Why Parents Visit A Chiropractor For Babies ?
Babies may develop musculoskeletal issues (muscle stiffness and spinal misalignments) as a result of poor birth position. Positions such as transverse (sideways), posterior (spine on spine) or breech ( head towards mum’s rib cage) may create pressure on your baby’s head and spine. These added pressures may result in stiff muscles and joints. Fast deliveries, long labours or deliveries requiring assistance such as forceps, vacuum extraction or caesarean section may increase the risk of babies developing musculoskeletal issues. Musculoskeletal issues have also been found in babies born naturally (1).
How Having Muscle and Joint (musculoskeletal) Issues May Affect A Baby!
Musculoskeletal issues (stiff muscles and joints) may develop during the birth process and be a cause of discomfort in babies (1,2).
Some babies may be born with injury to their neck muscles, as a result of the birth process and have a wry neck (torticollis).
Just like you having a stiff or sore neck, babies with musculoskeletal issues may also experience these feelings.
The Role Of The Chiropractor For Babies!
The role of the chiropractor is to identify stiff muscles and joints in your baby and correct them using appropriate chiropractic techniques.
Our practitioners that treat babies in the practice have completed post graduate studies in chiropractic paediatrics and are very comfortable and confident assessing babies.
Our practitioners may co-manage babies with other health professionals (dentists and doctors) depending on the case.
Treatment ?
Once your baby has been assessed then the chiropractor will discuss their findings. If you choose to continue with treatment, it is tailored to your baby depending on their age and case. The treatment will be demonstrated and it often involves massage to any tight muscles and correction of any spinal imbalances using as much pressure than you can tolerate on your eyeball.
Parents often comment that they wish they had known about chiropractic for babies and visited the clinic earlier.
For any further information, please feel free to call our office and talk to our friendly reception or one of our chiropractors.
References:
(1). Joyce, M.,Fontana, M., Jernlas, K.,Olofsson, H & Verwijst. I. 2013. Risks and rewards of early musculoskeletal assessment. Journal of Health Visiting. Vol 1: Issue 10: 590-596
(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8263433
(3) http://jccponline.com/Musculoskeletal01.pdf