Parents bringing a child in for the first time usually have the same unspoken question: is this going to look like what happens when Dr. Devine adjusts an adult? The short answer is no, and understanding the difference tends to ease most of the hesitation.
The Force Difference
Adult adjustments use a specific, controlled force matched to an adult-sized joint. Pediatric adjustments, especially for infants and toddlers, use dramatically less force, often compared to the light pressure you’d use to check whether a tomato is ripe. For older kids and teens, the force scales up somewhat but still stays well below adult levels.
What the Exam Actually Involves
The visit starts with a conversation about your child’s history, birth details for infants, current concerns, and daily activities. From there, it’s a gentle, age-appropriate movement and posture assessment, watching how they move rather than anything invasive.
Why Parents Are Encouraged to Stay Involved
Unlike a typical adult visit, parents are welcome to hold, position, or comfort their child throughout. Keeping things calm and familiar matters more for a good outcome than any specific clinical technique.
Schedule Your Child’s First Visit, (503) 495-3454