What is Chiropractic Paediatrics?
Chiropractic Paediatrics is the practice of chiropractic concerned with the care of infants and children. AHPRA and the Chiropractor's Board of Australia (CBA) do not currently permit any chiropractor to use the title "Paediatric Chiropractor" no matter what their training is and no matter how they practise. This makes it very difficult for the public and the medical profession to locate and identify chiropractors with advanced training and experience in chiropractic paediatrics.
Is chiropractic care for infants safe?
An extensive search was undertaken by Safer Care Victoria on behalf of the Victorian Government during 2019 to identify evidence of harm sustained by children who had received spinal manipulation. This included a literature review by Cochrane Australia, capture of patient complaints and practitioner notification data from Australian complaints and regulatory agencies, capture of Australian insurance claim data from the primary insurers for registered chiropractors, and stakeholder feedback from both online consultations. This extensive search identified very little evidence of patient harm occurring in Australia. In particular, there were no patient complaints or practitioner notifications that arose from significant harm to a child following spinal manipulation.
The Queensland Office of the Health Ombudsman reported that since its inception on 1 July 2014 it has not received any complaints relating to spinal manipulation of children under 12 years.
The Victorian Health Complaints Commissioner (HCC) reported no complaints against a chiropractor related to the treatment of a child
No cases were reported where an insurance agent has had to defend or settle such a claim.
The public responses indicated very strong consumer satisfaction. Of all respondents, 99.7% (21,750) reported a positive experience with the chiropractic care of their children.
The overwhelming majority of parents/guardians reported that chiropractic spinal care helped their child, with 98% (21,474) indicating that their child improved after treatment.
A 2019 prospective observational study collected data from 1092 mothers of infants receiving chiropractic care. In total, 82% (n = 797) reported definite improvement of their infants on a global impression of change scale. As well, 95% (n = 475) reported feeling that the care was cost-effective, and 90.9% (n = 712) rated their satisfaction 8 or higher on an 11-point scale. Minor self-limiting side effects were reported (5.8%, n = 42/727) but no adverse events. (Miller et al, 2019)
Chiropractic care carries low risk for children because chiropractors are trained to suitably modify techniques to suit the child’s age, muscle development and presentation. These are gentle and precise procedures.
What post graduate training in chiropractic paediatrics is available for chiropractors?
There are a number of postgraduate programs available for chiropractors.
The most comprehensive program available in Australia is the "Fellow of Australian College of Chiropractic Paediatrics" (FACCP) conducted by Chiropaeds Australia. This is a three year full time program. Currently the only graduate from this program is Dr Adam Stewart (Chiropractor). Dr Christian Fludder (Chiropractor) is currently enrolled in the Fellowship. Dr Louise Nelson (Chiropractor) is half way through the Fellowship program. The Fellowship program was written and is supervised by Dr Braden Keil (Chiropractor).
The next highest chiropractic paediatric program available was a Master degree in Chiropractic Paediatrics offered by RMIT University (Three year part time). Dr Braden Keil completed this program in 1998. There are only two other chiropractors in Victoria to have completed the Master program.
The third highest level of training available in Australia is the Diplomate of Australian College of Chiropractic Paediatrics (DACCP) which is offered by Chiropaeds Australia and was written by Dr Braden Keil. This program commenced in 2013 and the first cohort completed their studies in December 2014. The Diplomate program is two years part time and is available throughout Australia. Dr Christian Fludder (Chiropractor) and Dr Leanne Repka (Chiropractor) have both completed their Diplomate qualification and are enrolled in the Fellowship program.
The fourth highest level of training available to chiropractors in Australia is the Certificate of Chiropractic Paediatrics. This is a one year part time program offered by Chiropaeds Australia and was written by Dr Braden Keil. This program has been available from 2005 and about 400 chiropractors in Australia have completed this qualification.
Are the chiropractors at Chiropractic Children's Healthcare Specialist Chiropractors?
The answer to this question is "NO". Dr Keil has completed a Master degree in Chiropractic Paediatrics whilst Dr Fludder and Dr Repka have completed a Diplomate in Chiropractic Paediatrics. However, the new federal registration agency for health providers (AHPRA) has refused to recognise specialist status for chiropractors, osteopaths and physiotherapists in Australia. As such, even though post graduate qualifications held by Dr Keil Dr Fludder and Dr Repka may allow them to apply for specialist recognition in other jurisdictions recognising chiropractic and even though they only treat infants and children, they cannot call themselves a "specialist" in Australia. Hopefully this will change in the near future.
Do you need to be referred to Chiropractic Children's Healthcare?
Whilst many of our patients are referred to see us by paediatricians, medical practitioners, lactation consultants, maternal and child health nurses, chiropractors, osteopaths and other health professionals you do not need a medical referral.
What happens when I bring my infant or child to see one of the chiropractors at Chiropractic Children's Healthcare?
When you bring your infant or child to see one of the chiropractors at Chiropractic Children's Healthcare the first thing you will notice is the very child friendly office and the very friendly staff. When we see your child you will be asked a very comprehensive range of questions to allow us to learn all about your child's issues as well as their past, their growth and their development. Then your child will undergo a very detailed physical examination which will be tailored for the age of your child and their main issues. Most parents are very surprised at the detailed assessment and examination we conduct and remark that no other practitioner they have seen has been as thorough. Once we know all about your child we will sit down with you and discuss our findings, if we may be able to help, what chiropractic care may be needed, what other support may be needed and what other health care practitioners we feel may be able to help their child.
Any proposed chiropractic treatment will be demonstrated to the parents and only if the parents are comfortable with the proposed treatment will their infant or child be treated. Typically children are treated at the initial visit. All chiropractic treatments used by the chiropractors at Chiropractic Children's Healthcare have been selected based on safety, effectiveness and your child's comfort. All chiropractic treatments we use are modified to suit your child's age, physical size and issues.
We aim to provide the best possible care we can for your child.