Did you know that chiropractic care is beneficial for newborns? You may be asking yourself, why would a newborn need to see a chiropractor? Remember that chiropractic helps to balance the nervous system for optimal function and the nervous system is surrounded and protected by the spine.
Newborns go through a tremendous amount of change in a short period of time. First they are protected in their mom's tummy, it is a safe place but it is small. Then they go through the birth process where contractions can reach between 60-90 pounds of pressure! That's a lot of force going onto that tiny spine. Often times the baby's head and neck will be pulled and shoulders will be pushed and twisted while helping to get the baby out of the birth canal either by a doctor's hands, forceps, or vacuum extraction. This puts additional strain on the infant's spine.
But what about c-section births? These births are also difficult because the infant will be pulled and twisted out of the mom's tummy by the doctor. Uterine contractions are actually beneficial to an infant's nervous system because they create a pumping mechanism with the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, this pumping of the fluids stimulates the nervous system. With a c-section the infant won't experience this beneficial pumping of spinal fluid.
An infant can't tell you when they are in pain or that something is wrong other than to cry. Here are some of the most common signs and symptoms that parents bring their infants to see us: colic, reflux, torticollis (tilted head), arching of the back, constipation, decreased range of motion, difficult latch with breastfeeding, discomfort with laying flat, ear infections, and difficulty sleeping.
The nerves that support body functions originate in the spinal cord. When the spine is out of proper alignment those nerves are unable to function properly resulting in some of the above signs and symptoms.
Dr. Stange and Dr. Sarah are highly trained and experienced in adjusting an infant's spine. It is a much different adjustment than that of an adult because an infant's bones are still developing, so very little pressure is used to gently guide the vertebra into proper alignment and restore motion and function.
Please let us know if you have additional questions about chiropractic care for infants. We're happy to help.