Chiropractic care for kids and teens: what we do and what we don’t claim
By Dr. Jeremiah Carlson, chiropractic physician · Jacksonville, FL · Reviewed Nov 2026
What we commonly help with
- Sports strains and aches in young athletes
- Back and neck pain from backpacks, screens, or growth spurts
- Posture concerns (see upper and lower crossed syndrome)
What we don’t claim
We don’t claim chiropractic care treats ear infections, asthma, colic, ADHD, bedwetting, or other non-musculoskeletal conditions. Your child’s pediatrician stays in charge of their medical care.
Safety
Techniques for kids use much lighter force than for adults. A 2007 review in Pediatrics (Vohra et al.) and a 2015 review (Todd et al.) found serious adverse events are rare, but they have been reported, and research is limited. A parent or guardian is present at every visit.
Questions people ask
What age do you see?
Call us to talk about your child’s age and concern. We focus on kids and teens with muscle and joint problems.
Can a parent stay in the room?
Yes. A parent or guardian is present for every visit.
Is chiropractic safe for kids?
Serious side effects are rare in the research, but not zero. We use gentle techniques and refer to your pediatrician when needed.
Want Dr. Carlson to take a look?
Call our Southside clinic or request a call back. If you were in a car crash, take the 60-second check first.