Pediatric Chiropractic
at Two Sparrows Family Chiropractic in Whitefish, Montana
Birth is one of the most sacred moments for both mom and baby — and yet labor and delivery can place real stress on a baby's spine, especially the neck. Whether the birth was vaginal or C-section, smooth or a bit more urgent, that first entry into the world can leave little ones carrying nervous system pressure and dysfunction. The first year of life brings rapid, remarkable change — in fact, 65% of neurological development happens in that first year alone. Unlike adults, who can simply tell us what hurts, babies "speak" in other ways: colic, sleeplessness, trouble latching or breastfeeding, constipation, excess gassiness, and reflux. Nourishing your baby's nervous system through chiropractic care helps keep them clear, connected, and supported through every stage of their development.
Now that we have children of our own, we get to see firsthand just how much lighter things feel when kiddos are regularly adjusted. When a child's body is thriving, free from nerve pressure, milestones come more easily, and they get to grow and develop exactly as they're meant to.
Case Studies
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Focus, impulse control, and behavior are all governed by the nervous system, so it makes sense that nervous system health plays a role in how a child regulates and responds to the world around them. When there's tension or misalignment affecting nerve communication, it can contribute to the dysregulation many children with ADHD experience. Chiropractic care works to remove that interference, supporting clearer communication between the brain and body. While chiropractic isn't a replacement for a child's broader care plan, many families find it to be a valuable, drug-free addition that supports focus, calm, and overall nervous system balance.
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A child's digestive system relies heavily on the vagus nerve and the nerves that exit the lower spine, both of which help regulate healthy bowel function. When there's tension along the spine — often from the birth process itself, or simply from the rapid growth of early childhood — it can interfere with that communication and contribute to constipation. Gentle chiropractic adjustments help restore proper nerve function to the digestive organs, supporting your child's body as it finds its own natural, regular rhythm.
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Reflux happens when the muscles and nerves controlling the digestive tract — particularly around the diaphragm and lower esophagus — aren't functioning quite the way they should. Birth itself, even an uncomplicated one, can place real strain on a newborn's spine and nervous system, sometimes affecting the nerves that help regulate digestion. Chiropractic adjustments gently release that tension, supporting healthier nerve function and helping many babies experience real relief from the discomfort of reflux.
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Breastfeeding difficulties and flat spots on a baby's head often share a root cause: restricted motion in the neck. Whether from the birth process or time spent favoring one side, that restriction can make it hard for a baby to turn their head fully and comfortably in both directions — leading to a shallow or one-sided latch, and to consistent pressure on one part of the skull. Gentle chiropractic adjustments help restore full, comfortable range of motion in the neck, supporting an easier latch and giving your baby the freedom to turn and rest more evenly on both sides.
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Ear infections are one of the most common reasons parents bring their little ones in to see us. The nerves and eustachian tubes that control drainage in the ear are closely connected to the upper neck, so when there's tension or misalignment in that area, fluid can have a harder time draining properly — creating the perfect environment for infection to take hold. Gentle chiropractic adjustments can help restore proper motion and nerve function in the upper cervical spine, supporting your child's body as it drains naturally and fights off infection on its own, often reducing how frequently ear infections recur.
What Sets Us Apart?
Dr. Jordan and Dr. Peter have both trained extensively through the Gonstead Methodology Institute, earning over 300 combined hours of specialized education — including pediatric chiropractic case studies, radiologic analysis of the pediatric spine, pediatric gait analysis, advanced pediatric palpation, and many other courses focused specifically on caring for kids. Dr. Jordan has gone even further with newborn chiropractic care, completing over 100 additional hours of training through the ICPA, Dr. Stephanie Libs, Dr. Claudia Anrig, and BIRTHFIT.
Extensive Pediatric Chiropractic Education &Training
Immune Support
Research shows enhanced production of immune-modulating cells following chiropractic adjustments. When we remove stress from the nervous system, your immune system is free to thrive.
Source
Sleep
A pilot study published in the Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics (JCCP) found that children under consistent chiropractic care often experience deeper, more restful sleep. At the first visit, parents reported that over 66% of children had difficulty falling asleep — but by the seventh chiropractic visit, that number had dropped to just 22%.
Gut Health
Gut health is deeply connected to the nervous system. When there's stress on the nerves feeding the digestive organs, or pressure on the vagus nerve, it can show up as constipation, diarrhea, colic, nausea, reflux, and even food allergies. The good news is that chiropractic care can help restore that function — you'll find a real example of this in the source linked below.
Mood & Behavior
Managing your child's emotions and behavior through each stage of development can feel overwhelming, especially with so many factors at play. Research shows that chiropractic adjustments can be a genuinely helpful addition, supporting positive changes in a child's emotional stability.
What does gonstead chiropractic actually look like for my child?
Related Pages
Learn More About Our Approach
The Gonstead Approach for Newborns, Children & Teens — how we adapt our precise, gentle technique for every stage of childhood
Newborn & Infant Care
Toddler & Young Child Care
School-Age & Teen Care
Frequently Asked Questions
what to expect
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Yes, when performed by a chiropractor with specific pediatric training. Techniques for infants and children use significantly less force than adult adjustments — often just a few ounces of pressure for a newborn, roughly comparable to testing the ripeness of a piece of fruit. This isn't a scaled-down adult adjustment; it's a different approach entirely, built specifically around a child's developing body.
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No. Pediatric adjustments are gentle, and most infants and young children don't react at all during the adjustment itself — many babies stay calm or even fall asleep. Older kids sometimes describe a light pressure sensation, never pain.
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Infant and toddler adjustments are typically silent — there's no audible release the way there sometimes is with an adult adjustment. Although, when a joint has been stuck for a long time, or is substantially stuck, there will sometimes be a light click upon adjusting. The technique and the physiology involved are simply different at this age.
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Beyond general chiropractic licensure, look for specific pediatric-focused training or certification. Both of our doctor’s have hundreds of hours of additional training in pedatric chiropractic, along with being Webster Technique trained.
Not every chiropractor treats infants and children, and it's completely reasonable to ask directly about a provider's pediatric-specific experience and training before your first visit.
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As with any healthcare service, no form of care is entirely without risk, but published research on pediatric chiropractic care has generally found very low rates of adverse events, with the large majority being mild and temporary (like brief soreness) rather than anything serious. We're always happy to discuss this openly during your first visit.
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We start with a thorough conversation about your child's history and your specific concerns, followed by a gentle, age-appropriate physical evaluation. From there, we'll explain what we found in plain language before any adjustment is made — you'll always understand the "why" behind our recommendations.
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Yes, absolutely — parents are welcome and encouraged to stay close throughout every pediatric visit, including holding infants and toddlers during the exam and adjustment if that's most comfortable for your family.
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Not routinely, and never for infants or very young children. X-rays are used selectively for older kids and teens when clinically appropriate — most commonly for scoliosis evaluation or after a significant injury — not as a default part of every visit.
Safety
Safety
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No, a referral generally isn't required to schedule a chiropractic visit. That said, we always encourage keeping your pediatrician informed, and we're happy to communicate directly with your child's other providers if that's helpful.
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We are an out of network provider, and can supply receipts and superbills to submit to your insurance company. We recommend checking with your specific insurance provider, and our office is happy to help you understand this before your first visit.
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This depends entirely on your child's specific situation and what we find during the initial exam — there's no universal formula. We'll discuss a realistic, individualized plan with you after your child's first evaluation, and that plan is always something we revisit together as your child responds to care.
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There's no minimum age — some families bring babies in within the first weeks of life, often after a difficult delivery, while others start later, prompted by a specific concern like growing pains or a sports injury. Whenever your family is ready is the right time to start.
100+ Five Star Google Reviews
Our newborn was incredibly fussy and struggled with awful diapers and a nurse recommended trying Two Sparrows. I was a little skeptical at first but decided to try it out... anyways, literally THE NEXT DAY after our newborn's first adjustment with Dr. Jordan his wild diapers stopped and he began having normal diapers. He's now 5 months and the happiest little dude! I'm a believer now (lol) and have brought our eldest child and my own achy postpartum body into the office. 10/10 recommend!
Tenesha Z.
I have nothing but amazing things to say about the overall care that he has received from her...and his reflux episodes have basically completely resolved. She is so kind and gentle with him every time. Getting adjustments has even helped him progress quicker with his tummy time and rolling! We are so happy with his results, that I have started taking his twin sister now as well to see if we can help her with her fussiness and stamina. I cannot say enough great things about Two Sparrows. If you are looking for pediatric chiropractic care for your little, this is the place for you!
Jessica B
My baby was adjusted just 5 days after he was born and has been adjusted a few more times when he was very constipated once and the other two times he was spitting up a lot. Every time we have taken baby in, those issues were resolved after an adjustment. I have recommended Two Sparrows to everyone I know! I only wish I had Dr. Jordan in my life earlier, especially when I was pregnant with my first. Dr. Jordan was a huge part of my prental wellness care and now part of my entire family's wellness routine.
Natalie B.