Babies, Children and Teens
Chiropractic care for babies, children and teens
Young nervous systems and bodies can need a hand too. We offer gentle chiropractic care for babies, children and teens at Spinal Somatics Lismore, upstairs at 89 Molesworth St.
Dr Stephen Foster is a member of both the Australian Chiropractors Association and the International Chiropractic Paediatric Association.
Why the nervous system matters in childhood
Children's nervous systems are still developing. In the first year, babies depend on close, calm contact with parents and caregivers. It helps them settle, and it's how their nervous system learns they're safe, which supports healthy development. As children grow, every stage brings new demands, and skills like managing big feelings keep developing right through childhood and into the late teens.
Our care is gentle, unhurried and guided by what each child needs.
More on Dr Stephen Foster [here]
Why families bring their children
Families from Lismore and the Northern Rivers bring children for many reasons, including:
Unsettled babies and difficulty settling, sleeping or feeding
Movement, posture or tension concerns e.g. a baby who favours one side, a child with uneven hips or shoulders, or a head that leans forward in front of their body when they stand (known as forward head carriage)
Aches and pains after falls and bumps, and growing pains
Big feelings, anxiety or stress
Helping sensitive children or those with problems self-regulating to calm their nervous system
Or simply a wish to have their child's nervous system and body checked by someone gentle and thorough
We always explain what we find and what we recommend. Sometimes it's that your child doesn't need care. Sometimes it's a referral to your GP, a child health nurse, a lactation consultant, occupational therapist or a paediatric physio, and we're happy to work alongside them.
What your child's first visit looks like
The first visit is longer, around 45 minutes, because we take time to listen to you, and to your child if they're old enough.
We watch how your child moves and where they hold tension, and look more closely at how their spine is functioning. Our contacts are quite light and brief, about the pressure you'd use to check if an avocado is ripe.
You stay with your child throughout. Babies can stay in your arms or lie on your chest, and older children can be as active or still as they like. With more than 20 years of experience with children and families, a wriggly toddler or a baby who needs a feed won't faze us.
Regular visits are similar, without the initial detailed history. We always discuss how your child is going and explain what we recommend.
Teens
Adolescence is a big stretch for a nervous system. Bodies grow fast, schedules fill up, and the ability to manage stress and big feelings is still developing well into the late teens. Add school and social pressures, sport, late nights and a lot of time on screens, and it's no surprise many teens carry more tension than they let on.
Teens come to see us for things like back, neck or jaw tension, headaches, aches from sport or growth spurts, posture and long hours at a desk or phone, and poor sleep or stress around exams, the HSC and friendships. At this age we talk with your teen at an age appropriate level, not just about them, including explaining what we're doing in plain language.
If your child is under 18, you will be in the room and part of the conversation during their first visit. We allow 45 minutes for this. Our contacts are quite light and brief, and your teen stays fully clothed throughout all of their sessions (first and follow-ups). Parents are welcome to stay, and we'll talk through what works best for your teen at the start of the visit.
If your teen doesn't need care, we'll say so. If something would be better looked at by their GP, a physio, a psychologist or another professional, we'll tell you and happily refer.
Want to talk first?
If you'd like to chat with us before bringing your child in, we're always happy to make a time, including by phone if you're travelling in from out of town. Teens are welcome to ask questions themselves.
Common questions
Is it safe for babies? Yes, our contacts are light and brief, and we adapt them to your baby's age and needs. We explain what we're doing, you stay with your baby throughout, and we'll tell you if we think someone else would be a better fit.
Can I bring my other kids? Yes. Siblings are welcome. Many families book children back to back.
