--- title: "Pediatric Chiropractic in Juneau Alaska | Happy Family Chiropractic" description: "Dr. Derek Larsen DC explains pediatric chiropractic care, how children are adjusted differently than adults, and shares a success story of two brothers on the autism spectrum." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "headline": "Pediatric Chiropractic, Dedicated to the Potential of a Prized Generation.", "description": "This whole week I have been thinking about how to approach the topic of Pediatric Chiropractic in a way that would be enticing and exciting to read.", "image": "https://happyfamilychiropractic.com/images/blog-pediatric.jpg", "url": "https://happyfamilychiropractic.com/pediatric-chiropractic-dedicated-to-the-potential-of-a-prized-generation/", "datePublished": "April 27, 2021", "dateModified": "April 27, 2021", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dr. Derek Larsen, DC", "url": "https://happyfamilychiropractic.com/meet-our-local-chiropractor-in-juneau/" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Happy Family Chiropractic", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://happyfamilychiropractic.com/images/logo.png" } }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://happyfamilychiropractic.com/pediatric-chiropractic-dedicated-to-the-potential-of-a-prized-generation/" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://happyfamilychiropractic.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Blog", "item": "https://happyfamilychiropractic.com/chiropractic-patient-education-in-juneau/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Pediatric Chiropractic, Dedicated to the Potential of a Prized Generation.", "item": "https://happyfamilychiropractic.com/pediatric-chiropractic-dedicated-to-the-potential-of-a-prized-generation/" } ] } ] --- Good news. We now accept select insurance plans for chiropractic care. Now accepting select insurance plans. 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[![](/images/team-derek.jpg)Dr. Derek Larsen, DC ](/author/dr-derek-larsen/)| April 27, 2021 | 7 min read ![Child sitting on a bridge representing pediatric chiropractic care at Happy Family Chiropractic in Juneau Alaska](/images/blog-pediatric.jpg) 1. [Home](/) 2. [Blog](/chiropractic-patient-education-in-juneau/) 3. Pediatric Chiropractic, Dedicated to the Potential of a Prized Generation. Share [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fhappyfamilychiropractic.lovable.app%2Fpediatric-chiropractic-dedicated-to-the-potential-of-a-prized-generation)[](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fhappyfamilychiropractic.lovable.app%2Fpediatric-chiropractic-dedicated-to-the-potential-of-a-prized-generation) ## A Pediatric Chiropractic Success Story This whole week I have been thinking about how to approach the topic of Pediatric Chiropractic in a way that would be enticing and exciting to read. I thought my best bet would be to start out with a story of a few practice members I have been lucky enough to see at the office. I will refer to them simply as the brothers to protect them. The brothers came to me with a few health issues to say the least. They were about 3 years old when I started seeing them and they both had a diagnosis of autism. They were a handful, and I loved it. They gave me an opportunity to match the boundless energy that they brought to every visit. It was so exciting for me because all we did was play with trucks, robots and other toys in the office. Playing with them gave me the opportunity to analyze their biomechanics (how they move) which allowed me the information I needed to determine if they needed an adjustment. After I gathered enough information to determine if they needed an adjustment I would say, "Who is ready for the tap, tap, tap?" one of the brothers would almost always respond, "tap tap!" then jump onto the chiropractic table. I, along with a few other chiropractors, took care of the brothers for months and we saw some dramatic changes. The most dramatic change we saw was in how well the brother adapted to new stressors. Many times they would have huge emotional breakdowns if something had changed in their daily routine. After a few months of care these emotional breakdowns had become less frequent and less severe if they happened. They were able to adapt better to their ever changing uncontrollable environment and it was quite incredible to witness. ## Chiropractic and Autism Before I discuss this connection I want to say that chiropractic does not cure any disease, the body's innate ability to heal is what cures disease. In the research there appears to be a connection between a better functioning nervous system and decrease in symptoms. All kids, including the brothers I just talked about take tumbles. They fall down, a lot! It's part of learning how to control the developing body they possess. When they take those tumbles they are subject to what we will refer to as a trauma. If that little developing body can't adapt well to the trauma of life the spine and neck can potentially misalign. When the misalignment happens the nervous system's ability to function at 100% also decreases. Chiropractic care helps the nervous system return to normal function so that the body can heal on its own. ## Now you may be thinking, "How does a little kid get adjusted?" Let me start out by saying, it is nothing like when an adult gets adjusted. The goal is the same in that we're looking to improve overall health and well being by adjusting the spine to help improve the function of the nervous system. The means to accomplish that goal is very different. When I adjust an average adult I typically use the larger parts of my hands as well as a leverage from my own body weight. When I adjust a toddler or an infant I typically use my pinky fingers. I do this for a few reasons, first off tiny humans have tiny bones and tiny joints. Adjustments on tiny bones require more effort to be specific, that's why I utilize a small contact point like the pad of my pinky finger. I also utilize my pinky fingers because it is inherently weaker than the other fingers and I am not able to apply as much force with that finger so the adjustment becomes softer. A woodworker would not use a sledge hammer to build a jewelry box, he would use a much smaller hammer to be accurate and delicate. The same principles apply to pediatric chiropractic. ## Chiropractic is more than back and neck pain. When a child is conceived they start out as two cells combining, the sperm cell and the egg cell. At first those cells divide a bunch of times until it forms a pile of cells called the blastula. At three weeks of development the blastula starts to differentiate cell types starting with the cells that form the notochord which is the precursor to the spinal cord. The beginnings of the nervous system, this event takes place before the heart develops! The body's first step towards a functioning human being is establishing the nervous system so all the cells can communicate. The nervous system is so important, it is the first thing developed, it is our foundation. ## I wasn't adjusted as a kid and I turned out alright. That's probably true, you probably did turn out great. Your child will probably turn out great too. I think that all children should be given the best opportunity possible and chiropractic care is an opportunity to give them a boost they may not get otherwise. The potential of an unhindered nervous system is incredible and it's not worth risking hindering that potential. ## Pediatric Chiropractic in Juneau Ak. I am grateful to be a part of the International Pediatric Chiropractic Association (ICPA). I am grateful to be one of the few in the state of alaska. I am excited to continue my education through the ICPA so that I can better serve our future generations here in Juneau Alaska. I am also excited to be the pediatric chiropractor in juneau because I relate so well with the energy kids bring into practice. ### Continue Reading [ ![Illustration of temporomandibular joint and its connection to neck pain](/images/blog-tmj-neck-pain.png) #### Understanding TMJ and Neck Pain: Causes and Treatments September 12, 2025 ](/understanding-tmj-and-neck-pain-causes-and-treatments/)[ ![Stretching exercises for neck and shoulder pain relief demonstrated by chiropractor](/images/blog-neck-shoulder-pain.png) #### Neck and Shoulder Pain Relief: Tips and Exercises August 12, 2025 ](/neck-and-shoulder-pain-relief-tips-and-exercises/)[ ![Chiropractic treatment options for neck pain relief](/images/blog-treating-neck-pain.png) #### Treating Neck Pain: At-Home and Professional Remedies July 12, 2025 ](/treating-neck-pain-at-home-and-professional-remedies/) ![Dr. Derek Larsen DC at Happy Family Chiropractic in Juneau Alaska](/images/team-derek.jpg) ### Dr. Derek Larsen, DC Founder and Chiropractor Founder of Happy Family Chiropractic and the lead chiropractor in Juneau, Alaska. Dr. Derek focuses on family, prenatal, pediatric, and sports chiropractic care. [View profile](/author/dr-derek-larsen/) ### Experience Chiropractic Live in Juneau and want to feel the benefits of chiropractic care? Schedule today. [Schedule an Appointment](/book-appointment/) ### Visit Us 800 Glacier Ave, Juneau, Alaska. We're open Monday through Friday. [Book an Appointment](/book-appointment/) ![Happy Family Chiropractic](/assets/hfc-logo-white-voZj0riv.png) Your path to feeling like yourself again, through expert chiropractic care, massage therapy, and a team that genuinely likes their job. ### VISIT - 800 Glacier Ave Juneau, AK 99801 - Mon to Fri, 9am to 6pm ### REACH US - [(907) 202-8817](tel:+19072028817) - [Book online](/book-appointment/) ### EXPLORE - [Chiropractic](/services/chiropractic) - [Massage](/services/massage-therapy/) - [Insurance](/insurance/) - [Blog](/chiropractic-patient-education-in-juneau/) - [About](/about/) © 2026 Happy Family Chiropractic. 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