New Research on Birth Trauma, Breastfeeding & Chiropractic

Recent research reported in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic on a neonate who experienced birth trauma and had difficulty latching to breastfeed, reveals that chiropractic may play an important role in helping these infants. The literature included supports the role of chiropractic in infants suffering from these health challenges and calls for more research in this area.

CLICK HERE to review the research

“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 newborns experience” stated Dr. Matthew McCoy, a chiropractor, public health researcher and editor of the journal that published the study. 

McCoy added “In the case report presented, the infant experienced a traumatic birth and was suffering from difficulty breastfeeding that resolved under chiropractic care because of the nature of the nervous system and its relationship to the spine.  Anytime there are imbalances in the head and neck this can alter the infant’s ability to latch onto the breast to nurse properly.” 

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 6-hour-old neonate in this study was suffering from a misshapen head, swelling and bruising at the base of the skull.  His upper body was in a tight forward bending posture and resistant to straightening.  He had decreased range of motion in the neck in addition to a tongue tie and lip tie.   Breastfeeding was painful and difficult and he cried in pain.  

The chiropractor examined the agitated infant and found structural shifts in his upper neck and skull. These structural shifts can lead to obstruction of the nerves and it is this obstruction, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors correct. 

Immediately following a chiropractic adjustment, he experienced improvement in breastfeeding by being able to nurse on both sides equally, his range of motion improved, and his muscles in the upper neck and back began to relax.   The swelling at the base of the skull improved as well.  

The study’s author called for additional research to investigate the clinical implications of chiropractic in infants with birth trauma difficulty latching.       

Contact Information: 

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