Learning Library Blog

A case study published in a recent issue of the peer-reviewed, scientific publication, the Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics (JCCP) documented the effects of chiropractic care on a nine month old infant girl with a history of disturbed sleep.  The JCCP is the official publication of the Council on Chiropractic Pediatrics of the International Chiropractors Association. The study article starts off by noting that the average 9 month old should be sleeping approximately 14 hours per day.  In this case study a 9 month old infant girl was presented for chiropractic care with a history of severely disrupted sleep and fussiness.  Additionally, the infant was refusing to breast feed on one side and exhibited, what was called a generally unsettled behavior.  It was also noted that the child would not turn her head to the left.  These problems had been occurring since birth. The examination confirmed a reduced range of neck motion to the left and significant muscle tension in the left upper neck.  Upon touching the neck the child exhibited signs of being in pain by crying and moving away.  It was determined that subluxations were present, and an appropriate course of adjustments was initiated. The results in this case were very impressive.  The study noted that on the afternoon after the infants first adjustment the baby girl fell asleep for 5 hours.  This was followed by a nighttime sleep of 2 periods of 6 hours each.  Over the next 3 weeks of care the daytime sleep got shorter, but the nighttime sleep remained 6 and 8 hours. In addition to the dramatic sleep improvement, the child also improved her range of neck motion and was able to turn her head to the left in response to sound on the left side.  Additionally the infant began to feed freely and comfortably. In their conclusion, the authors of the case study noted that the dramatic improvements after just one adjustment indicated that the vertebral subluxation found in this case was at least in part responsible for the disrupted sleep pattern.  

Colic is a condition in young infants characterized by an unusual amount of crying.  When they cry, they may draw their arms and legs toward their bodies as though they are in pain and may even turn bright red.  Colic usually appears between the 3rd and 6th week after birth and is typically resolved by the time they are 3 months old.  Although no one is certain what causes colic, there are a number of things that likely contribute, such as an immature and irritated nervous system, food sensitivities and gastrointestinal upset. IF YOUR BABY SUFFERS FROM COLIC, THERE ARE A FEW THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP: Seek regular chiropractic care, especially during the first four months. Place a warm water bottle on your baby’s stomach. Rock your baby in a rocking chair or cradle. Give your baby a warm bath. Gently rub your baby’s stomach. Go for a drive with your baby in the car seat. Feed your baby more often with less food at each feeding. If you feed your baby formula, avoid soy or dairy based formulas.