Take my baby to see a Chiropractor? Are you crazy?

Almost every adult has at some point suffered from back or neck pain, and can appreciate how debilitating it can be. So even those who don't believe in Chiropractors can at least understand why an adult might visit a Chiropractor trying to get some relief.

But a baby? They don't suffer from back pain? And why would someone go and twist their neck and make it go "pop"? More on this later.

But first, what could cause a problem with a baby's spine anyway? A study performed by an American Osteopath, Dr. Viola Frymann, found that of the 1500 babies checked within 24 hours after birth, 90% of them had suffered birth trauma and associated strain through the neck and cranial areas. 90%!

Some of these issues were caused by the trauma of the birthing process, while others were caused more from abnormal positioning while lying in the uterus.

Another study where more than 1000 infants were examined concluded that approximately 80% of all newborns had some form of nerve dysfunction, often involving the upper neck.

There are thousands of other studies that come to similar conclusions. So, how can we know if a baby has suffered any kind of neck trauma or nerve dysfunction? They can't tell us they have back pain or headaches until they become much older. But they can and do present with a range of other symptoms throughout their early months and years which can be attributable to the nerve dysfunction, including:

• Colic and irritability
• Frequent spitting up
• Difficulty turning the head which leads to flat spots on the skull
• Difficulty with breastfeeding
• Ear infections
• Asthma
• Sleeping problems
• Hyperactivity and learning difficulties
• Problems with crawling and walking

Keep in mind, nerve dysfunction is not the only thing that can cause these symptoms, for example if a baby is reacting to something in their mother's diet through the breast milk then this must also be addressed. 

But, when no other answers can be found, the helpless parents have to sit back and watch their baby suffer. And on many occasions, Chiropractic can potentially provide a solution.

Chiropractic adjustments on newborns and toddlers differ greatly from those performed on adults. We use very gentle fingertip pressure on their spine without any twisting, popping, or cracking. A baby's nervous system is much more sensitive than an adult's, and so they respond much faster with much less pressure applied (and usually with less treatments).

By correcting the nerve pressure, the baby's body can then go about functioning normally again and start to clear up the symptoms that had been present.

If you are unsure whether your infant or toddler can be helped, schedule a time for them to be checked by your Chiropractor to see if anything is found. Or, if you don't currently know a Chiropractor who specializes in pediatrics check out our website or call (402)593-9930 to have any of your questions answered.

Chronic ear infections, abnormal crawling patterns, and colic are not always "normal" things that just need to pass with time. They are often signs of a deeper problem that can manifest in many other ways as your child grows up!

Any questions? Leave a comment below so we can answer them for you!

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