Address Colic in Babies with Corrective Chiropractic
As you read this, you may have a child in your arms that has been awake for HOURS and crying for the majority of the time. You may have tried what seems like everything, a million different positions/holds, feedings are different times, various rockers and noise machines. You may even be contemplating different formulas or medications just to get a couple of hours of sleep. As a parent you may feel helpless. For those who have never experienced a colicky baby, it may be hard to understand the stress you are going through as a parent.
Chiropractic Care for Colic
So what is the cause of “colic”? Indigestion was first thought to be the cause of infantile colic. Now it is explained as, “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.” Unfortunately, research is non-conclusive in the root cause of colic. If a baby is inconsolable, it is hard to know if it is a digestive disturbance. Upon chiropractic examination, we often find spinal subluxations (misalignments) in the baby’s upper cervical (neck) spine. These babies are most likely suffering from head and neck pain. This is even more common the more difficult their birth process was.
A study published in the journal of Manipulative and Physiologic Therapeutics in a randomized controlled trial had a group of 50 infants with the criteria for colic. One group was treated with chiropractic adjustments for two weeks, and the other with the drug dimethicone for two weeks. The group that received spinal manipulation (chiropractic adjustments) reduced their crying by 67%, while the drug therapy group only experienced a 38% reduction! While more research is needed, colic is considered a condition that resolves on its own with enough time. There are many case studies showing improvement, many times dramatic, among colicky babies with treatment of vertebral subluxations.
We understand that you may have many questions or looking for further help for a child with colic, so make sure to contact us so we can help!
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