There is almost no worse feeling in the world than a parent’s when his or her child is uncomfortable or in pain and no solution appears in sight. This is often the case when a child presents with colic symptoms. Colic is defined as excessive, lengthy, intense and frequent crying from an outwardly healthy infant. Yet, there is a natural means of bringing about colic relief through infant chiropractic care. A scholarly article titled “The effect of chiropractic care on infantile colic: results from a single-blind randomised controlled trial” and published in Chiropractic & Manual Therapies details a 2021 study conducted to evaluate the effects of chiropractic care on infantile colic.

The results were encouraging, with half an hour of reduced crying compared to the control group. Larger trials with parent blinding are needed for a more conclusive finding, but the study did note significant improvement for some individuals receiving adjustment, which could point to more efficacy in subgroups of children, such as those with musculoskeletal issues.

Potential benefits of Chiropractic for colicky babies

(Adapted from Live Well Rochester blog post)

Spinal health and proper alignment are important for all people, including babies. Chiropractic care and gentle adjustments on infants can help with many colic symptoms, such as:

  • Improvement of blood circulation in the vertebrae, which in turn can improve blood flow to the brain.
  • Digestive improvements, such as reduced acid reflux. Chiropractic care can also release stomach pressure.
  • Better sleep for longer periods.
  • Promoting normal development and growth.
  • Assistance with weight gain.

What happens during an infant adjustment?

Infant adjustments are much gentler than their adult counterparts. They employ light, sustained pressure to address misalignments. It is roughly the same pressure one might use to touch their eyeball. During infant cranial work, the infant’s head is gently shifted to help the head form well and to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, to regulate digestion and sleep rhythms. Infant chiropractic is a safe and effective means of caring for many ailments in infants, including challenges related to birth trauma.