Relieving Infants' Colic Problems With Gentle Chiropractic Care

Alleviating Symptoms Naturally

At Affinity Chiropractic, we understand the challenges colicky babies and their parents face. Our approach focuses on gentle techniques to provide relief for infants suffering from colic.

Connecting Spinal Health and Colic

The nerves in the mid-thoracic spine directly influence the digestive system. When subluxations or improper movement occur in the spine in these areas, it may irritate the nerves and disrupt proper digestion. This often leads to symptoms such as gas, fussiness, and crying.

Key Indicators for New Parents

For first-time parents, it can be challenging to differentiate between colic and general fussiness in babies. Some key indicators of colic include:

• Fussiness consistently occurring at specific times of the day
• Excessive gas during particular times of the day
• Lack of improvement with gas-reducing medications prescribed by pediatricians

Please note that treating the symptom with medication does not address the root cause of colic.

Chiropractic care, on the other hand, focuses on restoring proper spinal health and nerve function, providing long-term relief for infants.

Gentle Techniques for Relief

We use gentle chiropractic techniques tailored to the age and size of the baby to provide relief from colic. One effective approach involves sustained hold adjustments in the upper to mid-thoracic region. By applying precise pressure to these areas, we can alleviate their symptoms. Additionally, we also check the baby’s full spine to ensure there are no other subluxations or interferences to affect the proper functioning of the nervous system.

For larger babies, we may use an Activator® with a buffered adjustment technique. This method reduces the amount of thrust applied by using the Activator through a finger, ensuring the comfort and safety of the baby throughout the process.

Home Care

To complement our chiropractic care, we often recommend gentle massage along the baby’s back. Parents can easily perform this massage while holding their baby, by gently stroking down the spine with their fingertips.

This simple technique helps alleviate muscle tension and allows parents to identify any areas of tenderness or discomfort. If the baby squirms or fusses when a specific spot is massaged, it may indicate the presence of a subluxation that requires adjustment.