Chiropractic myofascial therapy is making important strides forward in helping resolve colic symptoms in young babies.
Colic is a relatively common condition in the western world, but its definitive cause and cure continues to be the centre of much debate in medical circles.
The condition is defined as when an otherwise healthy, well-fed baby regularly cries or fusses for more than three hours a day.
This is very difficult and stressful for the caregivers, but there is help and hope for those families in this distress.
Extensive crying can have other causes, so it’s important to see your doctor to rule out any other sickness.
Colic can be helped by many different interventions, including:
• Reducing lactose in breastfeeding moms.
• Being on the correct formula for formula fed babies.
• Probiotic and prescription medication.
• Chiropractic myofascial therapy, reducing muscular spasm through gentle touch.
• Using baby safe essential oils.
As a chiropractor I have seen first-hand the benefits of Chiropractic, with many patients experiencing improvements in sleep and less irritability from the first treatment.
Chiropractic helps to regulate the baby’s nervous system, which in turn settles their gut and decreases muscular tension, leading to a calmer baby.
Chiropractic myofascial therapy also helps promote immune function and reduces inflammation.
Many colicky babies have restricted motion of the pelvis and thoracic spine, which causes restriction in bowel and gas movements.
Chiropractic on babies is a gentle touch therapy, that incorporates craniosacral therapy (the same pressure you would use on touching your eyeball).
While colic is fairly common in western society, it is rare in traditional or rural cultures. Extensive research has concluded that this is because of the way babies are looked after in these societies.
Most significant is the practice of wearing/carrying babies (front, back and side) for a lot of the day in an upright posture until after a year.
When carried on the back, their legs rest straight down until about six months old, and then the mom starts to put baby’s legs around her waist so that there is no damage to their hips.
The upright posture and constant motion allows for good digestion and assists gut mobility as well as developing the nervous system and promoting a stronger neck and spine.
Constant touch also promotes the emotional connection with the caregiver.
This is contrary to western practices of leaving babies in chairs, car seats, sitting or lying down for large parts of the day.
Traditional cultures also have the advantage of communal living, which means there are more hands available to carry the baby all day.
As colic sometimes lasts a little while, you might need to employ some extra help for a short season or ask a retired friend or family member to help you out a few hours a day.
While extremely challenging, this is normally a short season. In no time you will be laughing and playing happily with your baby and this will be only a distant memory.
Dr Tracey Joelson qualified as a chiropractor in 2001 and now works from Eden Health in Salt Rock. She has four children and a special interest in family wellness and children.
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