Newborn Chiropractic – Care from Birth

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A baby can experience several kinds of physical complications during childbirth. If a newborn has a misaligned spine, they can suffer digestive problems, develop asthma or have difficulty breastfeeding. New parents often do not think to associate these conditions with a need for a spinal adjustment. Still, a chiropractor with experience caring for newborns can properly assess the baby and help to bring them relief – and to correct any issues before they become worse.

You may wonder if chiropractic treatment is safe for infants and newborns within the first few weeks of life, but there is no need to worry.

Chiropractors experienced in infant care utilize gentle, soft pressure to help restore nervous system function and encourage the baby’s body to heal itself. While sometimes the baby may cry, it is simply because they are unfamiliar with what is happening – but adjustments are not painful in any way.

Pediatric chiropractic care can also increase a child’s mobility and boost their immune system. If you are the parent of a newborn, here are some reasons to consider a visit to the chiropractor.

Facilitates physical development: An infant’s body undergoes many changes in a short period of time. Lower back and neck curvatures begin to form as they start to hold their head up or as they later learn to sit upright. Spinal alignments allow curvatures to develop properly, positively influencing physical development and posture as your child grows.
Boosts recovery after childbirth: The birthing process can adversely affect the nerves in a child’s body, and gentle manipulations during their adjustments can help fix nerve problems and alleviate tension. As an infant’s spine is aligned properly, the nerve dysfunction that can lead to breathing difficulties, reflux, sleeping issues, and colic is remediated.
Supports the immune system: Many people do not understand that the spine affects the immune system. As the nervous system travels through the spine, any misalignment can result in irritated or inflamed nerve pathways, impacting all bodily systems – including the immune system. Through spinal adjustments, an infant’s body works to release disease-fighting cells, enhancing immune function.
Alleviates colic symptoms: Colic may be related to an immature gastrointestinal system, resulting in gas buildup and indigestion. Without some form of release, the gas is trapped and causes pain and bloating. If your baby has been diagnosed with colic by their pediatrician, a trip to the chiropractor may be in order. A skilled pediatric chiropractor will perform subtle manipulations that stimulate the nerve flow to their small intestines, increasing the peristalsis that assists their system in eliminating gas and liquid.
Soothes irritability and fussiness: While it is not uncommon for a newborn baby to be fussy, understanding and identifying the underlying cause can be difficult. Their fussiness could be caused by mobility restrictions in the spine, resulting in sleeping difficulties, headaches, and more. By improving a baby’s overall health, comfort, and well-being, irritability is minimized.

It is never too early to begin chiropractic treatment, but it is essential to find a chiropractor who is both comfortable and experienced in infant care.

Dr. Ryan Johnson is a Sarasota-based chiropractor specializing in care for the entire family – beginning with prenatal adjustments and continuing during the first weeks of life. In fact, Dr. Johnson’s youngest patient was merely hours old when she received her first adjustment.
If you are interested in holistic care for your child, call today to schedule your appointment with Dr. Johnson of Integrated Chiropractic. We look forward to meeting you and your family.

Benefits of Prenatal Chiropractic Care

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Pregnancy is a joyous time, but the physical changes can also make the anticipation uncomfortable. Pregnant women may experience a sore back, aching shoulders, and an unreliable bladder (actually caused by a weak pelvic floor.) Do you have to accept these symptoms as “just part of being pregnant,” or are there proactive measures you can take to make pregnancy more pleasant? Most pregnant women know that taking pain relievers is not recommended, and they can turn to massage or exercise to stretch out aching muscles. But they may be missing out on one of the best ways to feel great throughout those nine months – regular visits to a prenatal chiropractor. 

Like traditional chiropractic services, prenatal chiropractic treatments target spinal and pelvic adjustments to alleviate back pain and tension. But prenatal chiropractic also works to optimize pelvic alignment, which assists with labor and vaginal delivery and ensures the baby has lots of room to grow and develop throughout the third trimester. 

What to Expect at Your Appointment 

If you’ve ever laid face-down on a chiropractic table, you may wonder how to continue to do so as the pregnancy progresses. Chiropractors who provide prenatal services are prepared, however, with specialized and adjustable tables that will accommodate a growing belly all the way through to delivery. These tables, often used in tandem with a special bolster or pillow, keep the belly safely cradled while the head, shoulders, hips, and legs are still adequately supported. 

As mentioned, you can expect the adjustment to focus on pelvis alignment. However, your chiropractor will also address any other areas of tension or pain without triggering discomfort. 

When is Prenatal Chiropractic Care Appropriate?

You can start prenatal chiropractic care at any point during the pregnancy. Still, women will achieve maximum benefit from seeing a chiropractor before even getting pregnant – or at least as soon as they learn of the pregnancy. The earlier that care begins, the stronger the pelvic floor and back, which can mitigate complications and pain throughout the pregnancy. Remember, chiropractic treatment is not essential for successful delivery – but it can certainly help to prepare for labor and help the body to be relaxed and aligned for the big event. 

It is also important to point out that even if you have never been to a chiropractor before pregnancy, it is safe to begin treatment once pregnant.   

Did You Know? The ideal time for a pelvic alignment check is between 24-28 weeks, which helps the baby to settle in the pelvic bowl correctly before full term. 

Can Prenatal Chiropractic Treatment Cause Complications? 

It would not be unreasonable to wonder if chiropractic care during pregnancy could cause complications such as preterm births or miscarriages. However, there is no evidence that care from a pregnancy-specific trained chiropractor presents any medical risk to mothers or babies. Genetic factors, infections, hormonal imbalances, or immune system responses typically cause miscarriage or preterm birth. 

Overall, seeking prenatal chiropractic care offers significant benefits. Prenatal chiropractic care improves the function of the pelvic floor, resulting in healthy birth outcomes and easier postpartum recovery. It can also enhance the quality of life for pregnant patients by alleviating many common pregnancy complaints, including hip pain, lower and middle back pain, sciatica, restless leg syndrome, and headaches.

Dr. Ryan Johnson has treated women in all pregnancy stages and even adjusted babies immediately following their birth. Call our offices today to learn more about the therapeutic benefits of pre-and post-natal chiropractic care. 

Don’t forget! If you are visiting the Sarasota area or on vacation, you are welcome to schedule an appointment with Dr. Johnson. We’d love to meet you.