New Research on Breastfeeding & Chiropractic

Recent research reported in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic on a mother with difficulty producing breastmilk, reveals that chiropractic may play an important role in managing nursing mothers. The literature included supports the role of chiropractic in mothers suffering from this health challenge and calls for more research in this area.

CLICK HERE for 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 nursing mothers 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 mother was suffering from low milk supply along with neck, upper back and shoulder pain that all improved 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 36-year-old mother reported on in the study had low milk supply along with neck, upper back and shoulder pain.  She had delivered twins via an emergency c-section which left them in NICU for 22 days.  She felt she was not producing enough milk even though she was pumping constantly.  She became more and more depressed as she struggled with this. 

The chiropractor examined her and found structural shifts in her neck and upper back.  Restrictions were also noted in her shoulder, and tender areas in her chest and neck muscles.  These structural shifts can lead to obstruction of the nerves and it is this obstruction, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors correct. 

Following chiropractic care, she experienced immediate relief in her neck and shoulder pain.  She also described feeling the tingling of milk let down as her milk supply increased for the first time.  In addition to her milk supply normalizing and her back pains resolving,  her overall emotional state improved as well. 

The study’s author called for additional research to investigate the clinical implications of chiropractic in this population.

Contact Information: 

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