More Moms Favoring Chiropractic Care for their Kids

Alternative Solutions for Childhood Wellness.

By Pat Darcey

Sure, winters at the Jersey Shore are considered mild by comparison, but ask any Jersey Shore mom and she’ll tell you there’s nothing mild about her youngster coming down with a cold, the flu, a fever, an earache and the like.  Statistics show that often, a pediatrician will prescribe an antibiotic for many of these childhood ailments, “but there is a definite downside to taking that course of action,” notes Dr. Tony Garrow, DC, of Sea Girt.  “There are actually ‘super-bugs’ that show resistance to many antibiotic formulas.”  He cites an article in the Journal of the American Medical Association, (JAMA).  “The spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is associated with antibiotic use. Children receive a significant proportion of the antibiotics prescribed each year and represent an important target group for efforts aimed at reducing unnecessary antibiotic use.

Dr. Tony adds that kids who are regularly medicated with antibiotics may require heavier and stronger doses of the antibiotic to combat the more powerful bacteria. “There is great concern,” Dr. Tony says, “that at some point, should a child really need an antibiotic in a life threatening situation, the prescribed drug may not do the job.”

Neil’s Story

Dr. Tony talks about the case of one of his young patients, “Neil,” who had severe earaches.  “Neil’s mom brought her son to our office because he suffered with chronic ear infections and no course of treatment seemed to be helping.”  Dr. Tony adds that young Neil was “surgery bound,” and had been on antibiotics most of his life, concluding with 45 straight days of medication that produced no positive results. 

Using the benefits of chiropractic to maintain the youngster’s spinal alignment, Dr. Tony notes that Neil became completely free of ear infections. Now three years later, says Neil’s mom, “My son hasn’t had an ear infection since the day he walked into Dr. Tony’s office. It’s a mother’s dream.”

Meet Dr. Tony

Dr. Tony Garrow, just entering his tenth year in private practice, owns Garrow Family Chiropractic at 2204 Route 35, Sea Girt.  No stranger to the greater Wall Township area, Dr. Tony is Past President and current Vice President of the Wall Chamber of Commerce and President of the Jersey Shore Health Alliance.  He is an integral part of the Wall community’s annual Kid’s Day America, but perhaps most impressive for this young, vibrant Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Tony was chosen Best Chiropractor in Monmouth County for the years 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Obviously, with good reason...

Kathy L.’s Story

“At five months old, my son had his first cold and ear infection.  His pediatrician prescribed antibiotics.  I asked if there was perhaps a different course of action but was assured there was not.  Five months passed and my son’s ear infections persisted.  Then, a friend suggested I take him to see Dr. Tony Garrow.
I had never thought of bringing my baby to a chiropractor but I was looking for answers so I called and made the appointment. Needless to say, my little boy is three years old now and has been completely free of ear infections, thanks to the absence of antibiotics and the care he receives from Dr. Tony.”

Jill B.’s Story

“I had heard from some of my friends how chiropractic care can help kids with ear problems,” Jill says.  I was referred to Dr. Garrow and decided to try it. Jill says she believed there were inherent risks for her child’s pending surgical procedure as opposed to a risk-free appointment with Dr. Tony Garrow.  “Within two weeks under the chiropractic care of Dr. Tony,” Jill says, “the fluid in my daughter’s ear was gone!  Her pediatrician was astounded.”
Jill concludes that her daughter has been under Dr. Tony’s care for almost a year “with no recurrence of fluid or ear infection ... and no antibiotics either!”   Dr. Tony adds that antibiotics often “disrupt the body’s normal state and can actually be harmful to the body’s own immune system.”

John and Ryan’s Story

Twin sons of Joanie G., John and Ryan, both 16 at the time, were experiencing “ice pick” headaches.  Following many visits to neurologists, and after many tests, specialists could find nothing wrong. But the headaches persisted, particularly with John, who often had as many as 50 headaches a day. Joanie became concerned when their neurological doctors wanted to prescribe medication for the boys, even though they could find no basis for the headaches.  

“As a parent,” Joanie says, “I felt I needed to pursue every alternative before putting the boys on medication perhaps for the rest of their lives.  She turned to Dr. Tony Garrow.  “Dr. Garrow determined the headaches were being caused by the boys’ ‘forward head posture,’ most likely due to spending long hours with heads bent, working on their computers.  Both boys found complete relief within the first couple of treatments, Joanie says, “and now, a year later, they are totally headache free, thanks to Dr. Tony.”

Good Advice from the Doctor

Dr. Tony suggests that parents consider proper spine alignment as part of their child’s overall health regimen.  He adds that this will lead to a better functioning nervous system and an improved immune system. “Today, more and more moms are learning that getting their child’s spine checked is just as important as getting a dental check-up ... perhaps even more so,” Dr. Tony says.  He adds that as children grow into adulthood, teeth may be lost and/or replaced but the structure of the spine is in place for the rest of his or her life.

Dr. Tony Garrow’s practice is, by his own design, highly family oriented. “We treat many children, many expectant mothers, their moms, dads, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents, too!  In fact, he adds, we frequently treat all the members of the same family.

Dr. Tony notes a quote from Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, who said, "Look well to the spine for the cause of disease."  He suggests to parents who may be new to the concept of healing through chiropractic to “come into the office for a consult.”  “At Garrow Family Chiropractic,” he says, “our passion for helping children is an outgrowth of our experience with the benefits of good chiropractic care. In fact, more than 50% of our patients are young children and moms.”