Most people who receive chiropractic care (and some who don’t) know when they need a chiropractic adjustment. From frequent headaches or fatigue to back pain or lack of focus, many adults are able to identify the signs that something within their body is out of balance. Babies, on the other hand, are unable to tell you what is making them uncomfortable. Despite this, it is important for even babies’ bodies to be in alignment. Misalignments, when left untreated, can compound as their tiny bodies develop. Children who are adjusted properly have better spinal health which gives them the best shot at healthy development. Below are some conditions that babies often experience that typically see improvement when infant chiropractic care is administered.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, commonly known as GERD, is a digestive issue common to infants. According to this study, more than a quarter of infants show symptoms of GERD on a daily basis. Babies who suffer from this condition have a tendency to spit up a lot. The stomach acid that leaks up into their esophagus can cause a considerable amount of pain for their tiny bodies.
Conventional treatment for GERD is to prescribe acid blockers, which sometimes reduce symptoms but they only bandage the problem rather than addressing it. Chiropractic care has proven that the problem’s source is often the result of a misaligned spine that puts unnecessary pressure on the infant’s diaphragm, which upsets the digestive system balance. Infant chiropractic care can help to relieve the pressure. We have seen this approach to work in as few as four sessions.
Colic
Babies who have colic tend to cry without ceasing for long periods of time. They also often seem to have abdominal pain. Many conventional medical professionals suggest that the condition is untreatable and that despite a few home remedies, such as gripe water, babies need to simply suffer through it until they reach an age where their bodies naturally grow out of it.
On the contrary, according to chiropractic care and wisdom, babies with colic who undergo chiropractic treatment have been shown to have a reduction in colic symptoms, as found in 94% of cases in a recent study.
Furthermore, one study found that infants with colic who were untreated were more likely to demonstrate negative behavioral patterns between 2 and 3 years of age while toddlers in this age group who received chiropractic care for colic symptoms had reports of less difficult behavioral and sleep patterns. This suggests that the benefits of infant chiropractic care for colicky babies can span beyond just the infancy stage.
Breastfeeding Issues
Several studies have delved deeper to determine how chiropractic care can help infants who have breastfeeding problems. Infant chiropractic care can positively impact a baby’s neck, jaw and shoulder movement to enable a child to better latch during breastfeeding and thus feed better. One study found that an astounding 100% of infants treated by a chiropractor had a better latch. The study also found that the overall stress level of breastfeeding for both mother and baby was decreased by 84%.
Special Needs Babies in Tucker
Babies who have special needs are more prone to physical problems. Special needs infants are often medically fragile and need all of the support they can get to grow to be as healthy and strong as possible. Studies have shown that chiropractic care for special needs babies, including those with cystic fibrosis and Down Syndrome, has helped these infants to reach developmental milestones. One impact of infant chiropractic care in Tucker, GA that is not as well-known is the impact it has on sensorimotor integration, which is a common problem or children who are on the autism spectrum. Although proper spinal alignment will not eliminate every challenge faced by special needs babies, it is a gentle and effective way to help them grow to be stronger and healthier.
When an infant does not feel his or her best, trying to figure out what is wrong with him can be trying for a parent. Whether you are confident you know what your little one’s problem is or not, a gentle chiropractic adjustment may be exactly what your baby needs. Check with your chiropractor to find out if infant chiropractic care is right for you baby.
