paediatrics: newborns, babies & children
chiropractic care in infancy
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At Dundee, Edinburgh and Fife Chiropractic Clinic, we see babies as young as a few days old through to toddlers and well into childhood. The kids we see in our clinic present with a variety of paediatric related issues, some common issues can relate to sleep and digestion. It’s important to mention that the care involved is very specific and gentle, and vastly different from adult care.
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Our chiropractors are specifically educated in pregnancy and paediatrics possessing knowledge, techniques and experience beyond that of other Scottish MSK colleagues and enjoying the support of and direction of our Clinical Director.
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Our Clinical Director, Jayne Brassington (B.App.Science, B.Clin.Sci, DICCPeds, Exec.MBA) is one of the leading clinical paediatric chiropractors in Scotland and possibly Britain with a specialised degree qualification and over 20 years of experience in treating young infants, toddlers and their pregnant and post- partum mothers.
A common concern amongst parents is that chiropractic care is not suitable for babies and children. Our chiropractic care is suitable and tailored specifically with adjusting techniques mastered at post graduate level in paediatrics and pregnancy. For this reason, it is important to find someone qualified and experienced for your child or infant.
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During the session, our chiropractor’s make gentle adjustments, which can sometimes look like a gentle massage and other times a touch of a hand. The pressure used by the practitioner is similar to the pressure one uses to test the ripeness of fruit and is perfectly safe.
When the nervous system is working properly, your baby is able to eat and sleep and grow with far less issues during their peak development days.
For any questions and concerns regarding how we may be able to help you, your infant, toddler, child or teenager please call us, we will be happy to book a consultation and guide you accordingly.
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There are numerous studies and research to support the effectiveness of chiropractic care for reducing fussiness in infants, along with relieving symptoms of colic, gastroesophageal reflux, latch, feeding and problems with sleeping, some of which are documented below. If traditional methods have proven to be ineffective for a problem, chiropractic care can be a viable option.
further research
During labour and birth both mother and baby can be exposed to degrees of trauma. The Fludder and Keil study of 2018 suggests that a traumatic birth can cause motion abnormalities in the infant resulting in diminished neurogenesis. The study refers to reduced range of motion in all neonates with increasing figures depending of the type of intervention at birth. Correcting these abnormalities early may restore the potential trajectory of neurogenesis. (2)
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Neurogenesis (the birth of a neuron)
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Migration
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Differentiation
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Maturity
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Synaptogenesis (the birth of a new synapses)
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Synaptic Pruning
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Myelinogenesis
neurodevelopment
Optimal motor and sensory input is crucial to create the pathways to normal brain development. Without such the circuitry of the brain is compromised at step one of neurodevelopment. (2)
The first thousand days of life are said to be a critical point in a child’s sensory and motor development. (1)
Dr Amy Hass states, “ in the first critical weeks and months of a child’s life when neuronal proliferation is underway, ensuring optimal motor and sensory input may be critical.” (7)
“This potentially makes infants and paediatrics the most significant time window in terms of chiropractic care having an impact on optimal neural development across the lifespan. The existence of birth trauma and resultant motion abnormality is not refutable. It has been clearly documented.” (7)
plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome)
According to Fludder and Keil 2018, 46.6% of infants present with plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome) this may be due to a result in motion restriction and can be further exacerbated if feeding and sleeping is restricted to a preferred side. (2)
breast feeding
​We are all aware that breast feeding has huge benefits for both mum and baby however, in order to breast feed successfully an infant must coordinate “latch, suck, swallow and breathe” This involves 6 cranial nerves, 22 cranial bones and 60 muscles both voluntary and involuntary. Many issues can complicate this process and both mother and baby can come across difficulties with ease of this process. (4)
tongue tie
A case report by Parker in 2019 tells of a study involving an infant presenting with “ limited range of motion, biomechanical joint dysfunction, excessively recessed jaw, inability to open wide and cranial asymmetry” Following the infants’ lip and tongue-tie being treated by the local paediatric dentist the report details the feeding discomfort of the infant and the painful latch for the mother. The report itself addresses cranial anatomy and mechanisms, tongue and jaw motion, tongue tie, plagiocephaly and the role of the facial muscles.
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Following a trial of chiropractic care the infant’s mother reported improved latch from the first adjustment followed by improved range of motion in his neck and improved jaw motion. By two weeks later the mother and chiropractor noted that all the infants presenting complaints had been completely resolved. (3)
"The Maternal Report of Outcomes of Chiropractic Care for Infants" was a UK based study involving more than 2000 mothers and infants ranging from 3 weeks to around 12 weeks old, reporting findings before and after a trial period of care delivered by registered chiropractic clinicians.
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It reported infant profile at first presentation with over half of the mothers noting improvements across a broad range of complaints.
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Feeding Problems
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Sleep Issues
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Excessive Crying
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Problems with Supine Sleep
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Infant pain
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Restricted cervical range of motion
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Time performing prone position
The mothers also reported significantly improved ratings of depression, anxiety and satisfaction of motherhood. (5)
colic
Many new parents experience infantile colic. There are several different presentations of colic. If you are unsure if your baby has colic we would encourage you to come for a check-up.
Possible contributors of colic are reported to be:
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An undeveloped digestive system
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Bacterial imbalance in the gut
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Food allergies and intolerances
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Overfeeding
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Underfeeding
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Gas
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Migraine
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Familial stress or anxiety
There is lacking research in this area in order to be more positive regarding patient outcomes, however, the European study by Carnes et al finding “moderate to favourable evidence for reduction in crying time in infants.
references
1) Cusick S and Geogieff M, “The First Thousand Days of Life: The brains window of opportunity” UNICEF 2 April 2019
2) Fludder C, and Keil B (2018) “Instrument Assisted delivery and the Prevalence of reduced cervical Spine Range of Motion” Chiropractic Journal of Australia 28 November 2018
3) Parker M (2019) “Resolution of Inability to Latch, Breastfeed, Excessively Recessed Jaw and Plageocephaly in a Newborn Undergoing Chiropractic Care: A Case Report and review of Literature” Journal Paediatric, Maternal and Family Health, June 17, 2019
4) Smith L “Impact of Birthing Practices on the Breastfeeding Dyad” Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health 2007
5) Miller J Hanson, Hiew M, Lo Tiap Kwong, D, Mok Z, Tee, Y, (2019)“Maternal report of Outcomes of Chiropractic Care for Infants” Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics.
6) Carnes D, Plunket A, Ellwood J, Miles C “Manual Therapy for unsettled, distressed and excessively crying infants: a systematic review and meta analyses. BMJ Open 2018.
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7) Hass, A, Contributing Author “The Case for Chiropractic”, Australian Spinal Research Foundation, third edition 2020.