helps them reach their full health potential.
Does My Insurance Cover Pediatric Chiropractic?
Many insurance plans offer coverage for pediatric chiropractic care. We know navigating benefits can be confusing, but our friendly team is here to make it simple.
The administrative staff at Hershey Family Chiropractic will happily verify your coverage for you and explain your benefits in plain language. We also offer flexible payment options to ensure that high-quality pediatric care is accessible for every family in our Hershey community. We believe financial concerns should never be a barrier to your child’s health.
What Is the Difference Between a Pediatric and General Chiropractor?
This is an excellent question. While all chiropractors are doctors of the spine, a pediatric specialist has completed extensive post-graduate training focused specifically on a child’s unique anatomy and developmental needs.
This advanced education ensures every technique is perfectly adapted for their growing bodies, from newborns to teenagers. Our doctors pursued this specialized training because we are committed to providing the highest standard of safe, gentle, and effective care for the youngest members of your family.
Ready to see how gentle chiropractic care can support your child's health and well-being? The team at Hershey Family Chiropractic is here to answer any other questions you have and partner with you on your family's wellness journey.
