Q & A: Ellie Ryan, DC
I'm so happy to share this question and answer with Ellie Ryan, DC! She is an excellent chiropractor who sees patients of all ages including prenatal, postpartum and pediatric care. I last saw her a few days ago on my way home from a birth, and went home for my nap feeling right as rain! 😊 Since several of my clients have recently shared how much chiropractic helped their babies I asked Dr. Ellie if she would share a little about how she helps her tiniest patients. Read on to hear directly from Dr. Ellie.
Q: Would you please share a little about your background and what led you to chiropractic?
A: I grew up in Wisconsin and always knew I wanted to do something in the medical field. I discovered chiropractic during my undergraduate years at University of MN Rochester and knew it was for me. I was really drawn to the holistic, non-invasive approach. I then completed my Doctor of Chiropractic at National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, IL. I now work for LSM Chiropractic on the east side of Madison.
Q: What types of patients do you see?
A: I see all types of patients. In fact, I have seen babies as young as a few days old, all the way up to patients in their 90s and above. I recently treated a 100 year old woman!
Q: Can you talk a little about how you do pediatric adjustments?
A: Pediatric adjustments look quite different from adult adjustments, especially in newborns and infants. The adjustment is extremely light and very gentle. Some newborns even sleep right through their adjustment.
Photo by Charles Deluvio
Q: When might a parent decide to bring their baby or child in to see you?
A: There are a variety of reasons a parent may decide to try chiropractic care for their child. Some parents bring their newborn in right after birth, as the labor and delivery process can be quite traumatic on a baby's tiny spine. Older babies and children may be seen for care for nursing difficulties, torticollis, sleeping troubles, or gastrointestinal upset or dysfunction.
Q: What can patients expect during their first visit if they come to see you?
A: A typical first visit would begin with gathering information regarding your child's health history. I would then sit down with you and your child to discuss the reason for your visit and address any concerns you may have. Then, I would conduct an examination and perform an adjustment on the necessary areas. We would then discuss a treatment plan for your child to determine the frequency of care. Children typically respond rather quickly, so it doesn't usually take much time to see a change. All our LSM offices are currently open and accepting new patients. We are taking some some special precautions including; cleaning all equipment in between patient uses and sanitizing high touch areas.