Why a Newborn Should be Evaluated by a Pediatric Chiropractor
Many parents are unaware of the benefits chiropractic care can have for their newborn baby. It may seem odd to think that a brand new baby would have any previous injuries that warrant a visit to a Charlotte pediatric chiropractor.
The birthing process is the most common event that places stress upon a newborn’s spine. Even the smoothest births, such as natural childbirth, can be extremely strenuous and forceful not only for mom but also for a baby.
If a baby is in fetal distress, or a birth provider thinks they need help during the push phase, it is common for a doctor to pull on the baby’s limbs and head or use tools such as suction vacuums and forceps to reposition the baby.
An article in Pathways magazine, by Cole Bradburn, D.C. noted a study conducted by Viola Frymann (an American osteopathic Doctor) that stated 90% of newborns suffered the affects of birth trauma associated through the neck and cranial areas following birth. Frymann, studied more than 1,500 babies periodically across an eight-year period. She examined all babies within the first five days of birth; many of which were examined within the first 24 hours of birth. This study revealed that approximately:
- 10% of the newborn babies had perfect, freely mobile skulls or cranial mechanisms.
- 10% had severe trauma to the head, evident even to untrained observers.
- The remaining 80 percent all had some strain patterns in the cranial mechanism.
If left uncorrected, the trauma would continue to impact a baby’s spinal growth and development, reducing the health of their nervous system.
Some common symptoms associated with birth traumas that a parent may notice include, acid reflux, colic, breastfeeding difficulties, sleeping difficulties, troubled breathing and delayed development. Even if your newborn shows no symptoms, it’s best to get an evaluation from a pediatric chiropractor to make sure no traumas are left undetected.
Newborn evaluations and adjustments are proven to be safe and gentle. Dr. Bob Mason, a pediatric chiropractor in Charlotte, looks for disturbances within a baby’s central nervous (known as subluxations) that interfere with growth and development and everyday functions such as nursing, breathing and sleeping. By removing interferences, the baby’s nervous system is able to function optimally to improve their quality of life.
Chiropractic adjustments on newborns are gentle, safe and effective. Because a newborn’s spine is not calcified yet, the pressure that is required is low and can be compared to the same pressure someone would use to test the ripeness of a tomato.
To find a pediatric chiropractor in your area be sure to visit
www. ICPA4kids.com.