Pediatric Care in Burnsville
Gentle, age-appropriate chiropractic care for children and teens in Burnsville, MN — fingertip-light pressure to support healthy posture and development.
Eagle Trace Spine & Sport
Pediatric Care in Burnsville
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 Burnsville clinic uses extremely gentle, age-appropriate techniques to support healthy spinal development and posture, with no cracking, popping, or discomfort. Dr. Jeff Plaster takes 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.
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 — Dr. Plaster reviews 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 Eagle Trace Spine & Sport
Families from Burnsville, Savage, Apple Valley, Eagan, and Lakeville 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. Dr. Jeff Plaster combines 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, Dr. Plaster gives 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 Burnsville patients say
“I started coming to Eagle Trace after a car accident because I was having a lot of back and neck pain. Dr. Jeff has been great to work with and has helped me feel much better over time. They offer many treatments, including spinal decompression, rehabilitation exercises, back roller machines, chiropractic adjustments, and massage therapy. The entire team is friendly, caring, and always takes the time to make sure you are comfortable. What I appreciate most is that I never feel rushed during my appointments. They truly listen and focus on helping you recover. I have always felt well taken care of here. I highly recommend Eagle Trace to anyone looking for quality care for back, neck, or injury-related pain.”
“I walked in today and was treated fantastic by the entire staff. Dr. Jeff, seemed to genuinely care for my needs. He was able to adjust some stubborn areas that have been difficult for other Chiropractors. I left feeling so much better! I highly suggest and recommend this place. I will continue to seek care here! Thank you, Lance P.s They have an amazing Mike Tyson boxing glove up on the wall. Punch🥊”
“I had a deep tissue massage with Carol and it was exceptional. I had tightness, stiffness in specific areas and could not stand upright. After her 1hr session I could quickly, comfortably stand upright. I felt better but sore, need a day of recovery being an older gentleman. She very is professional. All of this through a Groupon I purchased. No downsizing in services because of the Groupon like another place ahem-Massage MN. 1 session and she got to the root cause. I definitely will book her services again and the location is not bad. 5 Stars for Carol. UPDATE: 6/3/26 I went in to see Dr. Jeff for Chiropractic Adjustments under my Groupon and I can confidently say Dr Jeff is an exceptional Doctor. He is one of the rare Physicians that has a deep passion for his profession. He utilizes new chiropractic techniques/technologies and is educated on the one that are bad for you. I came in with lower back, calf leg, tight glutes pain and his 1st adjustment made a difference that I can now as I typing this can feel. I am looking forward to his treatments in the future. From my recent past experience with a Groupon Chiropractor-HealthSource Edina I was treated substandard by comparison to Eagle Trace. Many businesses that decide to use Groupon as a way to get clients/customers in truth do not want to do so and it shows by the way they provide substandard service as I received through HealthSource. Eagle Trace Spine and Sport treats his clients/customers with respect, appreciation, enthusiasm, attention to detail and above all the massage and chiropractic services are EXCEPTIONAL. If you are seeking highly educated Chiropractic Services and immediately effective Massage Therapy Services I recommend Eagle Trace Spine and Sport-Burnsville, MN.”
