How Can Chiropractic Care Benefit Your Baby?
Posted on: 25 October 2021
Chiropractors treat a wide variety of complaints using a range of hands-on manoeuvres and manual adjustments to ease tense muscles, release trapped nerves and improve spinal alignment. You may not be aware that chiropractors don't just treat adults, but many parents utilise chiropractic care for their babies in the weeks after their birth. When a chiropractor treats a baby, the techniques they use are much gentler than the adjustments they carry out on adult patients, so chiropractic care is considered safe for babies and some doctors will even recommend parents try chiropractic care for their child. Read on to learn about some of the ways chiropractic care can benefit your baby.
Birth Trauma
Delivering a baby can be hard on a woman's body, but it can also take its toll on a baby's body. Toward the end of the third trimester, a baby can have very little space in the womb and whether delivered vaginally or by C-section a lot of pressure can be applied to a baby's body during the birthing process. Chiropractors often treat newborns who have a slight spinal misalignment, meaning one or more of their vertebras need to be adjusted back into alignment with the rest of their spine. It's believed this misalignment can occur as a result of the birthing process, particularly if it was a long or complicated birth. Spinal adjustment on a baby consists of gentle finger touches to the exact area requiring adjustment and does not involve any significant pressure.
Colic And Reflux
Colic and reflux are common complaints in babies and can make those early weeks difficult for both the baby and the parents. An immature or underactive gastrointestinal system may be the cause of colic or reflux in some babies and chiropractors believe spinal health and alignment can impact intestinal function, so they treat colic and reflux with gentle spinal adjustment and soothing muscle manipulation to stimulate healthy intestinal movement and encourage the movement of gas and fluids.
Ear Infections
Ear infections can occur in babies due to fluid building up and failing to drain out of the Eustachian tube. Bacteria can thrive in this fluid and the inner ear pressure created by the fluid build-up can cause ear pain and discomfort. Chiropractors aim to unblock the Eustachian tube by utilising gentle manipulation to dilate the surrounding muscles. This can bring quick relief from pain, but some babies will also require medication to combat bacterial infection.
If you'd like to know more, contact a local general chiropractor office. Many offer a free initial consultation to discuss any issues you're concerned about and outline possible treatment approaches.
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