Parents have turned to chiropractic care for colicky babies.
There isn’t a complete definition of what colic actually is or even what causes it. To parents and scientists alike, it remains a mystery. Generally, it is described as “unexplained and uncontrolled crying in infants from 0 to 3 months of age, for more than 3 hours per day, more than 3 days per week, for more than 3 weeks, usually in the afternoon or evening hours.”
Colic is typically seen to disappear spontaneously around 3 months of age. However, studies have shown that colic can continue in some infants until 6 or even 12 months of age. The excessive crying and general unrest can create stress and frustration, and may have long-term consequences such as temper tantrums and frequent night waking. Understandably, parents are continually seeking treatments that can help.
The research on colic and its treatment is very limited. However, medications have not been shown to be particularly effective in treating colic, so some parents have turned to chiropractic care instead. Chiropractors have been treating colicky babies for several years and with significant success. We see colic as a chiropractic problem due to subluxations, especially in the neck. The vertebrae in an infant may become misaligned during the compressions and stretches of the birthing process. If interventions are used to assist the birth, such as forceps or vacuum suction, these misalignments can be even worse. If you’ve ever witnessed a birth or seen pictures, then you know how much twisting and turning is involved on the baby’s head during the birthing process. These misalignments or subluxations can disturb normal physiological processes such as digestion, causing significant infant discomfort and can lead to colic. We are able to adjust infants in a very gentle way, that is much different than how we would adjust an adult, to correct the subluxation and relieve these problems.
A recent study examined behavioral and sleep disturbances experienced by post-colicky children who had been treated with chiropractic care versus children who had not received such treatment. Results showed that toddlers who had been treated with chiropractic care were two times as likely not to experience long-term consequences of colic than those who had been treated with chiropractic care.
Another study showed a reduction in crying of 1 hour in babies treated with a drug called dimethicone, and a reduction in crying of 2.4 hours in babies treated with chiropractic care.
Chiropractic care for infant colic is effective in many cases. If you would like to learn more, call our office at (918) 664-3571 to schedule a consultation. Find out how your Tulsa chiropractor can help you, and your baby.
Dr. Jason Schluter is a Chiropractor in Tulsa, OK at Schluter Chiropractic.
Schluter Chiropractic is conveniently located off Memorial Drive in Tulsa, Oklahoma and provides quality chiropractic care to Tulsa and the surrounding areas.
To schedule an appointment, call (918) 664-3571 or visit www.DrSchluter.com.
