Birthing & Babies

BABIES & CHIROPRACTIC

Our practice sees many newborn babies from the first few days after birth, onward.  It is by far the most satisfying work that we do - seeing the improvements that young babies make so quickly after having a spinal checkup.  When any part of a person's spine is not working well, it can impact upon the function of nerves passing through that section of the spine - resulting in reduced or altered function of any muscle, tissue, organ or system of the body that is controlled by the nerves in question.  Babies are no different!  In fact, babies are in the enviable position of being able to be checked FROM BIRTH, therefore reducing the likelihood of health problems at a later age due to to undiagnosed subluxations (pressure on the spinal cord or nerves due to misalingment of spines or joints).   

Why check a baby from birth?

It is paramount that babies are checked as soon as possible after birth.  In utero, a baby's spine may develop problems because of foetal contraints.  Unusual birth presentations/positions can also cause the spine and cranium to be pushed out of place.  Even during a "natural" childbirth, a considerable amount of force is placed upon the delicate head, neck and spine of the baby.  Fortunately, nature has designed the baby's skull to be quite pliable, but the skull, bone and muscles supporting the head are only partially formed at birth.  If the baby's head or neck is tilted during birth, it can place a massive amount of pressure on the spinal joints of the head, neck and spine - and these joints do not yet have surrounding muscles that are developed enough to support them.  Intervention during birth (including suction or forceps) can place a considerable amount of stress upon the developing joints and the delicate nerves that they protect, including twisting and pulling of the neck, stress, streching and pressure.   Even a caesarean will often involve bending, twisting and stretching of the head, neck and spine.   

These types of stresses can have far reaching effects on the baby's body after birth.  As the baby's delicate nerves are responsible for the functioning of every organ and system in his/her body, stress upon and disturbance of the spinal joints can have a massive effect on their health.  The cause of many newborn health complaints such as colic, irritability, reflux, digestive problems, sleep difficulties, difficulty sucking and attaching for breastfeeding, vomiting and recurrent chest and ear infections, can often be traced back to irritation to the nervous system caused by spinal and cranial misalignments, usually caused during the birth process. 

"So much depends on that very first adjustment" International Chiropractic Paediatric Association (ICPA)

Chiropractic Adjustments for Babies are safe and effective

Spinal "adjustments" for infants and young children are remarkably safe.  Light adjustments (using only finger tip pressure or a special instrument called an "activator") are all that is required to check for and remove any interference to nerve flow, by restoring mobility to joints.  The pressure used to check and adjust babies is no more than that used to test the ripeness of a tomato.  In fact, many babies that come to see us fall asleep during their adjustments! 

The rough and tumble of daily life!

Babies and young children progress through many developmental milestones....many of them come with guaranteed bumps and bruises!  In the first year, babies learn to hold their head up, sit upright, crawl and walk.  These are all activities that can affect spinal alignment.  These are important times to get your baby/child checked by your chiropractor...and don't forget the falls, sports injuries, playground mishaps and the rough and tumble of daily life.  All of these stages can result in stress to the spine and joints which protect your child's delicate nervous system. 

Effective for babies

A child's spine will generally respond quicker than an adults to chiropractic adjustments. and it may only take a few adjustments to restore normal function (depending on the presenting problem).  Children respond well to chiropractic adjusments because their bodies have a great capacity to heal, and they have not yet developed the abnormal positions, movements and spinal compensations that many adults have developed. 

What if my baby does not have any symptoms?

Just as a tooth cavity may have no symptoms, the same principle applies to vertbral subluxations (Dr Jennifer Bahram-Floreani, Well Adjusted Babies).  Your child does not have to be sick to be developing with subluxations, which can place stress on spinal nerves and therefore affect the communication systems of the body, particularly the immune and nervous systems.  A healthy nervous system can boost immune function (see the section "Your Dr Within" for information about natural immunity). 

Choosing a chiropractor for your family

We pride ourselves on the fact that over 80% of our new clients come from the recommendation of current clients.  As with all health practitioners, you should talk to other clients and families and get their feedback about the practice you choose.   When coming to our practice, one of the first things you may notice is the number of families that come to see us.  Our chiropractors have years of combined experience seeing babies and kids, and are confident working with children. They also attend regular seminars to keep their skills up in the area of paediatrics.