Often times, people think that there is some magic age range for seeing a chiropractor, but unlike popular belief, infants as young as a few days old can benefit from chiropractic care. Having a newborn child already comes with the daily stress and long nights of crying, and seeing a chiropractor can help ease some of the symptoms that cause any extra distress to your baby. A happy baby means a happy mom and a peaceful night’s rest for all! Keep in mind that going through the birthing process is just as traumatic for the baby’s body as it is for the mother’s, and chiropractic can help with that AND other issues in babies. Below are a few of the many benefits your baby can receive when treated by your local chiropractor.
Colic: Colic can be linked to an immature or underactive gastro-intestinal system, leading to indigestion and gas buildup. An infant’s digestive system might not cope with the gas buildup, leaving the gas trapped in the gut to cause bloating and pain. Gentle manipulations can stimulate bloodflow to the small intestines and increase wave-like motions of the muscles in the gut that pushes liquid and gas through.
Fussiness: It is tough to pinpoint the exact source of fussiness in your infant, but general chiropractic care can assist when any sort of sickness is not the source. Restrictions in your baby’s spine are often relieved with chiropractic care. These restrictions can cause any number of headaches, muscle spasms, irritability, difficulty sleeping, and random crying. These symptoms can often be relieved and noticeably changed with just a single visit and continue to be relieved with regular chiropractor visits.
Recovery after Birth: Your little one doesn’t have to suffer from colic or spinal manipulation to seek chiropractic care. A general visit to your chiropractor can help relieve any discomfort in key growth areas as the birth process can be very traumatic for both mom and baby affecting nerves in their body. Gentle manipulations can help ease tension and strain, as well as correct nerve problems that may arise after birth. Chiropractors are trained to align the spine and ensure that there’s no nerve dysfunctions, as this can lead to reflux, breathing issues, and sleeping difficulties in babies.
Physical developments: The first year of a baby’s life is a crucial time for spine growth. The spine will double in length over that year, while the primary and secondary curves will begin to form. This is a lot of change in a short time span, and without the proper care of the spine, these curves may not develop properly. General manipulations by your family chiropractor can adjust and adapt to how your baby’s spine is forming and ensure the correct and healthy development.
Enhance the Immune System: Your baby’s immune system relies on not just nutrition and rest, but also a healthy spine. The nervous system runs through the spine, and any misalignment can affect all systems in the body. The thymus, which is a lymph node in the neck, is responsible for releasing cells to boost the immune system, which are all connected to the brain by nerves through the spine. It has been proven through recent studies that just a few spinal adjustments can release disease fighting cells where they are most needed.
Treating Ear Infections: Ear infections are quite common in toddlers and infants, luckily chiropractors can help! The Eustachian tube, which drains the middle ear of excess fluids, can become blocked, and gentle manipulations by a chiropractor can assist drainage during allergies, colds, or sinus issues. Ear infections also need to be treated by antibiotics, so a follow up with your general doctor is often needed.
A common question parents ask is: “Is it safe for my baby to see a chiropractor or get an adjustment?” Keep in mind that your baby may cry during your visit, but they are not crying out of pain; they are however crying from the experience of something new happening to their bodies. They may even be a little frightened of a stranger touching them. It’s very normal for a parent to have this fear, as an adult getting an adjustment means lots of cracks and scary noises; however, with a baby, chiropractors take a softer and gentler approach, often unnoticed by the baby. Also, seeking chiropractic care is proven to be safer than prescription medication or antibiotics.
These are just a few of the many benefits offered to infants through chiropractic care. Chiropractors offer help from head to toe from young to old and it’s all natural with no scary medicines.
Click here to see Dr. Duncan adjusting a baby just as young as a few days old to see more of what it looks like. We also have testimonials of parents whose babies have seen success with chiropractic care. More questions or want to schedule an appointment for your baby? Give us a call at Duncan Chiropractic.