Drug-Free Relief for Children

Pediatric chiropractic care is a non-invasive, drug-free approach to treating musculoskeletal pain, postural problems, and movement issues in children and adolescents. Clinicians use gentle, age-appropriate adjustments, adapted for developing bodies, to ease joint tension and restore healthy spinal alignment. 

Research shows the annual prevalence of low back pain reaches 33.6% in children and adolescents under 18. That’s far more common than most parents realize, and untreated childhood back pain often persists into adulthood. If your child’s been dealing with pain, postural issues, or sports injuries, RxWellness Spine & Health can help. We offer pediatric chiropractic as part of a personalized, multidisciplinary care plan built around their specific needs.

New to RxWellness? Your first visit — consultation, examination, and treatment — is just $19. Book your new patient appointment online today!

Key Takeaways

• Pediatric chiropractic uses gentle, low-force adjustments to treat pain in growing bodies
• Non-surgical solution for back pain, scoliosis, headaches, and youth sports injuries
• Integrated with physical rehabilitation for a complete, coordinated pediatric care plan
• In-office sessions with no downtime, no surgery, and no medication required
• RxWellness has 12 locations conveniently located throughout Northern Virginia and Maryland
• Most major insurance plans are accepted, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Cigna
• Our board-certified clinical team provides pediatric care under physician oversight at every location

What Is Pediatric Chiropractic Care and How Does It Work?

Pediatric chiropractic applies the principles of spinal and joint health to younger patients. Children’s bones, joints, and soft tissues are still developing. Our clinical team modifies every technique for pediatric patients, using lower force, precise targeting, and age-appropriate methods throughout.

The adjustments don’t involve the high-pressure methods used on adults. Our clinicians use light manual contact or instrument-assisted tools to mobilize joints, ease nerve tension, and restore movement. Many children find sessions comfortable, and some younger patients fall asleep during treatment.

How pediatric chiropractic works:

• Our clinicians evaluate spinal alignment, posture, and restricted joint movement before treatment begins
• Low-force adjustments gently mobilize affected segments using age-appropriate pressure levels
• Soft tissue techniques ease muscle tension surrounding restricted joints
• Instrument-assisted tools provide precise control for infants and toddlers
• Sessions adapt to each child’s response and progress at every visit

What Conditions Does Pediatric Chiropractic Care Treat?

Pediatric chiropractic works best when there’s a defined musculoskeletal component to your child’s symptoms. That means pain or dysfunction tied to the spine, joints, or surrounding soft tissues. Our clinical team evaluates every patient before recommending treatment to confirm it’s the right fit.

Conditions commonly treated with pediatric chiropractic:

• Back and neck pain from postural strain, heavy backpacks, or sports activity
• Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (mild to moderate curves under active clinical monitoring)
• Tension and recurrent headaches with a cervical or spinal component
• Sports injuries involving the spine, hips, shoulders, or pelvis
• Growing pains and joint discomfort in physically active children
• Torticollis (restricted neck movement in infants and young children)
• Postural imbalances from prolonged screen time or sedentary habits

Not sure if your child qualifies? Our team will evaluate them thoroughly and recommend the most appropriate path forward.

What Should You Expect During Pediatric Chiropractic Treatment?

Your child’s experience at RxWellness starts before the first adjustment. Our clinical team takes the time to review your child’s health history, observe posture, and understand your child’s symptoms before anything begins. Nothing happens without your full informed consent, and we adapt our approach at every visit based on how your child responds.

Most sessions last 20 to 30 minutes. They’re comfortable and don’t require special preparation.

What the process looks like:

• Consultation and history review: Your clinical team discusses your child’s symptoms, health background, and activity level
• Physical and postural evaluation: The team assesses spinal alignment, range of motion, and joint function
• Care plan discussion: Your clinical team sets treatment frequency and goals based on your child’s condition
• First treatment session: Your clinician applies gentle, low-force adjustments using age-appropriate techniques
• Progress check: Your clinical team documents your child’s response and reviews next steps before you leave

What to expect after sessions:

• Most children return to normal activity right after treatment
• Mild muscle soreness may occur during the first one or two sessions
• Improvement typically becomes noticeable within two to four weeks of consistent care

Whether pediatric chiropractic is the right fit depends on your child’s age, health history, and specific condition. The next section covers candidacy in detail.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Pediatric Chiropractic Care?

Pediatric chiropractic works well for children and teens whose musculoskeletal complaints haven’t improved with rest or basic conservative care. Good candidates have a defined structural component to their pain. They’re also generally in good health, without fractures, active infections, or spinal implants.

Good candidates include children and teens who:

• Have back, neck, or hip pain from posture, sports, or growth-related strain
• Experience recurrent headaches with a spinal or cervical component
• Have mild to moderate adolescent idiopathic scoliosis under clinical monitoring
• Are recovering from a sports injury involving the spine, joints, or soft tissue
• Want a drug-free option before considering more invasive procedures

Who should consult our team before starting treatment:

• Children with bone fractures, spinal tumors, or active spinal infections
• Patients with severe osteoporosis or significant spinal instability
• Children who’ve had recent spinal surgery or have hardware implants

Musculoskeletal complaints account for the majority of pediatric chiropractic visits, including back and neck pain and sports injuries. Our clinical team evaluates every child individually before making any recommendations.

Not sure if pediatric chiropractic is right for your child? Our clinical team will evaluate their condition and recommend the best path forward. Schedule your consultation online — or call your nearest RxWellness location.

Why Choose RxWellness Spine & Health for Pediatric Chiropractic Care?

RxWellness Spine & Health brings pediatric chiropractic into a fully coordinated, multidisciplinary care environment. Your child’s plan doesn’t stop at adjustments. Our clinical team draws from physical rehabilitation, corrective exercise, and medical oversight to address both symptoms and their underlying cause.

• 150,000+ patients treated across all RxWellness locations
• 7,500+ five-star reviews from patients across Virginia and Maryland
• INC 5000 ranked #1,523 (2025), three consecutive years as one of America’s fastest-growing companies
• Inc. Regionals Mid-Atlantic #45 (2025)
• 12 state-of-the-art facilities across Virginia and Maryland
• Board-certified clinical team under physician oversight at every location
• Most major insurance plans accepted at all locations
• Same-day and next-day appointments available

That care philosophy rests on a structured treatment model designed to guide your child through recovery, phase by phase.

The RxWellness Three-Phase Care Model

Children and teens rarely recover in a single phase. At RxWellness, pediatric care follows a three-step progression designed to address your child’s condition at every stage:

• Phase 1 Relief Care: The first priority is to reduce your child’s pain and calm inflammation. Visits are more frequent here, with a focus on stabilizing the condition and restoring baseline comfort.
• Phase 2 Corrective Care: Once symptoms improve, the focus shifts to the structural issues driving the problem. Rehabilitation and targeted exercises build strength and correct posture, with visits becoming less frequent.
• Phase 3 Wellness Care: This phase holds onto the progress your child has made. Periodic check-ins, supportive therapies, and lifestyle guidance keep their spine healthy and reduce the risk of future problems.

Most insurance plans at RxWellness cover pediatric chiropractic. Here’s what you need to know.

Does Insurance Cover Pediatric Chiropractic at RxWellness?

Yes. RxWellness Spine & Health accepts most major insurance plans at all 12 locations. Pediatric chiropractic typically falls under chiropractic or musculoskeletal benefits.

Accepted insurance carriers include:

• Aetna
• Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS)
• CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Cigna
• FSBP
• GEHA
• Medicare (all locations except Arlington)
• UnitedHealthcare (UHC)
• Johns Hopkins EHP (Baltimore, Laurel, and Silver Spring locations only)

Auto insurance and workers’ comp:

RxWellness works directly with auto insurance carriers when your child’s symptoms follow a car accident. In most cases, patients pay nothing out of pocket. RxWellness bills workers’ compensation claims directly to the employer’s carrier.

Coverage varies by plan and service. Call your nearest RxWellness location before your first visit to confirm your child’s specific benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pediatric Chiropractic Care

Is pediatric chiropractic safe for infants and young children?

Most research supports the safety of pediatric chiropractic when trained clinicians use age-appropriate techniques. Unlike the higher-force adjustments adults receive, the methods used on children are gentle and low-load by design. Serious adverse events are rare, and most children experience no discomfort during or after treatment. Before starting care, our clinical team evaluates your child’s age, health history, and condition to confirm that the approach is appropriate.

Does insurance cover pediatric chiropractic care?

Most major insurance plans accepted at RxWellness include coverage for pediatric chiropractic under chiropractic or musculoskeletal benefits. Accepted carriers include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare, among others. Coverage limits and specific benefits vary by plan. Call your nearest RxWellness location before your first visit to verify your child’s exact benefits.

How long does pediatric chiropractic care take to work?

Many children and teens begin noticing improvement within the first two to four weeks of consistent treatment. The timeline depends on the severity of the condition, your child’s age, and their response to the initial sessions. A standard care course typically involves regular visits over a six to twelve-week period. Your child’s clinical team monitors progress and adjusts the plan as the condition improves.

What should I expect at my child’s first pediatric chiropractic appointment at RxWellness?

The first visit includes a consultation, clinical evaluation, and a first treatment session for $19 for new patients. Your provider reviews your child’s health history, postural findings, and any available imaging before building a care plan. Treatment begins in that same visit using gentle, age-appropriate techniques. Your clinical team walks you through every step before applying anything.

Who is the best candidate for pediatric chiropractic care?

The best candidates are children and teens with musculoskeletal complaints like back pain, neck pain, headaches, or sports injuries. They’re typically in good general health without fractures, spinal hardware, or active infections. Kids who’ve been relying on over-the-counter pain relief without lasting results are strong candidates for conservative chiropractic care. Our clinical team evaluates every pediatric patient individually to confirm treatment is appropriate before it begins.

Find Drug-Free Relief for Your Child at RxWellness Spine & Health

Pediatric chiropractic gives children a safe, non-surgical path to relief from back pain, sports injuries, and postural issues. With 12 locations across Virginia and Maryland, RxWellness makes consistent, quality pediatric care easy to access close to home. Our clinical team combines chiropractic adjustments with rehabilitation to address your child’s symptoms and their underlying cause. You won’t find a one-size-fits-all approach here. Our team tailors every care plan to your child’s needs, age, and goals.

Schedule your child’s $19 new patient visit online today and take the first step toward lasting relief!

Serving patients across Northern Virginia and Maryland, including Herndon, Ashburn, Arlington, Vienna, Alexandria, Aldie, Tysons, Baltimore, Bowie, Laurel, Rockville, and Silver Spring.