Children's bodies are constantly growing and changing, and the physical demands of modern childhood — from heavy backpacks to hours spent looking down at screens to the inevitable bumps and falls of active play — can create real structural problems early on. At Performance Health Chiropractic in Ann Arbor, MI, Dr. Timothy Dehr offers gentle, age-appropriate chiropractic care specifically adapted for infants, children, and teenagers.
Pediatric chiropractic adjustments use significantly less force than adult adjustments — often no more pressure than you'd use to test the ripeness of a tomato — and are tailored to a child's developing spine. Many parents are surprised by how gentle the process is and how quickly their kids respond. Whether your child is dealing with sports injuries, postural issues from screen time, growing pains, or you're simply interested in proactive wellness care, pediatric chiropractic can help support healthy development from infancy through the teenage years.
The Benefits of Pediatric Chiropractic
Pediatric chiropractic care supports your child's natural growth and development by addressing spinal misalignments and joint restrictions before they have a chance to interfere with nervous system function or physical performance. Research suggests that chiropractic care for children may help with musculoskeletal complaints, though parents should always discuss treatment options with their pediatrician as part of a comprehensive care approach.
Parents often bring their children to Dr. Dehr for issues like scoliosis screenings, sports-related injuries, postural problems (often from screens and backpacks), trouble sleeping, and growing pains. Because pediatric adjustments are so gentle, most children find the experience comfortable, and many actually look forward to their visits once they realize how much better they feel afterward.
Important context: Pediatric chiropractic is most effective for musculoskeletal conditions — spinal alignment, joint mobility, postural issues, and sports injuries. It is not a replacement for pediatric medical care, vaccinations, or treatment of infections or systemic illness. Dr. Dehr works collaboratively with your child's pediatrician and will refer to medical specialists when appropriate.
Safety and Evidence: What Parents Should Know
Parents understandably have questions about safety when it comes to chiropractic care for children, and that concern is completely appropriate. Pediatric chiropractic is not simply adult chiropractic scaled down — it's a specialized approach that accounts for the unique biomechanics of a growing body.
The Evidence: A 2019 systematic review published in Chiropractic & Manual Therapies found that adverse events following pediatric chiropractic care are rare and typically mild (temporary soreness or fussiness). Serious complications are exceptionally uncommon when care is provided by a trained chiropractor. That said, chiropractic care — like any healthcare intervention — is not risk-free, and parents should make informed decisions in consultation with their child's pediatrician.
The Current Evidence (2020-2025): A 2025 systematic review published in Clinical Pediatrics examined the evidence base for pediatric chiropractic care and concluded that while high-quality research is still limited, spinal manipulative therapy appears to be a reasonable option for children with musculoskeletal complaints such as back pain and headaches. The review found that serious adverse events are rare when care is provided by trained chiropractors using age-appropriate, gentle techniques.
A 2022 systematic scoping review in BMC Pediatrics analyzed spinal manipulation and mobilization studies in children and adolescents, noting that most techniques used are low-force and appear safe, with reported adverse events typically mild and self-limiting (temporary soreness or brief fussiness). A 2020 rapid review in Chiropractic & Manual Therapies specifically examined safety in children under 10 years and reinforced that serious complications are exceptionally uncommon when providers use pediatric-adapted techniques.
What the evidence does NOT support: The same 2025 review cautioned that chiropractic care should not be represented as effective for non-musculoskeletal conditions in children such as ADHD, autism, asthma, or chronic ear infections, as the evidence base for these conditions remains insufficient. Dr. Dehr follows this guidance carefully — he treats what chiropractic has been shown to help (musculoskeletal issues) and refers to pediatricians and specialists for conditions outside that scope.
Dr. Dehr's Approach: Dr. Dehr uses light-touch adjustments specifically adapted to each child's age, size, and developmental stage. The techniques are gentle, controlled, and explained in advance. If at any point chiropractic care isn't the right approach for your child's condition, Dr. Dehr will tell you honestly and refer you to the appropriate specialist. He believes in collaborative care — working alongside pediatricians, physical therapists, and other providers to support your child's overall health.
Childhood Conditions We Address in Ann Arbor
Dr. Dehr treats a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions affecting children and teenagers in the Ann Arbor area. Common reasons parents bring their kids in include:
Sports Injuries — Sprains, strains, and overuse injuries from youth athletics, soccer, gymnastics, basketball, and other sports
Postural Problems — Forward head posture from screens, uneven shoulders from heavy backpacks, rounded upper back from prolonged sitting
Scoliosis Monitoring — Early detection and tracking of spinal curvature; chiropractic care does not cure scoliosis but can help manage discomfort
Growing Pains — Discomfort in legs, knees, and joints during growth spurts
Sports Performance & Injury Prevention — Biomechanical assessments for young athletes
Musculoskeletal Tension — When physical tension may be contributing to sleep difficulties or headaches
What Pediatric Chiropractic Is NOT a Substitute For: Chiropractic care is not appropriate for treating infections (ear infections, colds, flu), developmental delays, behavioral conditions, or systemic illness. While some parents explore chiropractic for these issues, the evidence base is limited, and Dr. Dehr focuses on musculoskeletal care where chiropractic has the strongest research support. He works collaboratively with your child's pediatrician and will always refer to medical specialists when indicated.
In addition to adjustments, Dr. Dehr provides practical guidance on ergonomics (how kids wear backpacks, how they sit for homework), injury prevention strategies for young athletes, and exercises parents can do at home to support treatment. The goal isn't just to address the immediate problem — it's to set your child up for a lifetime of healthy movement and body awareness.
Schedule Your Child's First Appointment in Ann Arbor
If you're looking for a pediatric chiropractor in Ann Arbor who takes the time to explain what's happening with your child's body and make them feel comfortable throughout the process, Performance Health Chiropractic is here to help. Dr. Tim Dehr welcomes children of all ages, from newborns to teenagers, and he's skilled at adapting his approach to each child's comfort level and developmental stage.
To schedule your child's first appointment, call (734) 929-4523 or request an appointment online. We're located at 2330 E Stadium Blvd, Suite 3 in Ann Arbor, with hours Monday through Thursday. New patients are always welcome, and we're happy to answer any questions you have about what to expect before you come in.
Learn more: Meet Dr. Dehr | Services
References:
Misra SM, Jaber O, Long C. Chiropractic Care in Children: A Review of Evidence and Safety. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2025 Jul;64(7):1028-1032.
Milne N, Longeri L, Patel A, et al. Spinal manipulation and mobilisation in the treatment of infants, children, and adolescents: a systematic scoping review. BMC Pediatr. 2022 Dec 19;22(1):721.
Gleberzon BJ, et al. The Safety of Spinal Manipulative Therapy in Children Under 10 Years: A Rapid Review. Chiropr Man Therap. 2020 Feb 5;28(1):12.
Pediatric Care Disclaimer
This information is educational only. While Dr. Dehr provides chiropractic care to children, pediatric treatment requires careful individual assessment and parental consent. For developmental concerns, illness, injury, or medical emergencies, consult your child's pediatrician. Chiropractic care is complementary to, not a replacement for, pediatric medical care.
Dr. Timothy Dehr is Ann Arbor's only Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP). Former U-M varsity gymnast and Big Ten Champion, he serves as chiropractor to 3-time Olympian Sam Mikulak and 50+ NFL players. While his primary focus is sports medicine and biomechanical dysfunction in adults and athletes, Dr. Dehr provides gentle, age-appropriate chiropractic care to children when clinically indicated. Learn more about Dr. Dehr →
