Pediatric Care in Monterey
Gentle, age-appropriate chiropractic care for children and teens in Monterey, CA — fingertip-light pressure to support healthy posture and development.
New Beginnings Chiropractic
Pediatric Care in Monterey
Children are growing fast, and their spines are along for the ride — through heavy backpacks, screen time, sports, and the occasional tumble. Pediatric chiropractic at our Monterey clinic uses extremely gentle, age-appropriate techniques to support healthy spinal development and posture, with no cracking, popping, or discomfort. Our doctors take time to earn every child's trust, and parents are always welcome in the room. If we ever feel another provider is the better fit for your child, we'll say so clearly and help coordinate that care.
How it works
What to expect with Pediatric Care
- Step 1
Child-friendly exam and parent consult
We review your child's health history with you, perform gentle orthopedic and postural testing adapted to their age, and explain what we find in plain language. We refer to your pediatrician any time a concern falls outside chiropractic scope.
- Step 2
An age-appropriate care plan
Your child receives a gentle, specific care plan — with a real endpoint — tailored to their age, size, and what we found on exam. We explain every step so both parent and child know exactly what to expect.
- Step 3
Gentle adjustments and posture guidance
Techniques use fingertip-light pressure only, completely adapted for a growing spine. We also teach simple postural habits and movement tips kids can actually use — reducing screen-time strain and supporting healthy development.
Why patients choose it
Benefits of Pediatric Care
Extremely gentle — techniques adapted to every age and size
Supports healthy spinal development and posture
Helps address "tech neck" and screen-time posture issues in kids and teens
Drug-free, non-invasive approach with no cracking or popping required
Parents always present and fully involved in every visit
Clear referral to your pediatrician any time a concern is outside our scope
The basics
About Pediatric Care
A child's spine faces real stresses from day one — birth, learning to walk, sports impacts, and hours hunched over a phone or tablet. "Tech neck" is increasingly common in kids and teenagers: sustained forward-head posture from screen use that places significant load on the developing cervical spine, leading to neck tightness, headaches, and rounded shoulders. Caught early, postural patterns like these are far easier to correct than they are in adults.
Pediatric chiropractic is not the same as adult chiropractic. The pressure used is dramatically lighter — often no more than a fingertip resting on the skin — and the techniques are fully adapted to each age and stage of development. We never apply adult-level force to a child, and we screen every young patient thoroughly before beginning care. We work as a partner to your child's pediatrician, not a replacement for one — any concern that falls outside our scope is referred promptly and clearly.
Limited-Time Offer
$47 New Patient Special
$357 Value — Your complete first visit — one simple price.
Your Visit Includes
New patients only. Mention this special when you book. The $47 new patient special does not include shockwave treatment.
What is pediatric chiropractic care?
Pediatric chiropractic is gentle, age-appropriate spinal care for children — from school-age kids dealing with posture and backpack strain to teenagers navigating hours of screen time. The techniques look nothing like what you’d see in an adult adjustment. Pressure is adapted to a child’s size and stage of development, typically using only fingertip-light contact — no cracking, no forceful movements, no discomfort.
The goal is to support a healthy, well-aligned spine as children grow, and to catch and correct postural patterns early, when they’re far easier to address than in adulthood.
What to expect
Your child’s first visit starts with a parent consultation — our doctors review your child’s health history, any concerns you’ve noticed (posture, frequent headaches, neck tightness), and what to expect from a pediatric exam. The exam itself is gentle and adapted to your child’s age: we look at posture, spinal alignment, and movement, and we use simple orthopedic tests appropriate for kids.
We explain everything we find in plain language, and you’ll receive a clear, time-bound care plan with a specific endpoint before any care begins. You are always in the room — your child is never alone with the provider, and the visit stops immediately if your child is uncomfortable.
Treatment uses very light, targeted pressure. Most children are surprised by how gentle it is, and many relax completely during the visit. We also spend time on practical guidance — simple posture habits, ergonomic tips for homework and screen time, and stretches kids can actually do — so the benefits carry into daily life.
Who it helps
Pediatric chiropractic is most appropriate for children and teens with:
- Poor posture — rounded shoulders, forward-head posture (“tech neck”), or a noticeable lean or tilt noticed by a parent, coach, or teacher
- Headaches linked to neck tension or posture, not to an underlying medical condition (we refer to the pediatrician for any headaches that need further evaluation)
- Spinal tightness or restricted movement from sports, heavy backpacks, or repetitive strain
- A family history of early spinal problems where parents want proactive, conservative monitoring
We are careful and conservative about scope. We do not claim to treat medical conditions — if your child’s concern falls outside postural or spinal health, we say so clearly and help you connect with the right provider.
Why choose New Beginnings Chiropractic
Families from Monterey, Seaside, Pacific Grove, and Carmel trust us with their children because we are straightforward about what chiropractic can and cannot do, and because we take the time to earn every child’s comfort before we begin care. Our doctors combine gentle, evidence-based technique with a clear referral protocol — so you always know your child is getting the right care from the right provider.
If you’re curious whether pediatric chiropractic is the right fit for your child, our New Patient Special makes the first visit easy and low-commitment, and you can book an appointment online in under a minute. We’re happy to answer questions by phone before you schedule.
What it helps
Conditions we treat with Pediatric Care
Is chiropractic care safe for children?+
When performed by a trained chiropractor using age-appropriate techniques, pediatric chiropractic is considered safe. The pressure used for infants and young children is extremely light — comparable to a gentle fingertip touch — and is nothing like the techniques used for adults. We screen every young patient carefully before beginning care, and we refer to your pediatrician whenever a concern falls outside our scope.
What age can children start chiropractic care?+
We see children of all ages. Techniques and pressure are fully adapted to the child's age, size, and stage of development. If you have any questions about whether your child is a good candidate, give us a call and we'll walk you through it before you book.
Does it hurt?+
No. Pediatric techniques use very light, gentle pressure — most children feel nothing more than a soft touch, and many fall asleep during a visit. We go at every child's pace and stop immediately if they are uncomfortable. You'll be in the room the whole time.
Can chiropractic help my child's posture?+
Yes — postural issues like "tech neck" (forward-head posture from phone and tablet use) and rounded shoulders respond well to gentle chiropractic care paired with simple at-home habits. Catching and correcting these patterns early, while the spine is still developing, tends to give the best long-term results.
Can chiropractic treat colic, ear infections, or ADHD in children?+
We are honest about scope — we do not claim to treat medical conditions like colic, ear infections, or ADHD. Our focus is spinal and postural health. If your child has a medical concern, the right starting point is your pediatrician. We are happy to work alongside their medical care team, but never as a substitute for it.
Will my child need X-rays?+
Not routinely. Most pediatric patients do not need imaging. If your child's history or exam raises a concern that requires an X-ray or other imaging, we discuss it with you first, use the lowest appropriate exposure, and share findings with your pediatrician.
How many visits will my child need?+
It depends on what we find. After the exam, our doctors give you a clear, time-bound care plan with a specific endpoint — not open-ended visits. Many families see meaningful improvement within a handful of sessions.
Will my insurance cover pediatric chiropractic?+
Many insurance plans that cover chiropractic for adults also cover it for children. We verify benefits before the first visit and walk you through what's covered. Affordable self-pay options are available if your plan doesn't include it.
Can I stay in the room with my child?+
Absolutely — parents are always welcome and encouraged to be present throughout every visit. We explain what we're doing as we go, and your child can stop the visit at any time.
What is "tech neck" in children and teens?+
Tech neck is a posture pattern caused by sustained forward-head position while looking down at phones, tablets, or laptops. It places extra load on the developing cervical spine and can lead to neck tightness, headaches, and rounded shoulders. We see it increasingly in school-age children and teenagers. Gentle chiropractic care combined with simple screen-time posture habits can help correct it early — before it becomes a chronic adult problem.
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Patient reviews
What our Monterey patients say
“I’ve been seeing Dr(Richard) Westbrook for about 25 yrs. My go-to for injuries, maintenance, and great conversation . Also to keep my immune system up. A true partner in healing. I mean the guy even “walked me through” menopause pretty much unscathed which is quite a recommendation. And is also now my partner in aging well. I think his work has been one of the reasons I’m upright, and look and feel younger than most 75 yr olds ( who don’t exercise regularly .) If you need someone to truly listen to you and heal and help you feel better he’s by far the best.”
“I have been a patient of Dr. Westbrook’s since 2010. Whenever I need chiropractic care, he is someone I trust completely. Dr. Westbrook is kind, professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely attentive to his patients’ individual needs. He takes the time to listen and has always made me feel comfortable and cared for. He is also incredibly accommodating with scheduling and has gone out of his way several times to fit me in when I needed an appointment on short notice. That level of care means a great deal to me. I especially appreciate his approach because I have had experiences with other chiropractors who were too rough and left me feeling nervous and afraid during adjustments. I have never felt that way with Dr. Westbrook. I trust him 100% and always feel that my comfort and safety are important to him. He offers both manual adjustments and the Activator technique, which I also appreciate. In all the years I have seen him, there was only one occasion when something did not feel quite right after an adjustment. When I contacted him, he got me back into the office right away, addressed the problem, and I left feeling great. That experience actually gave me even more confidence in the level of care he provides. Dr. Westbrook also has a wonderful personality and sense of humor. He makes you feel at ease while still maintaining a high level of professionalism. I always enjoy seeing him, and I consistently leave my appointments feeling better than when I walked in. His wife is also a chiropractor in the practice and has always been extremely kind and professional, although I personally see Dr. Westbrook most often. The entire office is clean, comfortable, and inviting, and the front desk staff are always friendly and welcoming. I enjoy their water massage chairs as well! After knowing the Westbrooks and returning to their practice for more than 15 years, I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for compassionate, professional chiropractic care. Finding a chiropractor you genuinely trust is so important, and I am very grateful to have found that with the Westbrooks.”
“Dr. Richard Westbrook has been my chiropractor for years and years and years. He is great at both providing temporary relief when you are in pain and also helping you prevent future problems. His latest addition to his office is a Shockwave machine, which is an amazing device for treating chronic pain. Be sure to ask him about it!”