Our Experience with Newborn Chiropractic Care and Why You Should Consider It
Guest Post by Wardeh Harmon of GNOWFGLINS
I gave birth to my son Mikah, my third child, at home in 1999. He cried quite a bit, so we wondered if he might be in some kind of pain. He had several issues from birth, which made things all the more confusing. One of them was itchy eczema from head to toe (that’s another story for another day). But that seemed unrelated to a noticeable neck weakness. He couldn’t hold his head up straight, nor could he turn it side to side.
Our pediatrician said he probably had torticollis, permanent nerve damage in the neck area, and he might not ever get better. She said, “Let’s just wait and see.”
Our midwife, who had been with us for two home births, suggested we see a chiropractor. She knew of one who believed so strongly in newborn adjustments that he did them for free! When I called his office and explained what was happening with Mikah, they gave us a next-day appointment. Mikah was 2-1/2 months old, much of which time he’d spent crying.
I remember the appointment day so clearly. It just so happened that we had an appointment with the pediatrician right before the visit with the chiropractor. By the way, I was the only one going to these appointments; my daughters stayed behind with my mother-in-love, while Jeff (my husband) was working.
I think I should tell you that I am the kind of person that tends to trust everyone and sometimes says too much. So, with my usual naive style, I told the pediatrician how we were going to the chiropractor next and why. She was already politely skeptical about our having had two home births, our resistance to topical steroid creams for eczema, and our hesitation to immunize. Her response surprised me, but it shouldn’t have. She advised that we not go to the chiropractor because she didn’t think it would do any good, and she even thought it could hurt Mikah.
I left her office and called my husband Jeff from the parking lot. I was ready to cancel the chiropractor visit. Jeff said, “You already have the appointment. Keep it. If you feel uncomfortable with something, you don’t have to do it. But it won’t hurt to give it a shot.” Neither of us had any prior experience with chiropractors, so we had no idea what to expect, if anything.
I wiped my tears and went to see the chiropractor. I was afraid. The idea of a chiropractic adjustment sounded scary to me, and Mikah was so little and fragile. And hurting.
The first thing the chiropractor did was check Mikah’s pain level by testing his gag reflex. How deep a finger can slide in the mouth before a person gags reveals the level of pain. The deeper the finger can go, the lesser the pain, and vice versa. Mikah gagged almost right away when the doctor put his finger to Mikah’s mouth.
I can still hear the chiropractor saying, “This boy is in pain.”
He examined Mikah very gently. He noted that Mikah’s head was misshapen. He probed Mikah’s head and neck, again very gently. My confidence was building. He figured out the source of the neck pain and limited movement. He stopped to explain what he was about to do and showed me how little pressure he would be applying. It was barely a touch! Then he applied that same gentle pressure to a place behind one of Mikah’s ears and declared he was finished. He said he’d just released a nerve that was being pinched.
He told me that he believed Mikah’s head would return to a fairly normal shape, although it would probably never be perfect. Mikah is now 11 years old and this is true. Though the asymmetry is slight, I can see it.
He told us that he expected Mikah to start getting better right away and asked us to come back for a probably unnecessary follow-up visit. We went home.
Within 24 hours, Mikah could hold his head up straight, he could turn his head all around, he finally rolled over, and he was no longer crying in pain. An amazing 24 hours. I am so thankful to God!
Within a few years of our experience, friends gave birth to a little boy with the same weak neck and pain symptoms. I shared about our chiropractor, as our midwife had shared with us. They took their son to him, and their baby experienced a similar recovery, though it was not a 24-hour turn-around as Mikah’s had been.
Why You Might Consider Newborn Chiropractic Care
Please understand that I’m not trying to be an alarmist here. I know and believe that birth is beautiful and natural.
However, birthing is potentially traumatic for a child, especially when modern obstetrical appliances are used. But even in a natural birth, there can be trauma. For instance, a baby experiences extra pressure when the mother is laying down while birthing; her pelvic opening becomes smaller plus she has to push harder to work against gravity. In Mikah’s birth, I was laying down and he was a big baby at over nine pounds. I speculate those two things had everything to do with his pinched nerve and misshapen head.
Birth injuries can appear immediately or develop over time. Obviously the neck pain and reduced movement my son experienced was an immediate injury. This source shares that documented, immediate birth trauma results include: spinal cord and brain stem injuries, brain bleeding and swelling, neurological deficits, breathing problems and sudden infant death syndrome. Long-term problems could include: learning disabilities, headaches, visual and hearing problems, certain palsies and other immune issues.
Many parents take every baby to their chiropractor for a routine newborn spinal and nervous system check — just as most people do the pediatrician. If I’d had any more children, I’m pretty sure I’d be doing this, too!
Suggestions for Finding a Newborn Chiropractor
Perhaps you, like I did, feel wary of taking your newborn to a chiropractor. You might be worrying that the adjustment will injure your baby. This simply isn’t true, at least not with a chiropractor experienced in newborn care.
If you’re considering infant chiropractic care, I’d suggest these things:
- Find a chiropractor who is experienced in working with newborns and infants, and preferably certified and trained through the ICPA (International Chiropractic Pediatric Association). Ask for references.
- Ask the chiropractor to explain to you and demonstrate on you whatever pressures he/she will be applying to your child. Pressure should be so gentle that a sleeping baby won’t wake up.
- Look for a chiropractor who moves slowly and gently examines your child, looking into the baby’s eyes and speaking soothingly.
- Choose a chiropractor who makes you feel comfortable, a doctor you feel you can trust.
I’d like to thank Dr. Hoopes of Fresno, California, USA, the chiropractor God used to heal my son. Also, big thanks to Dr. Matt Garofolo of Hands On Health Family Chiropractic in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, for reviewing the accuracy of this article.
I hope you switched peds… torticollus, can in conjunction with chiropractic care, be treated by physical therapy as well. I know many families who do both and their infants benefit tremendously. In PT, they can teach you stretches and massages to do on your infant after being adjusted by the chiro. Teamed up, the care is so good.
My son has a brachial plexus injury from birth (as well as what we all believe to be undiagnosed torticollus)
(he was a severe shoulder dystocia baby) and we take him to see a Pediatric Chiropractor. He does this in conjunction with OT/PT and aquatic therapy. The chiro can realign/adjust him
bt they also need to strengthen the muscles that cause the problem. We didn’t see her until he was older because I didn’t know there were specifically pediatric chiropractors. A friend takes her infant with the same injury to the ped. chiro as well.
Pediatric Chiros are also known to help with colic, hyperextension of the neck in infants, reflux, etc. They have to have quite a few more years of study/experience with children than adult chiros to get that certification.
my now 5 yr old son was also born with Torticollis. He as in the right downward position but share my heart shaped womb with a 25 pound placenta. He was born with weaker neck muscles. When he was 3 days old, my chiro came to my house to relieve my lower back and neck pain from my 2 day hospital stay. She noticed my son’s neck and gave him his first adjustment that would continue until my son was 15 months old to correct his torticollis. Even now when my son is really tired (especially on a trip) his head will still lop to the weaker side. My Chiro says that he will always have some amount of this as you said it is a permenant thing. but now he is not in pain and when it does hurt we either go for an adjustment or to the massage therapist for a neck massage.
I am about to take a 10yo to the chiropractor for bed wetting issues. If anyone has anything to share about this, I would be thankful.
My cousin had an issue with that until he was 12 and saw a chiropractor for it.
Hi Lisa – my husband is a chiropractor and has been able to treat and help several families dealing with this issue. I hope you are able to find some help with your chiropractor.
Lisa, this can’t be easy to deal with! My children have been dry since potty training days, but a friend deals with it for her 7yo. I hope the chiropractor can help. Have you tried changing your 10yo’s diet? My first suggestions are to remove sugar from the diet and really work on improving overall health, such as adding good probiotics. You might consider food allergies as a source of the problem and try an elimination/provocation diet, too.
I second the consideration of food allergies. The only time mine have had an accident beyond potty training was when they had eaten something they are sensitive to. Like clockwork, if chocolate had been eaten (rare occasion) the bed would be wet in the middle of the night.
I also had excellent experience with pediatric chiropractor. It completely remedied latching and suckling issues with breast feeding. The adjustment would result in immediate and drastic improvement in latching and nursing.
I have one son, who is now 11 years old. From the time he was just a tiny thing he had neck pain. Even before he could talk, trying to color would be painful for him. Anything he did that forced him to look down was almost unbearable for him. As he got older and began school this was a real issue.
We talked to his pediatrician about it when he was 4 or 5 and we realized that this just wasn’t normal. She sent him to specialists in Tampa who said there was nothing wrong. We eventually moved to IN where I talked to his pediatrician here about it. She also didn’t seem to make anything of it. For many reasons, we felt we needed to change his pediatrician. My husband and I both see a wonderful family practice doctor who routinely recommends a more holistic approach, so we felt she would be a good fit for our son as well. Shortly after he started seeing her (a little over a year ago), I mentioned Isaac’s neck pain to her as well. Even though every other doctor we’d seen about it made nothing of it, I still knew something wasn’t right. She actually did a physical examination on him (no one else had ever done that) and told me that she thought he might have an alignment issue and recommended that we see a chiropractor that had experience with children.
I was apprehensive, but scheduled an appointment with her choice of chiropractor anyway. After examining Isaac, the chiropractor felt confident that with adjustments Isaac would begin to get relief. His neck was very out of alignment. He explained that it had probably been that way since birth because the issue had started so early on. Because Isaac was 10 at the time, he explained how his neck would probably want to slip back out of place because it had been like that for so long. But, if we stayed with it it would eventually hold.
Chiropractic care has made all the difference in the world! It’s been a little over a year and Isaac still gets adjusted regularly. He is in a major growing spurt, which causes misalignment for him – this brings on pain and headaches. But, once he gets adjusted he immediately gets relief.
I only wish I had known when he was much younger that something as simple as chiropractic care could have saved my son years of pain. If we had been able to get on the problem when Isaac was still a toddler, the alignment issues would have been much more easily resolved because his spine wouldn’t have spent nearly as long out of alignment. But, I am so thankful that God led us to a doctor who cared enough to recommend a chiropractor. :0)
Also, I was very apprehensive about the cost because we don’t have great insurance. I was surprised to find that our insurance covers 12 visits a year. But, even for those who don’t have insurance, it is very affordable – nothing like the cost for seeing a doctor. So, I just want to encourage others who afraid to look into seeing a chiropractor because of the cost to look into it anyway, because you might be very surprised at how affordable it is.
Sorry this is so long. I just felt like I needed to share our story. It took 4 different doctors (including specialists) to bring us to a very easy and inexpensive solution. Ignorance isn’t always bliss. 🙂
My son was a colicky baby….I thought the crying would never stop and was willing to try anything! A family member suggested a visit to a chiropractor and it helped immensely!
I had all of my children visit chiro’s at birth. In fact, they wanted perform a c-section on my 2nd (which I was so against) because she was breech. I tried everything to flip her. Then the very last week I went to my chiro and he did something and the next morning I went in to dr and baby flipped! I was thrilled. Deliver my baby naturally. Love my chiropractor!
Like the previous commenter, I hope you changed doctors! 6 of my 7 children were born with torticollis. When my second child was born, our doctor called it a “habit” and suggested turning her crib. She didn’t really sleep in a crib, but I tried something like that… which didn’t work, of course. Finally I saw another doctor for an unrelated problem, and he immediately made the diagnosis and referred us to a physical therapist. Now that we know the exercises (after so many kids) we do them at home with our babies until their range of motion becomes normal.
Hearing about doctors who tell parents that “nothing can be done” make me angry. Torticollis requires a little work, but in most cases can be remedied. All 6 of my kids born with torticollis look completely normal now… and the only one with some asymmetry is my daughter, whose torticollis was the most severe and for whom we trusted the doctor who said she had a “habit”.
Angela — Yes, we did change pediatricians!
Thanks for this! I’ll keep this in mind for future babies, and for friends who have babies. I love learning about natural ways to deal with problems that conventional doctors think can’t be fixed.
Thanks for this post. My husband is a chiropractor, and it’s hard when I hear negative comments against his profession. He has been able to help so many families; I hope others are able to find some natural solutions through chiropractic as well.
Yes, this. My husband is a chiropractor too. I always appreciate reading positive experiences, knowing how deeply my husband cares about his patients and their health – and alternative healthcare in general. 🙂
My husband is a Maximized Living chiropractor, love reading all of these comments about how adjustment helped and were life-saving in some circumstances!
We’re our own little chiro-wives club, lol! Do ya’ll have blogs?
When my daughter (6) was in her 2s and 3s, we went to the chiro when she would get really nasty with no explanation. She would almost always come home with a different attitude. (used to jokingly call them attitude adjustments!) Chiro said it was her C2 needing adjustment and it often causes irritability, ADHD (and other related disorders). Now she is old enough to tell me what is wrong, but she will still get overly naughty if I don’t take her. When I say she was naughty I mean beyond what is normal. It will NOT cure normal naughtiness! LOL
We took our 4 month old to the chiropractor and have about once a month since then. Although he is very gentle, she still cries every time–and she is not normally a crier. The last time she did a cry that sounded like she was in pain, so now I’m skeptical about taking her back. She’s been a very healthy baby so far (praise God), but I’m not sure whether to attribute that to her and me mostly nursing or if the chiropractor has anything to do with it…
The pediatric chiropractor we go to (my son has special needs and so goes regularly) told us that typical/healthy infants and children only should go about once a year for an adjustment unless they’ve been in a car accident or have had some kind of traumatic accident. If your baby girl is healthy, maybe that is too much on her. Also, I wouldn’t take my little one to anyone but a pediatric chiropractor as they are specialized… just too many little bones, fragile, etc
I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), about 2 years ago my husband and I wanted to start a family. Knowing it is difficult to get (and stay) pregnant with PCOS I went to a doctor to discuss options, preferably natural. I left frustrated when the only thing she could recommend were fertility drugs. So I did my own research and started taking some supplements, eating better, etc. After a year of trying we were pregnant, but miscarried around 8 weeks. A friend, who also has PCOS recommended I go to a chiropractor because it had helped her regulate her cycles. So only a few weeks after my miscarriage I began to see my chiropractor. At first it was twice a week for a few weeks and then it was once every month. I couldn’t believe it, I was having a cycle every 5 weeks! I have NEVER had regular cycles and when you are trying to get pregnant that is difficult! I will say that I did change my diet, more whole foods, less to no processed food, checked my basal body temperature and cervical mucus, and took a Chaste Tree Supplement. Praise the Lord, we are now 17 weeks pregnant and due in September with our first baby!
I should have said that we got pregnant for the 2nd time about 6 months after our miscarriage, which was how long I had been seeing a chiropractor.
I have Nothing but amazing words for Chiropractic. We truly believe that God blessed us with our Chiropractor. He is in our family’s daily thoughts/prayers. My son was born via c-section, he had torticollis, and at 1 1/2 started having seizures. Nothing we did helped. He went through various MRI/EEG etc. and the Drs could find nothing. A woman approached me about chiropractic. I thought the same, what the heck? Nothing else has worked, let’s just see what he has to say. I had a similar experience, he was kind, gentle, and so hopeful. After a week of adjustments (gentle adjustments), he was 50% better. After 6 months, he was seizure free! It is now 4 years later, and he is STILL Seizure FREE, and one of the healthiest and smartest boys I know. My daughter was born 3 years ago, and my chiropractor was there within the first 12 hours to adjust her. I cannot say enough about Chriopractic, and how important it is to our health. Thanks for posting this great article. I am on a MISSION to share the blessings of Chiropractic with everyone.
Laura, what an amazing story, My husband is a chiropractor and would love to hear those words you just wrote, he feels he was called to help change the way healthcare is viewed in America! We are on the same mission as you, keep it up! 🙂
Love this post!!! My husband was in school to be a chiropractor when our daughter was born. My labor was over 40 hours and she was posterior for most of it. My husband did some very basic adjustments when she was born and routinely after that. At 6 weeks we were having so much trouble with breastfeeding and she always screamed when she ate. Pediatrician diagnosed silent reflux and wanted to put her on meds. We took her to one of my husband’s teachers, an expert in newborn care. She agreed with the reflux diagnosis and explained that a cranial nerve was pinched (probably from my long labor) and that was causing the reflux. Our daughter has extensive cranial work done and the doctor showed my husband more adjustments for infants. She got so much better and feeding her was no longer a nightmare! I strongly suggest chiropractic adjustments for mama and baby after delivery. Mamas need help too to ensure everything gets back to the right spot after being stretched and moved from pregnancy and birth.
My husband is also a chiropractor, where do you guys practice? Blessings!
We have been visiting our wellness chiro weekly for 4 years now, and we’ll never stop! Our daughter was healed of acute constipation after only two adjustments, and we’ve never looked back. I have experienced healing for lower back pain and migraines. My husband also has not had a headache in years. Ironically, going to the chiro was what catapulted us into our natural living journey and ultimately into traditional foods, choosing to stop vaccinating our children, ridding the medicine cabinet of Benadryl, Tylenol, and even Neosporin. The only regret I have is that I didn’t know or understand the benefits of chiropractic until my children were toddlers. I wish we had started from birth!
yay Lindsey! So glad you shared a tidbit of your story! My hubby is a wellness chiro! We love getting families to live to their potential!
I’ve had my little on there twice. Of course people look at me like I’m insane but I don’t mind.
We took him a few months after birth and then at 17 months. I will continue to take him as needed. At 17 months his hips were slightly out of line from learning to walk and falling around, etc.
We will certainly continue to use Chiropractic.
Danielle, Love that you don’t care what others think, If you know about Dave Ramsey (which he is about finances of course) but love his saying about “don’t be normal” which also applies to health, DON’T be normal!
I love this!! My younger son (2 years old) has been going to a chiro since he was born (first visit was at 10 days old!!). He had eczema from 1 month to 6 months old. I happened to take him for an adjustment and a visiting chiro suggested I adjust his carseat (the foam behind the back was missing in places – older model). Within a week his eczema was gone!!! My older son (7.5 years old) has been going since he was about 2 – I took him to a chiro for an ear infection that cleared up within days. I myself have been going since then as well. While I require a weekly adjustment, my boys often don’t need to get adjusted. Neither one has ever been truly sick (a cold here or there) and we have been able to deal with several issues simply through an adjustment. I’m a believer for sure!!!
We have used a Chiro in the past to help my daughter with breathing issues. She was hospitalized twice as an infant with Bronchiolitis. The Ped had told us that she would probably have asthma and other issues all her life. Right before she turned a year old I came across a Chiro that specialized in Peds. It was evident that the relief was immediate during the adjustment. She hasn’t had a problem since. It is so important to find a good Chiro and to be able to trust them wholeheartedly.
I love the knowledge shared here from other mothers. It is things like this that make me love the blogging community even more. I’m determined to go natural with my 3rd and not bossed around by my OB, we’re with Midwives in an OB office this time, but I’m holding my ground. I appreciate this article as I’ve never given it a thought.
Gabreial, so glad you are going to be in charge of you & your children’s health, it is your CHOICE! My hubby is a wellness chiropractor and I have an “Ask Dr. Jake” feature on my blog, in case you ever have any questions! Blessings!
Our seventh baby has been our fussiest baby by far. In the days after his birth he cried a lot. My midwife kept suggesting we take him to a chiropractor, but I was skeptical. Chiropractic adjustment for a newborn? Finally at 6 weeks out of desperation I took him. What a difference! The adjustment was so gentle and yet so effective. The chiropractor showed me where he had a great deal of tension in his neck so I was aware of that in how I held him. This was a well-written post with some necessary information.
I started going to a chiropractor myself while I was pregnant with my first. I had a muscle spasm in my back that was so painful, I needed relief. My husband had already been going to one for several years, so I wasn’t too nervous about it. I continued to see the chiropractor during the remainder of my pregnancy and afterwards. My pregnancy progressed very comfortably. The chiropractor adjusted my daughter when she was less than 2 months old and continued to do so periodicly untill we moved 2 years ago. Also, when I had my 2nd child, she was routinely adjusted from the time she was about 2 weeks old. They had no issues with the adjustments and it seemed to help some with teething pain as well.
Our experience with a newborn Pediatric Chiropractor was very bad!
Our daughter was treated by a peds chiro who had recently moved from Chicogo. Her brother-in-law, a Chriopractor, was treating my mom and then I started seeing him. He suggested my daughter might gain weight if she was adjusted. So I allowed the woman to treat her. However, they both called DSS 3 weeks later.
We knew immediately who turned us in because they had so much information worng. They claimed I was a danger to my daughter and was medically neglient because she was very small and weighed less than 8 lbs at 3 months.
My husband is 118 lbs soaking wet and is 6 feet tall. My son was 3 1/2 and still wearing 12 to 18 month clothes. I was a preemie and have always been small. I did not gain more than 21 lbs pregnant.
None of our Western medical doctors (even the peds doctors) were worried. They saw my family as small and petite, except for my husband’s height.
DSS has caused us much grief. The social worker is pregnant and due in May. She is adament against nursing and stated her baby would be in daycare at 2 weeks! She had kept dangling the case as founded so we spent $4,600.00 for the attorney who has fought DSS already in our state.
The owner of the clinic was furious that this happened to us and fired the chiro. We are very happy to report he and his sister-in-law were also fined by the chiro board and currently are unable to practice due to continuing an unfounded DSS case file.
My daughter is now 11 months old, still getting breast milk and formula (30 calories of formula per ounce (normal is 22 calories by the can) and she is just now 16 lbs!!! No one is concerned as she is happy and heathy and very bright. Our son is 4 and still wears toddler 2 clothes.
Our dismal experiences have made all of us adament in NEVER seeing another Chiropractor.
Thanks for letting me vent.
Mckenzie — I’m so sorry! How awful. I hope someday you’ll be able to reconsider writing off all chiropractors because of the one who treated you so badly. There are many, many good chiropractors out there.
I cannot agree more! I wish I had known about newborn chiropractic care when my oldest 2 were babies (funny, since I’ve been going since I was a teen). We didn’t start that until our third was born, but he, as well as #5 & #6, have been seen by our chiropractor within weeks of birth.
THank you for this post! Before the birth of my 3rd baby, I didn’t really believe in infant chiropractic – I was wary of it, and didn’t know anything about it. But that all changed with my 3rd baby. She cried so very much, and I couldn’t console her. Like your son, she also could not hold her head straight – it was leaning to one side or another. At her one year appointment, all she could do was roll from place to place – no sitting on her own, no going up to hands & knees, no crawling, etc. Her pediatrician noticed her head tilt when she was very little – around 2 months or so – and suggested we just watch it. Her head positioning didn’t improve over her 1st year, and we eventually got her qualified for physical therapy, and from there became open to chiropractic care. While my daughter hasn’t had a compete “healing” so to speak with her head positioning, it is so much better after receiving regular chiropractic care! I couldn’t believe it. I’m thankful we took her there! And after the birth of my 4th, we’ll be taking that baby to the chiropractor too! I’m so thankful for a variety of professionals that can help hurting children, and I know now the value of seeking out the professional in the specific area of concern!
Oh my gosh…I feel like you are retelling our story. Except my pediatrician was the one who suggested I go to the chiropractor for possible assistance with reflux. Once there, the chiro immediately told me my daughter, who was also crying a lot, not only had reflux symptoms, but also had torticollis, a mishaped head, AND appeared to be in stomach pain. How she “knew” about the stomach pain, I’ll never fully understand, but I thank the good Lord. Fast forward to now. Her torticollis and head shape are completely fixed, thanks to the chiro. And, my daughter is now gluten and dairy free thanks to blood work indicating significant food intolerances. The chiro helped me get on the right track sooner rather than later!
We have taken all three of our children to the chiropractic within the first week of being home. With our second, we actually stopped at the chiropractor’s on the way home from the hospital. He had been laying in the birth canal upside down with his head turned. He was a traumatic birth that required an emergency C-section. I still take my children periodically when they are not sleeping well or just seem off. Both my hubby and I both go regularly also.
I’m a strong believer in chiropractic care and have a terrific chiropractor I visit regularly. I’m expecting my first baby in a four months and fully intend to have the chiropractor give him an exam.
I also developed chronic back problems as a child that cannot be fully corrected now as an adult, and that could have been prevented or corrected if I had regular adjustments as a child. Having periodic checkups during childhood is something I would advocate as well.
This is a great article! I have been taking my baby to the chiro since shortly after birth. She’s had issues screaming in the car, eczema, collic, and general fussiness. I haven’t noticed those issues going away with chiro care, but she IS very active, crawling, rolling, standing early. I need to make use of our chiropractor more with sickness and such too. We just got through a nasty bug as a family and recently, my newly potty trained daughter has regressed to wetting the bed, so a lot of things to think about.
I was also fascinated by the whole gag-test thing. My daughter is almost 10 months and has not been able to eat solids as anything with any texture (even syrup type medicines) will make her gag and throw up. We are nursing and I am on GAPS to help her with her food intolerances, etc. but I am so curious about the gag-pain correlation. Does anyone know any more about that? Thanks!
Amazing! I would add one little tip about finding a good chiropractor: sometimes chiropractors who work on both humans and animals are unusually good. I think it must have to do with their ability to work with non-speaking creatures. They get in tune with body language and intuit a lot of information. My current chiropractor adjusts people of all ages, horses, and dogs. She’s truly gifted. My mother-in-law in another state found an animal and people chiropractor who is equally stellar. I plan to take my newborn in right away in August.
Interesting observation about chiropractors who work with both animals and little humans who can’t yet make their hurts and needs known with words. Our chiropractor is such a care provider too, and likewise, he’s great with the kids – so thorough with every visit, listening to us, making suggestions on stretches and things we can do to help ourselves.
For avoiding or treating ear infections in infants and children, he suggested this: when a little one is swallowing during drinking or eating, if you tug very gently on the ear lobe, downward and backward in the shape of a J, it momentarily opens the eustachian tube and allows for good flow.
Great post!! My youngest actually started getting adjusted on a regular basis even before the rest of our family did! She had severe reflux (projectile spit up!) her first couple months, and chiropractic care cured it within a couple of visits! Chiro care has also helped both of my girls with ear infections and has avoided many unnecessary rounds of antibiotics.
I did get adjusted a few times during my second pregnancy (including twice the day before she was born!), but we could not afford the chiro care that I really think it beneficial for pregnant women. Thankfully, I am able to get regular adjustments this time around, and our chiropractor is certified in the Webster technique for pregnant women. This should help open up my pelvis for delivery. I absolutely love getting adjusted!
My girls still go in for monthly adjustments or more often if they are sick–for the immune benefits.
We are hoping to add my hubby in for regular chiro care soon! 🙂
My son had the same thing. I took him in at 6 weeks. My pediatrician told us to wait and see for 6 months or more. When I mentioned that I thought he was in pain, he said it was just colic. I felt the same way about going to the chiro (especially when my pediatrician told me not to go). But my mother instincts kicked it. I am so grateful for what the chiropractor did for my son. He didn’t change immediately, but I know his head is more symmetrical and he’s the happiest baby!
Thanks for sharing this. I hope more parents read this. I know I will have future children examined as newborns.
Amy! so glad you went to a chiro, birth is one of the most tramatic things babies go through, often their atlas is out! Glad you have a happy baby now!
Good article. I went to someone who did a tiny, gentle adjustment- craniosacral therapy on my 2nd daughter when she was 2 or 3 weeks old. The reason we went is because I was having severe pain when nursing. I went to the lactation consultant first and she sent me to this other lady who did the adjustment for free. The pain left over the course of a couple days. What an incredible blessing and relief and answer to prayer- I am almost about to cry just typing this! Clara is 10 months and we just stopped nursing. I had had nursing issues with my first daughter too, but it wasn’t quite so extreme and didn’t get the same level of early help… we stopped nursing earlier and I dealt with some pain and bleeding off and on the whole time.
Our son has such terrible seasonal allergies. I was a skeptic, but a friend talked (twisted my arm actually) me into going to a chiropractor to treat his allergies. The specialist at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital said he had never seen a kiddo that young with such severe seasonal allergies. We were about to start 5 years of allergy shots (4 times a week for the first few months btw…) that could actually kill him if he had a horrid reaction. We went to the chiro and he was better that day, like miraculous, like shout it from the roof-tops, I am a BELIEVER. We got twice a year (one week apart) at the end of spring and the beginning of his allergy season. It’s amazing. $25 per appointment. No pain, all gain. That’s cheaper than a summer’s worth of allergy meds and no bad side effects to boot!
Yay! That’s great Christie!
Wonderful post! I have been going to a chiropractor for the past few years but never thought to take my children, until now when my youngest has eczema. I took all 3 in at the same time. My oldest 2 were out a little here and there and was told to bring them in once a year. But my youngest at 5 months was out quite a bit in the neck area. And he also told me it probably wasn’t a new injury probably since birth. His Eczema has cleared up so much since then. I hadn’t realized how much till I looked back at pictures.
Thank you to everyone! I have cried and laughed and praised God by hearing your stories. Thanks also for sharing your tips and encouragement with each other. God bless you all. Have a blessed weekend!
Wardeh, so glad you shared this post! Some people really have no clue! God is an amazing God and made our bodies to heal themselves! He doesn’t need help, just no interference! We have that on the wall at our office, my hubby is a wellness chiropractor. So blessed that you shared this truth! Blessings to you!
LOVE this! I used to work for a chiropractor who regularly adjusted newborns, infants, and children. It makes so much sense once you realize that the brain sends nerve signals down the spinal cord for the proper function of every single organ in the body. If there is any pressure or misalignments on the nerves, those nerve signals are not being transmitted at 100% capacity. That’s how corrective chiropractic care can help people heal from any illness or disease, as well as recover from pain, naturally.
Preach it girl!
Thank God for good chiropractors! Mine came to the hospital to check my first baby when she was less than 24-hours old and she checked my second baby right after I had him. Neither one needed an adjustment right then but we’re going to see her at least every other week or when the kids fall or are in pain. Amazing care and amazing results.
My second son had colic really bad…we tried everything!! We tried everything, medicine, massage, colic tabs, yogurt and gripe water. Then a woman recommended the chiropractor…I was a bit nervous but we had no other options. After 3 visits he still cried but went longer periods without crying. Then my 3rd son when he was two months old would wake up and scream until he realsed his gas ad then he would pass out. So I took hi
To a chiropractor and it quit. So I am convinced of the chiropractor for kids. And I have been going off and on for 7 years and it has helped my physical capabilities, especially when pregnant!
I am so happy Wardah wrote this post, my husband is a wellness based chiropractor and we have been telling families about getting their kid’s adjusted for years, so glad you bring your kids to a chiro!
I didn’t know you were in Fresno! I use Dr. Hoopes. He does more acupressure than the cracking adjustments that other chiros use. I know he’s done wonders for other babies! You were lucky to have been treated by him.
I have had good results with chiropractic. My 1st son cried as a baby and would not nurse on one side. When he was 3 I started going to the chiropractor for a car accident injury. I would have been in a wheel chair by now if it wasn’t for Chiropractors. Well, after I was getting relief I started taking the 4 other kids. My oldest son the chiropractor said had neck problems and most likely it was from birth. My 6th child had a very traumatic birth. She had no muscle tone at all. The hospital didn’t do much. A social working got involve and didn’t want me to take her to a chiropractor. I did anyway. My daughter will be 18 this summer and is a very healthy active person. I firmly believe in chiropractic care for infants. I wish I would have known about it for my two oldest. Through the years we used chiropratic for ear infections and many other things.
Thank you SO much for this timely post. I am pregnant with our third and have been considering Infant Chiropractic for just after birth. You have sold me. OUr first was born in a hospital, had a very hard, long labor (with 8 hours of pushing on my hands and knees). He cried A LOT for the first few months. I wish I had known about this with him. We did GAPS and I have noticed a big difference in his ability to deal with emotional situations and a more even mood (so it definitely proved a gut-mood connection for me). Anyway, he occasionally grinds his teeth at night now at 4 1/2. I am considering taking him to an appointment as well. I have read some testimonials for chiropractic and teeth grinding and I really don’t think it is a food intolerance issue, after having done GAPS. My hesitation was money and drive time (nearest Pediatric Chiro is 2 hours from us in Portland). This post makes me think we need to make the money work out somehow. You can’t put a price on the health of your babies. Thank you for sharing your story Wardeh!
Megan, I’m not a doctor and this comment is not intended to treat or diagnose… just my opinion from what I have read. Teeth grinding at night is often related to pinworms or another parasite. Does he scratch his behind or chew his fingernails? Another classic sign. It is very common, I have read that up to 50% of children have pinworms at one point in their lives. Pinworms are easy to eradicate with an over-the-counter medication like PinX. Best of luck to you.
I took both my sons to the chiropractor at 4 days old. I still take them regularly. Boys especially are rough and tumble. When they fall, they could be coming out of alignment. We always have them checked 🙂
I love my chiropractor and visit him when I travel back “home”. My husband is a soldier and far from my chiropractor but when we travel back to see Grandma we try to see the chiropractor as well. My first son saw him at 2 years old and he helped us with food sensitivities and behavior issues, I totally changed my kitchen then and it was a big blessing for us. My second son saw him at a few weeks old, he was very colicy and needed quite a bit of adjusting. I have seen this man since I was seven years old and he has helped me so very much.
Wow, I love this post, gives people another perspective! Can you tell I’m passionate about chiropractic thru the 15+ comments, lol… sorry about that! Anyhow, I wanted to share that the word doctor in latin actually means to TO TEACH, make sure whatever doctor you are going to is TEACHING you, not just covering up symtoms! My husband is a wellness chiro & would be so excited about this post! Blessings!
So glad to hear a happy ending story!
I plan to incorporate chiropractic care into my health routine… do you know if alignments twice per year can offer close to the same benefits?
Untill you are actually examined by a chiropractor and x-rays are taken.NO ONE can tell you level of care you will need.
Until a chiropractor examines you and takes x-rays, there is no way of knowing what your personal needs will be. Your chiropractor will come up with a treatment plan designed especially for you. Just because you don’t hurt doesn’t mean you are in alignment.
Wardeh
I’m so happy for your little guy, you did him such a great justice. My whole family sees the same Chiro and I have since I was 17 for a knee injury, but found out I had a few other injuries, mostly likely from childbirth and childhood! Our chiro has kept me, my mother, my brother, my husband out of the hospital not only have we all avoided surgeries MDs have recommended but also healthy from illness and disease. We go every so often as we know our bodies so well that we know when we are out of alignment… We have been taking my son ever since he was 6 weeks old. The main reason was due to the non-stop crying (his neck was out of place) and it was causing major stomach upset every time I bf him, it was awful! We could put our hand on his tummy and feel it cramping up. Dr. O as we call him has always been a part of our Health plan 😉
Really enjoyed your story!!
I’ve just started going to the chiropractor and he told me some stories of babies he’s adjusted…and children he adjusted who SHOULD have been adjusted as babies. He’s seen seizures stop and more. It’s miraculous what can happen when we get our spines the way God made them to be!
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When my son was born (via c-section) they announced to me that they were having to use forceps to dislodge his head from the birth canal. Other than a couple very small bruises he seemed unscathed. However after a couple of weeks I noticed that he was always sleeping with his head to the left and rarely would turn his head to the right. We were having huge issues with him feeding on my right breast (we football-hold feed) as it seemed he just would not turn his neck that way.
The child health nurse that monitored him at his 4 week visit noticed that he had some torticollis but said “Oh it will go away on its own” and didn’t even bother to explain to me what that is. Luckily, I have been to a chiropractor before and have friends who are massage therapists who have told me about the wonders a Chiro can work on newborns with issues from the birth.
The day after visiting the nurse, we booked in to see a chiropractor known to my husband’s family and she was definitely amazing. After our first visit, my son could turn his head to the right and she confirmed my suspicions that this was why he was having such a hard time feeding. Since then, it has been smooth sailing. He is now 4 months and has had 4 follow up visits to ensure that his head shape is continuing to improve (as one side had begun to flatten) and his neck is not stiffening back up. I am definitely an advocate of the chiropractor!
My son received his first chiropractic adjustment when he was 30 min old. I had my chiropractor come to the hospital. He has been adjusted weekly since. He is 18 months old. No immunizations and he has NEVER been sick. No ear infections…nothing! I’m a big proponent of family wellness visits to the chiropractor. If your spine is in alignment, your nervous system works like its supposed to and your body can function like God intended it to. Amazing stuff!
Yes! Both my kids have been adjusted by Dr Braglia in CT since birth… Neither have ever had an ear infection, colic, reflux issues…ever! I strongly believe that chiropractic is the best preventative medicine, our family doesn’t need to go on medicine, antibiotics and such because our weekly adjustments maintain optimal natural function…
It’s so comforting to see other families who have benefited from their babies going to chiropractors. My 3 1/2 month old son was screaming from the day he was born. Nothing would comfort him. I rushed him to the pediatrician all the time. I was told it was colic, reflux, he’ll outgrow it, I’m a new mom….after many weeks just crying (both me and my son) it was suggested by a cousin to bring him to her chiropractor who works with babies and children. At this point I would try anything. I went, and he said his atlas bone was severely out of place and my son was in pain. After the first adjustment I saw a drastic change in his personality. He continues to go (and will go for 3 months) and continues to thrive! This treatment changed our lives! I am so thankful for finding a solution for my son! I wish to tell other parents to trust their instincts if they feel something is wrong. Pediatricians aren’t always right and sometimes don’t “think outside the box.”
I was glad to see this! My infant daughter had fluid retention in her ears & a couple of ear infections. One time while I was visiting my chiropracter, he suggested that he look at her and explained that he often cares for infants & children. He did a very minor adjustment which she didn’t mind at all. That night (at 7 months old) she slept for the entire night for the first time ever!
I just recently went to a chiropractor with my newborn for the exact same reason! Crying all the time, my poor baby, just constantly inconsolable and finally a friend suggested a chiropractor who had experience with infants and the chiropractor said it was a pinched nerve that was causing him so much pain. He did a tiny adjustment to his little shoulder and my son instantly stopped crying. Thank you for bringing awareness about all of this, I can only hope that more mothers can benefit!