How Chiropractic Care Can Help with Colic in Infants
As a parent, seeing your infant suffer from colic can be heart-wrenching. Endless crying, discomfort, and sleepless nights take a toll on both the baby and the family. While colic is common, effective solutions are often hard to come by. At Sprout Family Chiropractic in San Diego, we offer a natural and gentle approach to help manage colic through neurologically-focused chiropractic care.
Understanding Colic
Colic is characterized by excessive, often inconsolable crying in an otherwise healthy baby. It typically starts a few weeks after birth and can last until the baby is about three to four months old. The exact cause of colic is unknown, but it is believed to be related to digestive discomfort or an immature nervous system.
Parents often describe colic as crying that:
Is intense and seems like a baby is in pain: The baby's face might turn red, and their body may be tense, with clenched fists, stiffened arms, and legs pulled up to their tummy.
Occurs in a predictable pattern: The crying usually happens at around the same time each day.
Is resistant to soothing: Traditional methods of comfort, like feeding, rocking, or singing, often do not help.
Follows the "Rule of Threes": Crying lasts for more than three hours a day, for more than three days a week, for at least three weeks.
The exact cause of colic is unknown, but it is believed to be related to several factors:
Digestive Discomfort: Gas, indigestion, or food allergies/intolerances can cause pain and discomfort in infants.
Immature Digestive System: Infants’ digestive systems are still developing and can sometimes have difficulty processing food.
Dysregulated Nervous System: A nervous system stuck in fight or flight due to stress or birth trauma might lead to an inability to regulate crying and respond to stimuli.
Parental Stress: Babies can sometimes pick up on the stress levels of their parents, which can contribute to their discomfort and crying.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help
Chiropractic care focuses on the health and function of the nervous system, which controls all bodily functions, including digestion. Think of the nervous system as a complex network of roads. When there's a traffic jam (subluxation), it can cause problems in various parts of the body, like the digestive system. Chiropractic adjustments act like traffic control, clearing the jams and ensuring smooth travel (communication) throughout the body. Here’s how:
Improving Nervous System Function:
Gentle chiropractic adjustments help remove any interference in the nervous system, known as subluxations. This can improve the communication between the brain and the digestive system, aiding in better digestion and reducing symptoms of colic.
Enhancing Bladder Function:
The spine houses nerves that directly influence digestive function. Misalignments in the spine, particularly in the neck and upper back, can disrupt these signals, leading to digestive issues. Chiropractic adjustments can correct these misalignments, promoting better digestive function.
Reducing Muscle Tension:
Muscle tension and misalignments can contribute to discomfort and exacerbate colic. Chiropractic care helps to relax the muscles and improve alignment, which can reduce discomfort and improve overall well-being.
The Role of INSiGHT Scanning Technology
At Sprout Family Chiropractic, we utilize advanced INSiGHT scanning technology to get a clear picture of your baby’s nervous system function. These scans help us identify any areas of stress or misalignment that might be contributing to colic.
With this information, we create a personalized care plan tailored to your infant's needs, focusing on gentle chiropractic adjustments aimed at restoring balance and improving nervous system function.
Success Stories and Real-Life Impact
Many families have found relief and improvement through chiropractic care at Sprout Family Chiropractic. Parents often report significant reductions in colic symptoms, leading to happier, more comfortable babies and more restful nights.
This is just one mom’s experience: “They say it’s normal for newborns to go through a phase of fussiness and crying for no reason, but my mother’s intuition was telling me that there was something wrong. My baby was being fed, diaper changed, and was also sleeping periodically so there was no reason for him to be crying. The moments he was awake he was crying and looked uncomfortable. Not only did he look uncomfortable but he was showing separation anxiety. Thankfully I came across Sprout Family Chiropractic and took my baby for a scan evaluation. After getting scanned, we were able to determine that my intuition was right, he was dealing with stress. We agreed to a 5 month plan and it was the best decision we made for him. My baby is now able to enjoy his wake time and we are able to use this time to engage him in learning activities because he is in a good mood. Not only has his mood changed but his sleep is better and is in a more relaxed state. We are thankful to Dr. Nicole and Dr. Rachel for listening to our needs and really caring about our baby’s wellbeing.”
A Natural Solution for Colic in Infants
If your infant is struggling with colic, know that you are not alone, and there are natural, effective solutions available. Neurologically-focused chiropractic care at Sprout Family Chiropractic in San Diego can help address the underlying issues contributing to colic, offering your baby relief and improving their overall well-being.
To learn more about how chiropractic care can help with colic or to schedule a consultation, please schedule your appointment online or give us a call today. Together, we can help your baby feel more comfortable and enjoy a better quality of life.