How Chiropractic Care Can Help with Infantile Colic

Colic presents as inconsolable crying in otherwise healthy infants usually starting around 2-3 weeks after birth and lasting up to 3 months or longer. The criteria for true colic is violent crying 3 hours per day, 3 days per week for at least 3 weeks with resolution by 4 months of age. During colic episodes, infants may arch backwards, kick, flail, tighten their fists, draw their knees to their chests and appear to be in despair. Current treatment options include drug therapy, dietary modification, parent-infant behavior modification, advising parents, and chiropractic care for kids.

Can Chiropractic Help Colic?

Chiropractic has a 94% success rate with colic!

There have been numerous studies on colic and chiropractic. One study in The Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapeutics, where 73 chiropractors adjusted 316 infants with moderate to severe cases of colic, showed remarkable results. Over a period of 2 weeks (usually 3 visits), 94% of infants showed improvement compared to the other group of infants given Dimethicone drops, which only improved by 38%. This study was repeated 10 years later with virtually identical results. Many parents are now discovering how chiropractic care can help with infantile colic to avoid unnecessary medication.

What Else Can I Do for My Baby?

In addition to seeking wellness care for your child, these tips may help infants with colic:

• Make sure you have the correct breastfeeding technique (if breastfeeding).

• Cut out all trouble foods such as coffee, chocolate, champagne, and cruciferous vegetables.

• Avoid cow’s milk.

• Try quality probiotics for mother and baby.

• Drink plenty of water and allow time for the baby to burp.

• Utilize stomach massage for infants.

• Don’t overfeed your newborn!

Ear Infections (Otitis Media)

Many children will experience high temperatures and discomfort or oozing from the ear with ear infections. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, many new guidelines recommend a “watch and wait” criteria for ear infections rather than immediate intervention. The most common treatment today is antibiotics such as amoxicillin. Eventually, if antibiotics fail, a doctor may try surgery for the placement of tubes in the ears. Unfortunately, in our instant gratification society, many parents want relief right away and expect antibiotics.

So, How Effective are Traditional Treatments?

Let’s look at the research: One double-blind study featured 171 children with ear infections divided into 4 groups based on severity. The groups received tubes, antibiotics, a combination of both, or no drugs or surgery (watch and wait). The conclusion? There was no difference between the outcomes of any of the groups. Their bodies fought the infection off naturally.

Furthermore, children who receive antibiotics for ear infections and tonsillitis will likely have a recurrence of the illness. One publication shows that children using antibiotics for earaches suffered 2–6 times more recurrent infections than those who did not.

One British study looked at patients who had a tube placed in only one ear. The results showed that the eardrum with the tube placement tended to develop scar tissue which had the potential for future hearing loss, while the untreated ear healed normally. Similarly, a study in the Netherlands involving 240 children found no significant difference in pain duration or crying between those taking amoxicillin and those taking a placebo.

What Can I Do for My Child With Ear Infections?

There are a number of different ways to handle ear infections. My favorite method is chiropractic! By restoring nerve flow, the body can effectively fight off infection and drain fluids away from the ear. Research published in what children teach us on the adjustment table highlights the surprising impact of pediatric care on systemic health.

Evidence from an 18-year study of 4,600 cases found that when there was a restriction in spinal motion (subluxation), ear infections occurred. When the spinal motion and nerve function were restored, further complications usually did not develop. In another study of 46 children, 93% of all cases improved with chiropractic adjustments, with nearly half seeing results after only 1 or 2 visits.

Natural steps for recovery include:

• Ensuring your child gets lots of rest.

• Using garlic oil or breast milk in the ear for pain relief.

• Keeping the ear dry (avoid swimming).

• Avoiding mucus-producing foods like dairy, bananas, and soy.

If you are looking for an experienced chiropractor to help your family, professional treatment is available for all ages to support natural healing.