Chiropractic Health -- Infant Colic / Reflux

Infant Colic / Reflux

Symptoms of infantile colic and/or reflux include fussing after feeding, crying for long periods of time, abdominal cramping and pain, excessive spitting-up, vomiting, arching of the neck and back as if in pain, etc.


How Upper Cervical Care Relates to Infantile Colic / Reflux

Evidence supports that certain cases of infantile colic and reflux result from the malfunction of nerves that control the gastrointestinal system (autonomic nervous system and/or enteric nervous system) and/or the immune system, or following trauma to the spine and/or spinal cord. In each of these cases, it is possible the upper cervical spine is involved since injury to the cervical spine can create malfunction within the autonomic nervous system, the immune system, and the nerves traveling from the brain to the gastrointestinal system.

The purpose of upper cervical care is to reverse the trauma-induced neck injury; thereby reducing irritation to the injured nerves that supply the immune system and the gastro-intestinal system. In certain pediatric cases, the cervical injury can occur from the normal birthing process due to the tremendous forces exerted upon the infant's head/neck region, especially if forceps and/or suction are used or if the umbilical cord is wrapped around the neck. An upper cervical examination is necessary in each child's case to assess whether an upper cervical injury is present and whether benefit from IUCCA upper cervical care can be achieved.