A Chiropractor is a licensed doctor trained in performing gentle adjustments to the body to restore nervous system integrity and normal body function. The main objective is long-term healing.
When it comes to infant care, Chiropractors have been successful in caring for issues like trouble in latching or breastfeeding, treating an underdeveloped digestive system, acid reflux, misaligned spine, nerve pressure, and ear pain/infection. When the entire nervous system is working properly your baby is able to eat, sleep and grow without colic and constipation during their peak development days.
When your baby or child gets adjusted, the Chiropractor makes gentle adjustments with his hands to your baby’s spinal bones. These adjustments create space for the spinal nerves which is the master system in development. These adjustments are gentle, most babies smile and giggle while getting adjusted.
7 Benefits of Chiropractic for Infants
While there are numerous benefits of Chiropractic care for infants and children, these are the 7 more common benefits of infant care you should know about.
1. Adjusting misaligned vertebra
Birth is a miracle of nature and while it is amazing, it is a complex process. Before birth, the baby resides in a small space in the womb and the space becomes increasingly cramped as the pregnancy progresses, especially during the last month before birth.
Many infants are born with a slight misalignment in their vertebra, and then comes the birthing process which sometimes includes pulling on the head to clear the shoulders. In some cases, forceps and suction are used to deliver the baby, which adds more stress and force to the baby’s central nervous system. Many infants get adjusted right after birth, while others get adjusted a few days or weeks later.
2. Post-birth recovery
During birth, the baby is often forced out of the mother and this pulling can hurt the baby’s spine. This remains true for both natural as well as births via c-section.
Sometimes as much as 40lbs of pressure is used on the baby’s head and neck during birth. These forces can and does injure the delicate nerves in the neck. It is important to have your baby checked for these misalignments right after birth.
Chiropractic care is also helpful for other related issues which may arise during the first few months of infant development. Some infants are extremely fussy, some have trouble sleeping comfortably through the night and some develop ear pain and infections early on. Chiropractors attribute these problems with misalignment in the spine. Proper adjustments can help the newborn sleep better through the night as well as overall better growth.
Another common issue in newborns is gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) which results in infants spitting up a lot and general discomfort during their sleep. Usually, pediatricians recommend acid blockers to reduce the symptoms, but this does nothing to relieve the underlying issue.
Chiropractic care suggests a simple adjustment in the vertebra, which might be putting pressure on the stomach as a solution. Once the pressure is relieved, the nervous system along with the digestive system can perform their function properly.
3. Ease colic symptoms
Like mentioned before, Chiropractic care is extremely efficient in treating symptoms of colic and gastroesophageal reflux in infants. There are many reasons for an infant to develop colic symptoms, but one of the main reasons is an underdeveloped gastro-intestinal system. This is entirely normal, common, and nothing to worry about but it does cause the baby unease leading to a fussy and crying baby.
The issue usually arises from a misaligned spine leading to problems in intestinal function. An underdeveloped digestive system is unable to cope with gas buildup and you might notice your baby trying to pull up his/her legs or move around to relieve gas. If they are unsuccessful, it leads to pain in the abdomen and discomfort.
Most pediatricians describe it as an issue that goes away with time. However, Chiropractic care has been shown to reduce the symptoms for 9 out of 10 babies. With proper adjustments, the Chiropractor can relieve the pressure and allow the body to perform its functions properly.
4. Helping ear infections
Another issue most common among infants is ear infection due to fluid buildup in the eustachian tubes. When the tube fails to drain, it leads to excessive pressure in the ear causing infection and pain to the infant. Chiropractic care is helpful here as research suggests that ear infections in infants can be a result of a minor injury of nerves during birth.
Whatever the reason one thing is certain: with Chiropractic care infants find relief from ear pain and infection. Chiropractic care helps drain the eustachian and relieve pressure in the eustachian tube.
5. Boost Immune System
The body is like a machine and if one part is malfunctioning, it is bound to cause issues in other areas. Similarly, nerves have many different branches. This means when nerves have pressure on them many different things can break down. Studies suggest that when the spinal cord and nervous system are working properly, the body can fight off pathogens in a better and efficient manner.
Chiropractic care leads to improved body function in both adults and infants, leading to a direct and indirect boost in the immune system. The nervous system is the master system of the body and spreads across the entire body. The nervous system controls and coordinates the function of the entire body. If nerves have pressure on them, anything can happen. Thus, if a baby is adjusted early on, it will be better protected against infections and allergens around it.
6. Decreases the risk of injury in toddlers
It is a wonderful experience to see your child crawl and learn to walk on their own. Your baby is growing right in front of your eyes. When your child learns to stand and walk, there is something else that happens as well; they fall – a lot. During this process of trial and error they fall, they get up, and try again. This repetitive falling even if it is low force, can result in misaligned vertebrae and nerve pressure.
A great way to prevent injuries is regular Chiropractic care. An outside injury is easier to see and treat but nerve pressure is harder to see. A Chiropractor is trained to see even minute changes in the spine or nerve, leading to early treatment and prevention. As your baby grows, they will accumulate injures; some small, some not so small from learning to walk, wrestling with siblings, learning to ride a bike, sports, climbing trees, etc. Chiropractic care can put your child back where life will put them out.
7. Aid in proper physical development
A baby’s structure is more cartilage than bone. During the first year of development the spine doubles in length, and the neck and back strengthens. These important milestones happen over a short but significant period. The neck curvature and low back curvature is formed when the baby starts crawling, this is an important process and essential to proper spinal development.
It is so important that babies and children are given every advantage in this life to become the best that they can be. Chiropractic Care is one of those advantages.
Extremities