As a parent, you may have wondered if chiropractic care was safe for newborns and infants. Many people are unaware of all the ways chiropractic treatment can help relieve colic symptoms, can address an injured neck during birth, correct a misaligned spine, treat ear infections, nerve dysfunction, and much more. At Deep Roots Chiropractic Health Center, our highly trained chiropractors have extensive experience working with patients of all ages and can provide safe and gentle care for infants in need of chiropractic treatment.
Why Would a Newborn Get Chiropractic Adjustments?
Chiropractors successfully treat millions of infants, toddlers, and young children each year. Chiropractic care and the proper adjustment can provide relief for problems such as ear infections, asthma, bedwetting, sleep irregularities, and more. A chiropractic adjustment for children and infants is very gentle and does not cause pain or discomfort.
For parents who are just learning about the many benefits of infant care through chiropractic treatment, it’s important to know some specifics.
How Chiropractic Care Supports Infant Health
There’s no question that chiropractic care supports infant health and is beneficial to children of all ages. Not only could treatment enhance a young immune system, but it will also bolster nervous system function. Whether the issue is trouble sleeping, trouble crawling, poor posture, colic, asthma, or chronic ear infections, chiropractic treatment can be very effective. With gentle manipulations, a chiropractor can help correct a misaligned spine, boost immune system function, nervous system function, and much more.
Chiropractic care for newborns can:
Treatment of Colic Symptoms
Spinal adjustments and massage can be used to address colic symptoms. By using gentle massage techniques, a pediatric chiropractor can stimulate an infant’s stomach and internal organs to prevent digestive problems. Some clinical studies have shown the effectiveness of chiropractic care for the alleviation and treatment of colic.
Birth Trauma
Regardless of how easy or quick delivery may have been for the mother, it can be a traumatic experience for the infant. Both long and quick labor can take a toll on the body. Many women anticipate an easy birth, but unfortunately, we can’t control the delivery process. With a difficult birth, a baby may be stuck at an odd angle and can have a difficult time getting into the proper birthing position. On occasion, birth trauma can occur, such as damage to the nerves or bones. Complications can occur that can also impact an infant’s spinal health and can lead to long-term or short-term effects.
Even the most non-invasive and gentle birth can still result in birth trauma. However, the use of a vacuum or forceps to deliver an infant or the extreme option of having a C-section can cause issues for a newborn. Even tugging and pulling on the baby during delivery can result in severe birth trauma, such as spinal misalignment or nerve damage. A difficult entrance into the world can have a significant impact on the spine and neck. Unfortunately, issues such as a misalignment to the spine can lead to many future wellness and health concerns. Fortunately, pediatric chiropractors can ease the transition for a newborn and promote a natural recovery after birth.
Ear Infection Treatment
An ear infection can cause severe ear pain and ongoing health issues if not addressed. Many ear infections are nerve-related. This means that treatment by a skilled chiropractor can correct the source of the problem. A health professional will commonly prescribe a course of antibiotics to treat an ear infection, but antibiotic treatment is not always a wise choice when a natural approach can solve the problem.
Vertebral Realignment to Treat a Misaligned Spine
During the birthing process, an infant’s vertebrae can become poorly aligned. Gentle chiropractic adjustments can correct a misaligned spine, creating an optimal environment for healthy growth.
Supports Proper Growth and Development
An infant’s body experiences many changes in a short period of time. For example, their neck and lower back curvatures begin to form as they learn to lift their head or sit. Without proper alignment, the spinal curvatures may not properly develop. This can have an impact on their physical development.
Improves Posture
When an infant learns to crawl and walk, they fall often. In some cases, these falls can do serious damage, such as nerve damage, which can hinder growth. Chiropractic treatment can safely and effectively address this issue.
Allergy and Asthma Relief
A healthy nervous system can have a major impact on the body’s natural healing abilities. Chiropractic treatment is one of the safest and most effective ways for an infant to overcome allergy and asthma problems.
Corrects Improper Crawling Habits
A chiropractor for babies can observe an infant’s crawling style and identify any possible habits that may cause long-term postural issues.
Sleep Issues
An improperly aligned spine can cause sleep disturbances. For a newborn, proper sleep is essential. Sleep will allow their bodies to grow correctly. A chiropractor can identify and treat common sleep issues that newborns often face.
Treatment of Torticollis
This condition causes the head to tilt to one side or tilt downward because of problems with the muscles in the neck. This is a fairly common issue with newborns. An infant may have been in an abnormal position or very cramped in the womb. Sometimes, this condition may not be present at birth and may become apparent once the infant has gained more strength in their neck. Chiropractic treatment for infants with torticollis works to massage the muscles in the neck and gently adjust the cervical spine to relieve the tilt, allowing the neck to grow properly.
Natural Approach to Acid Reflux/GERD Treatment
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD, can cause acid reflux to back up in the esophagus. Reflux in infants is more common than parents think. Infants with GERD will frequently spit up after feeding and may be very irritable after eating due to discomfort. With the use of gentle manipulation of the neck and spine, the nervous system is stimulated. This can improve the control of the stomach’s upper valve, stopping the reflux.
Difficulty with Breastfeeding
Chiropractic treatment for infants can also help with latching. If an infant is struggling with latching issues, one of our chiropractors will use spinal manipulation to gently adjust the spine for proper alignment. When nervous system interference is removed, the body will function better and allow the baby to relax into the proper position for breastfeeding.
Are Adjustments for Children and Infants Safe?
When it comes to chiropractic care, parents are often concerned about the safety of this type of treatment on tiny bodies.
Fortunately, chiropractic care is very safe and gentle for patients of all ages. A chiropractor will use adjustment techniques that are very gentle when working with an infant. It’s very common for an infant to be completely unaware that they’re being examined; that’s how gentle hands-on adjustments are.
It’s safe for a newborn within the first few weeks after birth to receive chiropractic treatment. A family chiropractor will use soft pressure on newborns to make very gentle spine alignments that can promote the body to heal itself and restore normal nervous system function. While these gentle adjustments are not painful, an infant may cry since they are being held in an unfamiliar position.
Schedule an Appointment Today
Correcting an infant’s spinal misalignment through gentle, safe, and effective chiropractic treatment offers many health benefits that can improve an infant’s well-being.
At Deep Roots Chiropractic Health Center in Northern Arkansas, we take a natural approach to pain relief and wellness by providing holistic treatment without the use of harmful medications or invasive surgeries. Our licensed chiropractors provide care to patients of all ages, including newborns, and can treat the entire body for improved body function. Contact our chiropractic facility today to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled friendly chiropractors.
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