Pediatric Chiropractor in Surprise, AZ
Care for a baby looks nothing like an adult visit. Dr. Derek M. Legg, D.C., M.P.H. provides extremely gentle pediatric chiropractic care in Surprise, AZ for babies and young children, with no twisting and no popping, only very light fingertip pressure. We are conservative, we are honest about what care can and cannot do, and we always work alongside your pediatrician, never in place of them. Results vary from child to child.
Gentle care for babies and young children
Parents often come in with a simple question: is my baby comfortable, and is there anything gentle that might help? Dr. Legg starts by listening, then does a very gentle, hands-on check of how your baby moves. He explains what he finds in plain English before anything is done, and if care is not the right fit, he tells you so and points you the right way.
Is chiropractic safe for babies?
When it is performed by a trained chiropractor using very gentle, low force pressure, care for infants and young children is designed to be gentle. We are also honest with you: the research on infant chiropractic is limited, so we keep care conservative, we make no promises, and we coordinate closely with your pediatrician. If your child has a fever, is very unwell, or has anything that needs medical attention, that belongs with your pediatrician or urgent care first, and we will tell you so.
Why parents bring little ones in
Parents often come in hoping for help with an unsettled baby, trouble settling to sleep, a head that prefers one side, feeding that feels harder than it should, or simply a gentle check after a tough birth. We want to be straight with you: the evidence in these areas is limited, and we do not claim to cure or treat conditions like colic or reflux. What we offer is a careful, gentle assessment and, when it is appropriate, very light care, always alongside your pediatrician. If something needs a doctor, we refer you.
How gentle is a baby's adjustment?
Very. The pressure of a baby's adjustment is about what you would use to check a ripe tomato, a light touch from a fingertip and nothing more. There is no cracking, no twisting, and no sudden movement. Your baby stays in your arms or right beside you the whole time, and if anything about it does not feel right to you, we stop. Dr. Legg explains everything before he does it.
We work alongside your pediatrician
This is the most important thing on this page. Chiropractic care for a young child is never a replacement for your pediatrician or for medical care. We keep care conservative, we screen for anything that belongs with a doctor, and we refer you without hesitation when that is the right call. The goal is to be one gentle, careful part of the team caring for your child. Older children and teens have their own kids and teens page, and the full list of what we see is on our conditions we treat page.
What to expect on your first visit
The first visit is mostly a conversation. Dr. Legg asks about your child's birth, feeding, sleep, and what brought you in, then does a very gentle, hands-on check. If gentle care is appropriate, it is extremely light, and if it is not the right fit, he tells you honestly. New self pay patients can start with the $49 first visit, and more detail is on our first visit page. Walk ins are welcome Monday through Thursday.
Do you take insurance for babies?
Most children are covered under a parent's commercial plan, and we verify your benefits and quote any cost in writing before the visit. Medicare rarely applies to a child. Where it applies to anyone, Medicare covers only the medically necessary spinal adjustment; it does not cover acupuncture or dry needling by a chiropractor, or the examination, X-rays, or other services ordered by a chiropractor. More detail is on our Medicare page and our insurance page. The $49 first visit does not apply to Medicare, auto accident or personal injury cases, or workers' compensation.
Can chiropractic cure my baby's colic or reflux?
No. We make no such claims. The evidence is limited, we do not treat or cure these conditions, and anything medical belongs with your pediatrician. We offer only very gentle care alongside your pediatrician.
Does it hurt the baby?
It should not. The pressure is a light fingertip touch, with no twisting and no popping, and your baby stays with you the whole time. If your child is uncomfortable, we stop.
Do you replace our pediatrician?
Never. We work alongside your pediatrician and refer to them for anything that needs medical care.
Do I need a referral?
No. Arizona allows you to see a chiropractor directly, and we are glad to coordinate with your child's pediatrician. More answers are on our frequently asked questions page.
Who you will see
Dr. Derek M. Legg, D.C., M.P.H. earned his Doctor of Chiropractic at Logan University and a Master of Public Health, and he leads every visit himself. Your child sees the same doctor at every visit, so nothing gets handed off between providers. Every option we offer is on our services page, and care for the rest of the family is on our pregnant moms and adults pages.
Serving Surprise and the West Valley
We are on West Bell Road in Surprise, inside Sheitelman Physical Medicine, minutes from Sun City West, Sun City, El Mirage, Peoria, Waddell, Goodyear, and Litchfield Park. Read more about our chiropractor in Surprise, AZ. We see patients Monday through Thursday.
Legg Chiropractic and Acupuncture, 13757 W Bell Rd #101, Surprise, AZ 85374. Call (623) 214-7600.