Paediatric Chiropractic Treatment in Harborne, Birmingham

Children are not just small adults, and their bodies do not experience the same problems in the same way. But children do get musculoskeletal pain — more often than many parents realise. A heavy school bag carried on one shoulder every day, hours spent hunched over a tablet or gaming console, a growth spurt that leaves their muscles struggling to keep up with their bones, a tumble during football practice, a gymnastics landing that did not go quite right. These are all things we see regularly at our Harborne clinic. What makes treating children different is that their bodies are still developing. Their bones are still growing, their joints are more flexible, and the techniques we use are adapted to reflect that. There is no forceful cracking or heavy manipulation. Treatment for children is gentle — very gentle. For younger children, the pressure we use is comparable to what you would use to press on a ripe tomato without breaking the skin. For older children and teenagers, we use slightly more pressure, but it is still considerably lighter than adult treatment. Parents sometimes worry about bringing their child to a chiropractor because they picture what adult treatment looks like. Paediatric chiropractic is nothing like that. The most common response from children during treatment is that it tickles. We see children at our clinic for a range of issues — postural problems from heavy bags or screen time, growing pains, sports injuries from school and club activities, back or neck pain that they have been complaining about but that nobody has been able to explain. Many children in the Harborne and wider Birmingham area are involved in competitive sport, and we regularly treat young athletes with overuse injuries, joint strains, and muscle tightness. If your child is complaining of pain that is not going away, or if you have noticed their posture deteriorating, it is worth having them assessed. The earlier these things are addressed, the simpler they are to correct.

  • Complaints of back or neck pain
  • Noticeably poor posture — rounded shoulders, head forward
  • Growing pains — aching in the legs, particularly at night
  • Sports-related aches and strains that are not improving
  • Difficulty sitting still or concentrating, potentially related to discomfort
  • Limping or reluctance to take part in physical activity

How We Treat Paediatric Chiropractic

Very Gentle Chiropractic Techniques

Treatment for children uses significantly less force than adult treatment. For younger children (under 10), we use fingertip pressure and gentle mobilisation that is so light most children barely notice it. For teenagers, we use slightly firmer techniques but still well within what is comfortable. There is no sudden cracking or forceful manipulation. We explain every step to the child before we do it, so there are no surprises. Most children find the treatment comfortable and even enjoyable. The techniques we use are designed to improve joint movement, reduce muscle tension, and help the developing musculoskeletal system function as well as it can.

Posture Assessment and Correction

Poor posture is one of the most common issues we see in school-age children and teenagers. Heavy school bags (often carried on one shoulder), hours of screen time with the head tilted forward, and long periods sitting in school chairs that do not support the spine — these all contribute to postural problems that can cause pain and, if left uncorrected, become harder to address as the child grows. We carry out a detailed posture assessment, looking at the spine from the front, side, and back. We photograph the posture (with your consent) so you and your child can see what we see. Then we provide specific, practical advice — how to adjust the school bag, where to position the screen, exercises to strengthen the muscles that hold good posture. We make it age-appropriate and achievable, because a child will only do exercises they understand and can remember.

Exercise Advice for Parents and Children

We give clear, simple exercises that children can do at home, usually with a parent's help. For younger children, we turn exercises into games or challenges to keep them engaged. For teenagers, we give them ownership of their programme and explain why each exercise matters. The exercises focus on strengthening weak muscles, stretching tight ones, and improving body awareness. We keep it practical — five minutes a day of the right exercises is far better than a complicated programme that never gets done. We also advise parents on how much activity is appropriate, when rest is needed, and how to tell the difference between normal post-exercise soreness and something that needs attention.

Sports Injury Management

Children and teenagers involved in sport are prone to specific types of injury. Growth plate stress, Osgood-Schlatter disease (knee pain in active adolescents), Sever's disease (heel pain in growing feet), muscle strains from inadequate warm-up, and overuse injuries from training too much too soon. We assess these injuries carefully, because treating a growing body requires different considerations than treating an adult. We work with the child and their parents (and their coach, where appropriate) to manage the injury, modify training as needed, and prevent recurrence. The goal is always to get them back to the sport they love as safely and quickly as possible.

What to Expect

Your child's first appointment lasts 30 minutes. We start by talking to both you and your child about the problem — when it started, what makes it better or worse, what activities they are doing, and whether the pain affects their school work or sport. We ask about their general health, any previous injuries, and their daily routine (how much screen time, what sport they play, how they carry their school bag). The physical examination is age-appropriate and explained step by step to your child so they know what is happening. We assess their posture, spinal movement, muscle strength, and flexibility. For younger children, much of the assessment is observation-based — watching how they move, stand, and sit. We explain everything we find to both you and your child in language that makes sense. If treatment is appropriate, we begin in the first session using very gentle techniques. A parent or guardian stays in the room throughout every appointment. Under 18 pricing is £38 per session.

1

Initial assessment — 30 minutes

2

Treatment begins in your first appointment

3

Ongoing plan — most patients need 4 sessions

Common Questions About Paediatric Chiropractic

Is chiropractic safe for children?
Yes. Paediatric chiropractic uses very gentle techniques that are specifically adapted for growing bodies. The pressure used on children is significantly lighter than adult treatment — for young children, it is comparable to the pressure you would use to test whether a tomato is ripe. Adverse events from paediatric chiropractic are extremely rare. All our chiropractors are GCC registered and Ifza has undertaken additional training in treating children.
What age can children be treated?
We treat children from around five years old upwards at our clinic. For children under five with musculoskeletal concerns, we may assess them and advise on whether chiropractic treatment is appropriate or whether a referral to a paediatric specialist would be more suitable. There is no upper age limit — we treat children, teenagers, and adolescents through to adulthood.
Do parents stay in the room?
Always. A parent or guardian is present throughout every appointment for patients under 18. This is our policy without exception. We want you to see exactly what we do, hear what we explain, and be part of the conversation about your child's treatment and progress.
How is treatment different from adult chiropractic?
The techniques are much gentler, the sessions are shorter, and the approach is more playful and interactive. We do not use forceful spinal manipulation on children. The assessment is adapted to be age-appropriate — for younger children, much of it is observation-based. We also involve the child in understanding their body and their treatment, at a level that suits their age.
My child has growing pains — can you help?
Growing pains are common in children between 3 and 12, usually felt as aching in the legs, particularly in the evening or at night. While growing pains are generally harmless, persistent or severe pain should be assessed to rule out other causes. We can examine your child to make sure nothing else is going on, and in many cases, gentle treatment and specific stretches can help reduce the discomfort.
How much does treatment cost for children?
The student and under 18 rate is £38 per session. The first appointment lasts 30 minutes and includes a full assessment and, where appropriate, treatment. Follow-up appointments are also £38. Most children need around four sessions, though this varies depending on the issue.
Dr Ifza Haroon

Your Practitioner

Dr Ifza Haroon

DC, MChiro, GCC Registered

Ifza has a growing interest in paediatric chiropractic and has undertaken additional training in treating children and adolescents. She is patient, approachable, and has a natural ability to put children at ease — which matters enormously when a child is nervous about seeing a new practitioner. Ifza takes time to explain what she is doing to the child, not just the parent, and adjusts her communication style depending on the age of the patient. She regularly treats children involved in school and club sport across Birmingham, from gymnasts and swimmers to young footballers and rugby players. Ifza works closely with parents to develop practical advice that fits into the family's routine, whether that is a simple exercise programme, adjustments to a school bag, or changes to screen time habits.

What Patients Say

My 12-year-old daughter had been complaining about upper back pain for months. Her school bag was enormous and she was spending hours on her phone with her head down. Ifza assessed her posture, showed us both where the problems were, and gave her exercises that actually made sense to a 12-year-old. Three sessions in and the pain has stopped. The posture advice was practical and easy to follow. Really glad we came.

Karen P. ★★★★★

Brought my son in after he developed knee pain from football. He is 14 and trains four times a week. Ifza diagnosed Osgood-Schlatter disease, explained what it was in a way he understood, and gave him a clear plan for managing it without having to stop playing completely. He felt listened to and taken seriously, which at 14 matters a lot. The Harborne clinic is welcoming and the team made him feel comfortable from the start.

David C. ★★★★★

My 8-year-old was getting bad growing pains at night and not sleeping well because of it. Our GP said it was normal growing pains, which was probably right, but we wanted to check. Ifza examined him thoroughly, confirmed it was growing pains, and showed us some stretches to do before bedtime. The pains have reduced noticeably. She was so good with him — patient, gentle, and explained everything at his level. He actually wants to go back.

Samira J. ★★★★★

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Same-week appointments available. No GP referral needed.

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