subject: Treating Colic Naturally Through Chiropractic Care [print this page] If you have a baby who will not stop crying, no matter what you do, you may find that they have colic. There are not many ways to treat colic in a baby, but chiropractic care has been found to be one natural way of doing so.
Colic is defined as inconsolable crying in an infant for at least three hours a day, at least three days a week, for at least three weeks. A colicky baby typically presents with a loud piercing cry, flexed legs, tensed abdominal muscles, and clenched fingers.
It typically starts around three weeks of age and lasts until around three months but sometimes lasts for as long as six months. Approximately 10-20% of babies are affected by it.
Doctors diagnose this after ruling out diseases that may make a baby cry uncontrollably. Parents of infants with this problem report significantly higher stress levels than parents whose babies don't have it.
The stress and frustration of trying to soothe a colicky baby may interfere with mother-baby bonding and can increase the risk of postpartum depression. In addition, these babies are more likely to be victims of child abuse and shaken baby syndrome.
Despite the research done, there is no known cause, which can make treatment difficult. Chiropractic care has shown some of the best results, with 94% of these babies demonstrating improvement with chiropractic adjustments.
Research on chiropractic care and this disorder has shown significant benefits over other treatments such as dietary changes, medication, and infant positioning. A randomized clinical trial published in 1999 found that "Spinal manipulation is effective in relieving infantile colic."
For this study, the researchers randomly assigned infants diagnosed with this into two groups. One group received chiropractic care for two weeks and the other group was given the anti-gas medication dimethicone for two weeks.
The babies in the chiropractic group showed a 67% decrease in crying while the babies on medication showed a 38% decrease in crying. Another study with 316 children also showed significant improvement in colic in response to chiropractic care.
This prospective study used diaries from mothers to track the amount of crying. The three month long study showed a "satisfactory result of spinal manipulative therapy in 94% of the cases."
The improvements occurred after an average of only three adjustments within two weeks. Chiropractic care is a conservative, gentle, and very successful option for treating this disorder.
Chiropractic adjustments for infants are specific, gentle, and safe. The International Chiropractic Pediatrics Association has a database of chiropractors who work with babies and children.
However, this not only helps babies, but also adults who have digestive problems. Over $80 billion are spent each year on drugs to relieve heartburn, acid reflux, bloating, gas, irritable bowel, constipation, diarrhea, and other digestive disorders.
These symptoms of abnormal digestive are becoming increasingly more prevalent in our society. Science and research have shown that chiropractic care offers a powerful solution to this modern-day epidemic.
The nervous system controls digestive function from several different regions. The vagus nerve which courses out of the brain stem and runs near the atlas bone innervates all the major organs of digestion and functions to stimulate the digestive process.
Other major areas controlling the pace of digestion include the sympathetic nerves coming out of the thoracic and lumbar regions and the sacral parasympathetic nerve fibers. Spinal misalignment in any of these regions can lead to neurological compromise and altered digestive function.
Wellness oriented chiropractors search for the location of such spinal misalignments termed 'subluxations.' A specific adjustment realigns the altered regions and restores nerve supply to the deficient organs.
This approach honors the body's innate ability to heal and works to harmonize this incredible life force in order to enhance organ function and quality of life. Several studies have demonstrated the power of these adjustments in restoring optimal function in individuals with digestive disturbances.
A 2008 study demonstrated how effective chiropractic care is for infants with digestive disturbances. Researchers chose three infants who were experiencing infrequent bowel movements from once a week to once every 3 or 4 days.
Parents of these infants had tried several different laxatives and other procedures recommended by their medical staff. They had also followed specific dietary changes and the use of cod liver oil and mineral oil without any results.
As you can see, there are more benefits than we may even realize. Talk to a licensed Chiropractor today about what you can do for your baby, as well as yourself.
