New Chiropractic Research on Sleep Disturbance in Infants

Recent research reported in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic on an infant that had experienced sleep disturbance reveals that chiropractic may play an important role in managing these infants. The literature included supports the role of chiropractic in infants suffering from the related health challenges and calls for more research in this area. “Numerous case studies and some clinical studies are revealing that there is a relationship between abnormalities in the spine, the nervous system and the various health challenges that infants experience” stated Dr. Matthew McCoy, a chiropractor, public health researcher and editor of the journal that published the study.

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McCoy added “In the case report presented, the infant was suffering from disturbed sleep that resolved under chiropractic care because of the nature of the nervous system and its relationship to the spine.” 

According to researchers the nervous system controls and coordinates all functions of the body and structural shifts in the spine can occur that obstruct the nerves and interfere with their function. By removing the structural shifts, chiropractic improves nerve supply and function. 

The infant reported on in the study was a 7-month-old female whose normal sleep pattern was disturbed.  She normally slept about 9-10 hours of sleep at night, then suddenly she was only sleeping 2-3 hours throughout the entire day.  She was fussier and more irritable.  She also had a hard time turning her head to the right. These changes dramatically impacted the quality of life of her parents.  

The chiropractor examined the infant and found structural shifts in her neck, midback, lower back, sacrum, and pelvis.  These structural shifts can lead to obstruction of the nerves and it is this obstruction, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors correct. 

Following chiropractic adjustments, she experienced complete resolution.  She was immediately back to sleeping 9-10 hours at night and improvements were noted in her mood and ability to turn her head. 

The study’s author called for additional research to investigate the clinical implications of chiropractic in infants with disturbance in sleep.

Contact Information: 

Matthew McCoy DC, MPH
Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic
http://www.chiropracticpediatricresearch.com
support@vertebralsubluxationresearch.com