Can Chiropractic Care Improve Speech Delays?

 

While speaking is second nature to most of us, the process of learning to speak is actually incredibly complex, with one of the most important elements being listening and observing others. From a young age, most babies will mimic sounds they hear and begin trying to communicate, ultimately helping them use language to express themselves in the future. When this process is delayed beyond the normal timeline, this is considered a speech delay. That term can sound scary, but speech delays are common and can be easily addressed through early intervention programs. As a supplement to these programs, a Rochester Hills chiropractor may be able to help improve speech in children as well.

Why Speech Delays Happen

Any developmental delay in children can occur for a variety of reasons, ranging from the physical to the environmental. In some cases, emotional distress or trauma can be the reason for the delay, and therapy is the best way of addressing the problem. Other times, there may be an underlying illness that is at fault. However, many times there is a physical explanation for speech delays.

 

The mouth and the ears can both be a part of this. If a child isn’t able to properly move the tongue and mouth to form words, it will hinder any progress in speech. Similarly, a child who is having trouble hearing won’t be able to take in sounds in order to mimic or hear themselves as they try to speak, leading to garbled speech. Issues like these can be addressed through speech therapy and some other forms of intervention as needed.

 

Chiropractic Care for Speech Development

 

At Vitality Precision Chiropractic, Dr. Thomas Madigan and Dr. Brendan Shanahan see a link between these speech delays and the health of a child’s spine. Because the spine is connected to the brain through the spinal cord, proper alignment of the spine can allow the body to function more smoothly. The lack of interference between the brain and spine allows signals to be sent properly, making speech smoother and easier to achieve.

 

While speech delays can often begin in the mouth or ears, a Rochester Hills chiropractor knows that the body is an extremely interconnected system that seeks to heal itself when possible. By working on overall health, chiropractors are able to facilitate this healing and free up energy for the body to properly focus on speech delays, helping the brain to make progress that was lacking previously.

 

Chiropractic care is also a safe, non-invasive treatment method, making it a great option for children. Rather than jumping to medication or even surgeries, chiropractic care can be part of an early intervention program designed to give children the tools they need to begin developing proper speech skills. If you feel your child would benefit from this, contact Vitality Precision Chiropractic today.