When we see new parents walk into our clinic with bags under their eyes, looking exhausted and overwhelmed, with a crying child, we know that there is a colic problem!
Is It Indigestion?
Infantile colic was first thought to be merely indigestion. The most widely accepted definition of colic today is “unexplainable and uncontrollable crying in babies from 0 to 3 months old, more than 3 hours a day, more than 3 days a week for 3 weeks or more, usually in the afternoon and evening hours.”
Could It Be Birth Trauma?
If a baby is inconsolable, it’s hard to know if it’s a digestive disturbance. Consider another explanation. Upon examination, we often find spinal distortions in the baby’s upper cervical spine. These babies are probably suffering from head and neck pain. This is especially common if there was a difficult birth.
Study: A 67% Reduction in Crying
The results of a randomized controlled trial published in the October 1999 issue of the 
tracked a small group of 50 infants. Half received the drug dimethicone and the other spinal manipulation. At the conclusion of the two-week study, the babies being adjusted saw a 67% reduction in crying, and the drug therapy group saw an only 38% reduction.
There are many case studies showing improvement, sometimes dramatic, among colicky babies with vertebral subluxations. In fact, we have had some amazing results with colic in our own clinic. If vertebral subluxation is present, it interferes with the proper function of any part of the body. Restoring proper nervous system control through a chiropractic adjustment often allows the body to heal. This may happen regardless of age and regardless of what the particular symptoms being experienced are called.
Is it safe?
Many parents have reservations about taking their baby to a chiropractor for an adjustment. Most likely this is due to the idea of the manual adjustment they see chiropractors do on adults. You know the “snap, crackle and pop” often seen in videos on YouTube. First and foremost, we do a much gentler and more specific style of chiropractic called Koren Specific Technique or KST. It uses an adjusting tool called an ArthroStim which is very gentle. You can see me adjusting a 6-month-old in this video- https://dodychiro.com/techniques/. Secondly, even a manual adjustment of an infant consists of applying light pressure to the spine without twisting or turning of any kind. So an adjustment for your baby is not only safe but very effective. The only side effects are less crying, more sleeping, and a better quality of life for you.
For More Information
Call our practice or schedule online for a no-obligation consultation. Take action now and set up an appointment. Call or email us and put an end to the frustration and helplessness that many new parents feel.
