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Gentle chiropractic care for children and teens

LeGault Chiropractic is a family practice in Ross Township, and Dr. Steven K. LeGault, DC, sees patients of all ages, from infants and children to teens and adults. Care for young patients is gentle, adapted to their age and size, and always explained to parents first.

Reviewed by Dr. Steven K. LeGault, DC

What can chiropractic care help children and teens with?

Kids and teens get many of the same muscle and joint problems adults do, often from sports, growth spurts, heavy backpacks or long hours at a desk or screen.

Dr. LeGault examines and treats back and neck pain, sports and play injuries, joint pain in the shoulders, hips, knees, ankles and feet, headaches, and back problems in children and teens with scoliosis, along with many of the other problems adults come in for.

How is care different for children?

Adjustments for children use much lighter pressure than for adults, and techniques are matched to the child’s age and size.

For children and teens, Dr. LeGault uses gentle hand adjustments, ArthroStim instrument adjusting or the drop table. Adjustments for infants use very light, rhythmic and gentle pulsations. Our adjustments page explains what a chiropractic adjustment involves.

Dr. LeGault is a member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA).

What happens at a child’s first visit?

A parent or guardian stays with the child throughout the visit.

Dr. LeGault takes a health history, does a gentle exam and explains what he finds and what he recommends, in plain words, before any treatment. If something needs a pediatrician or another specialist, he’ll tell you and refer you. Our new-patient page covers what to expect at a first visit.

What does the research say about chiropractic care for children and teens?

Research on chiropractic care for young people is growing, and the strongest studies so far show that spinal manipulation, combined with exercise, helps teens with low back pain.

That fits how Dr. LeGault works with young patients: gentle adjustments as one part of a plan that includes exercises and plain advice for home, school and sports.

Is chiropractic care safe for children?

Chiropractic care for children is gentle, and age-appropriate techniques are used.

Dr. LeGault goes over benefits and treatment with parents before treatment begins, and you can ask anything.

When should my child see a pediatrician first?

For fever, a serious fall or injury, numbness, or pain that wakes your child at night or keeps getting worse, contact your pediatrician or urgent care first.

Do you take my insurance?

We accept the plans below, and coverage depends on your plan; call 412-364-4100 and we can check your benefits before your first visit.

  • UPMC
  • Highmark
  • Aetna
  • UnitedHealthcare
  • Other Blue Cross Blue Shield plans
  • Medicare (participating provider)
  • Pennsylvania auto insurance (first-party medical benefits (PIP), billed directly)
  • Workers’ compensation

Coverage depends on your plan.

Questions, answered

Can I book an appointment for my child online?

Yes. Parents can book online for their children, or call 412-364-4100. Call first if you have any question about care for your child.

Do I stay with my child during the visit?

Yes. A parent or guardian stays with the child throughout the visit.

Dr. Steven K. LeGault, DC sees patients at LeGault Chiropractic in Ross Township, in Pittsburgh’s North Hills, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturdaydirections and on-site parkingJust off McKnight Road, on-site parking

Who treats this

Do you take my insurance?
Book an appointmentCall 412-364-4100
Directions & parking

References

  1. Evans R, Haas M, Schulz C, Leininger B, Hanson L, Bronfort G. Spinal manipulation and exercise for low back pain in adolescents: a randomized trial. Pain. 2018;159(7):1297–1307. (opens another site)

    185 teens aged 12–18 with chronic low back pain: manipulation plus exercise gave greater pain relief over one year than exercise alone, and more satisfaction; no serious treatment-related side effects.

  2. Yu H, Southerst D, Wong JJ, et al. Rehabilitation of back pain in the pediatric population: a mixed studies systematic review. Chiropractic & Manual Therapies. 2024;32:14. (opens another site)

    Spinal manipulation and group-based exercise may help reduce low back pain in adolescents; education should be part of care.

  3. Alcantara J, Lamont AE, Ohm J, Alcantara J. The quality of life of children under chiropractic care using PROMIS-25: results from a practice-based research network. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2018;24(4):378–384. (opens another site)

    881 children aged 8–17: fewer reports of pain interference, fatigue, anxiety and depression symptoms after a trial of chiropractic care.

  4. Selhorst M, Selhorst B. Lumbar manipulation and exercise for the treatment of acute low back pain in adolescents: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy. 2015;23(4):226–233. (opens another site)

    Teens aged 12–18 with acute low back pain: no increased risk of adverse reaction from lumbar manipulation.

  5. Dissing KB, Hartvigsen J, Wedderkopp N, Hestbæk L. Conservative care with or without manipulative therapy in the management of back and/or neck pain in Danish children aged 9–15. BMJ Open. 2018;8(9):e021358. (opens another site)

    238 children aged 9–15: no adverse events; children receiving manipulative therapy reported a higher global perceived effect.

  6. Alcantara J, Ohm J, Kunz D. The safety and effectiveness of pediatric chiropractic: a survey of chiropractors and parents in a practice-based research network. Explore (NY). 2009;5(5):290–295. (opens another site)

    Chiropractors reported 3 adverse events in 5,438 visits (577 children); parents reported 2 in 1,735 visits; both reported a high rate of improvement.

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