New Research on Colic in Infants
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 infants 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 was suffering from colic and sleep disturbances 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 6-week-old infant in this case was suffering from colic, sleep disturbances, and difficulty latching to breastfeed. She would only sleep for two to four hours and only on her stomach. When she would wake up, she would scream and cry until she was exhausted. Swaddling, lying on her back, and being in the car seat made her more irritable. Her mother stopped breastfeeding after only two weeks due to her inability to latch effectively. Formula feeding often ended in projectile vomiting.
The chiropractor examined her and found structural shifts in her neck and low back. She was in great distress and cried for the entire examination. Decrease in range of motion, muscle spasms, and postural abnormalities were noted in the neck, mid back, and low back. Additional testing confirmed these findings. 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 improvements in her posture and became relaxed. Her range of motion improved, she was able to lay on her back without screaming or appearing to be in distress, she began sleeping for several hours at a time and she was able to breastfeed.
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
