Children’s bodies change constantly as they grow, play, participate in sports and spend more time at school or using devices. When pain, stiffness or a movement concern begins affecting everyday activities, a musculoskeletal assessment can help clarify what may be contributing.
At Triada Health Ottawa, Dr. Courteney Werner provides individualized chiropractic care for infants, children and teenagers. Each appointment is adapted to the child’s age, comfort, health history and reason for seeking care.
Parents or guardians remain involved throughout the appointment, and treatment is only provided with informed consent.
Meet Dr. Courteney Werner
Dr. Courteney Werner, DC is a chiropractor, clinic co-owner and the primary provider of pediatric chiropractic care at Triada Health Ottawa.
She graduated with clinic honours from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College and completed clinical internships at CMCC, Sherbourne Health Centre and Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto.
Her additional training includes:
- Infant Head Shape and Torticollis
- Webster Technique
- Activator Method
- Cranial Adjusting Turner Style
- Concussion management
- Graston soft-tissue techniques
- Orthotics and gait assessment
Courteney’s approach is calm, practical and adapted to the individual child. She explains what she is assessing, gives children age-appropriate choices and adjusts the appointment according to their comfort and ability to participate.
Why Parents Seek a Pediatric Chiropractic Assessment
Parents may bring a child or teenager for assessment when they are experiencing:
- Neck or back discomfort
- Muscle or joint stiffness
- Posture-related discomfort
- Headaches associated with neck or jaw tension
- Sports or playground injuries
- Discomfort during growth or changes in activity
- Movement concerns following a minor injury
- Recurring tension related to school, backpacks or device use
A chiropractic assessment does not assume that every concern requires treatment. Courteney first considers the child’s symptoms, movement, health history and whether chiropractic care is appropriate.
When another assessment would be more suitable, families may be directed back to their physician or toward physiotherapy or another regulated healthcare provider.
What Pediatric Chiropractic Care May Include
Pediatric chiropractic care is not simply an adult treatment performed with less force. The assessment and treatment are adapted to the child’s age, size, development and ability to participate.
Depending on the child and reason for the visit, an appointment may include:
- Observation of posture and movement
- Assessment of joints and muscles
- Range-of-motion testing
- Low-force joint mobilization
- Soft-tissue techniques
- Age-appropriate movement or mobility exercises
- Backpack, activity or ergonomic guidance
- Home recommendations for parents and children
Manual adjustments are never automatic. Courteney explains any recommended technique beforehand and adapts care to the child’s comfort.
What to Expect at the First Appointment
The first visit begins with a conversation between Courteney, the child and their parent or guardian.
She may ask about:
- The main concern and when it began
- Recent falls, injuries or activity changes
- Sports and recreational activities
- School, sitting and backpack habits
- Relevant diagnoses and medical care
- What makes the symptoms better or worse
- The child’s comfort with assessment and touch
Courteney will then complete an age-appropriate musculoskeletal assessment. She will explain what she notices, whether chiropractic care is suitable and what other options may be helpful.
If treatment is appropriate and consent is provided, some care may be included during the first appointment.
Care for School-Age Children and Teenagers
As children become more active and independent, discomfort may arise from sports, rapid changes in activity, prolonged sitting, backpacks, device use or minor injuries.
Courteney commonly assesses concerns involving:
- Neck and upper-back tension
- Low-back discomfort
- Shoulder, hip or joint mobility
- Headaches associated with neck tension
- Jaw tension
- Sports-related musculoskeletal complaints
- Posture and comfortable movement
Treatment focuses on the child’s current symptoms and function rather than trying to create a “perfect” posture or alignment.
Infant and Toddler Assessments
Infants and toddlers require a distinct assessment approach. Parents sometimes seek an evaluation when they notice a persistent head-turning preference, neck stiffness or concerns related to torticollis and head shape.
These concerns should also be discussed with the child’s physician. Physiotherapy or other medical assessment may be recommended depending on the presentation.
Courteney has additional training in infant head shape and torticollis. Her assessment considers neck movement, positional preferences and relevant health history using low-force, age-appropriate methods.
LEARN ABOUT INFANT HEAD SHAPE AND TORTICOLLIS
LEARN ABOUT CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR BABIES
When Medical Assessment Should Come First
Contact your child’s physician or seek urgent medical care for:
- Significant trauma or a suspected fracture
- New weakness, loss of coordination or difficulty walking
- Severe or worsening headaches
- Fever with neck stiffness
- Persistent night pain or unexplained weight loss
- Changes in consciousness, speech or vision
- Suspected concussion
- Symptoms that are severe, rapidly changing or otherwise concerning
Chiropractic care should not delay appropriate medical assessment.
A Child-Led and Family-Involved Approach
Children are encouraged to ask questions and communicate when something feels uncomfortable. Parents or guardians remain present and involved throughout the visit.
Some children are comfortable participating immediately; others need more time to become familiar with the clinic and assessment process. Courteney adapts the pace accordingly.
The goal is to provide a clear, respectful experience in which families understand what is being assessed and why a particular recommendation is—or is not—being made.
Book Pediatric Chiropractic Care in Ottawa
Dr. Courteney Werner provides pediatric chiropractic assessments for infants, children and teenagers at Triada Health Ottawa in Nepean. Book your appointment online today or contact us below for assistance:
🔗 Book Your Appointment Online
📞 613-695-1213
📧 admin@triadahealthottawa.com
📍 Learn more about our team and location on our Our Clinic page.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The first step is determining whether the concern is musculoskeletal and whether chiropractic care is appropriate. Courteney may recommend monitoring, home strategies or assessment by another healthcare provider.
Yes. A parent or guardian remains present and involved throughout a pediatric appointment.
Yes. Assessment and treatment are adapted to the child’s age, size, comfort and reason for seeking care. Techniques may include low-force mobilization, soft-tissue work and movement-based care.
No. Pediatric chiropractic care does not replace medical care. Depending on the concern, your child may require assessment by a physician, physiotherapist or another regulated healthcare professional.
Bring relevant medical information, imaging or reports, a list of medications and any recommendations from your child’s physician or other healthcare providers.