How Chiropractic Can Ease Colic in Leland

It’s no secret that parenting a newborn is hard. The sleepless nights, learning a new baby’s cues, and figuring out what they need and when they need it can be overwhelming at times. But if your baby is suffering from colic, that can exacerbate your frustrations and bring increased stress to the whole household. While there are some traditional methods for dealing with colic, one method that is a bit lesser-known is chiropractic care.

What Exactly Is Colic?

Colic isn’t a precise diagnosis, but if your baby is suffering from several of the symptoms, it’s likely that your pediatrician will assume colic is the cause and move forward as such. Colicky babies tend to cry for long periods of time with no explanation. You’ve changed his diaper, fed him, he’s slept, and he should otherwise be content—but he’s not. Inconsolable crying is a key tenant of colic. Additionally, babies with colic will flex their stomach muscles, straighten out their legs, and ball up their fists often, typically when they’re crying. Most babies who experience colic do so from around three weeks of age until about three months of age, though some babies may suffer from it earlier or later than that.

What Causes Colic?

There is no known and specific cause of colic. Some doctors think it may stem from what a baby is eating. More specifically, the ingredients in the formula or the breastmilk that he or she is eating. Baby’s digestive system often plays a role, whether that is due to food intolerances, poor digestion due to immature digestive development, an imbalance of digestive bacteria, gas buildup, or under- or overfeeding.

Another cause of colic that is lesser-known but well-studied is a spinal misalignment. Even when babies are brand new, they can have vertebrae that are out of proper alignment and this can cause problems in their overall body function. The birth experience can be quite traumatic for babies and their tiny bodies, and misalignments commonly occur during birth, no matter how the baby was delivered. If you or your doctor suspects colic in your baby, trust that something can be done to find relief.

How Does Chiropractic in Leland Help with Colic?

Because digestive health and overall nervous system function both play a large role in colic, chiropractic care is an excellent choice when it comes to treating colic. Chiropractic is completely safe especially for babies, as the pressure a chiropractor uses to adjust a newborn is extremely gentle and light. It’s also all-natural and drug-free, so there is no risk of side effects or adverse reactions. When an adjustment is given to a baby with colic, the vertebrae achieve proper alignment, the muscles release tension, and the central nervous system is able to perform more optimally. This means that any potential dysfunction with the digestive system or any other system of the baby’s body is eradicated, and healthy function is restored. Studies have proven that chiropractic care is extremely effective for minimizing the symptoms of colic and finally bringing about much-needed relief to both babies and parents.

To learn more about how chiropractic care can help resolve your baby’s colic, get in touch with Leland chiropractor Dr. Marcus Woodburn. He and his team at Greatest Potential Chiropractic are ready to serve you and your family today.