Pediatric Care in Battle Creek

When performed by a trained chiropractor using age-appropriate techniques, pediatric chiropractic is considered safe. The pressure used for infants and young children is extremely light, comparable to a gentle fingertip touch, and is nothing like the techniques used for adults. We screen every young patient carefully before beginning care, and we refer to your pediatrician whenever a concern falls outside our scope.

We see children of all ages. Techniques and pressure are fully adapted to the child's age, size, and stage of development. If you have any questions about whether your child is a good candidate, give us a call and we'll walk you through it before you book.

No. Pediatric techniques use very light, gentle pressure, and most children feel nothing more than a soft touch, with many falling asleep during a visit. We go at every child's pace and stop immediately if they are uncomfortable. You'll be in the room the whole time.

Yes, postural issues like "tech neck" (forward-head posture from phone and tablet use) and rounded shoulders respond well to gentle chiropractic care paired with simple at-home habits. Catching and correcting these patterns early, while the spine is still developing, tends to give the best long-term results.

We are honest about scope, and we do not claim to treat medical conditions like colic, ear infections, or ADHD. Our focus is spinal and postural health. If your child has a medical concern, the right starting point is your pediatrician. We are happy to work alongside their medical care team, but never as a substitute for it.

Not routinely. Most pediatric patients do not need imaging. If your child's history or exam raises a concern that requires an X-ray or other imaging, we discuss it with you first, use the lowest appropriate exposure, and share findings with your pediatrician.

It depends on what we find. After the exam, Dr. Leatherman gives you a clear, time-bound care plan with a specific endpoint, not open-ended visits. Many families see meaningful improvement within a handful of sessions.

Many insurance plans that cover chiropractic for adults also cover it for children. We verify benefits before the first visit and walk you through what's covered. Affordable self-pay options are available if your plan doesn't include it.

Absolutely. Parents are always welcome and encouraged to be present throughout every visit. We explain what we're doing as we go, and your child can stop the visit at any time.

Tech neck is a posture pattern caused by sustained forward-head position while looking down at phones, tablets, or laptops. It places extra load on the developing cervical spine and can lead to neck tightness, headaches, and rounded shoulders. We see it increasingly in school-age children and teenagers. Gentle chiropractic care combined with simple screen-time posture habits can help correct it early, before it becomes a chronic adult problem.