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Monday, April 25, 2005
Babies and chiropractic
A recent review of a 1992 study [1] revealed important points regarding upper neck strains in newborns and manual adjustments. The condition called suboccipital strain is generally due to birth trauma involving multiple fetuses, prolonged labor or use of extraction aids.
Symptoms include scoliosis, torticollis ( twisted neck), facial asymmetry, motor problems, excessive crying, extreme sensitivity in the neck, bent posture that does not correct with sleep, fever and loss of appetite. Early symptoms are fussiness, waking every hour , sensitive neck and loss of appetite. If left unchecked, at age 5 or 6 common symptoms might include restlessness, concentration problems, inability to absorb stress, headache and postural sleep problems.
The study involved 600 children under the age of two. Postural correction helped the symptoms and it was found that treatment can be shortened by including manual adjustments.
The author presents three case studies where manipulation ( manual adjustment) improved the symptoms and the baby was able to sleep and eat better.
The reason for injuries is that the upper cervical (neck) spine is a weak spot. Due to the fact that many nerve cells are in the upper neck, motor problems occur from problems in this area.
Dr. Jay has dealt with a number of these cases including torticollis and failure to thrive (incessant crying) with good effect. Christopher Reeves was a good example of how important the upper neck alignment is to nerve function. It is also interesting to note that 5 or 6 year old children with this problem had trouble concentrating.
Dr. Jay states he has seen hundreds of children with spinal misalignment due to the birth process. He doe not recall any having poor results from the adjustments.
Note: The amount of pressure necessary to adjust a child is about that to check a tomato for ripeness.
1. Biederman, H, Kinematic Imbalances Due to Suboccipital Strain in Newborns, Journal of Manual Medicine, June (No. 6) 1992, pp151-156.
Symptoms include scoliosis, torticollis ( twisted neck), facial asymmetry, motor problems, excessive crying, extreme sensitivity in the neck, bent posture that does not correct with sleep, fever and loss of appetite. Early symptoms are fussiness, waking every hour , sensitive neck and loss of appetite. If left unchecked, at age 5 or 6 common symptoms might include restlessness, concentration problems, inability to absorb stress, headache and postural sleep problems.
The study involved 600 children under the age of two. Postural correction helped the symptoms and it was found that treatment can be shortened by including manual adjustments.
The author presents three case studies where manipulation ( manual adjustment) improved the symptoms and the baby was able to sleep and eat better.
The reason for injuries is that the upper cervical (neck) spine is a weak spot. Due to the fact that many nerve cells are in the upper neck, motor problems occur from problems in this area.
Dr. Jay has dealt with a number of these cases including torticollis and failure to thrive (incessant crying) with good effect. Christopher Reeves was a good example of how important the upper neck alignment is to nerve function. It is also interesting to note that 5 or 6 year old children with this problem had trouble concentrating.
Dr. Jay states he has seen hundreds of children with spinal misalignment due to the birth process. He doe not recall any having poor results from the adjustments.
Note: The amount of pressure necessary to adjust a child is about that to check a tomato for ripeness.
1. Biederman, H, Kinematic Imbalances Due to Suboccipital Strain in Newborns, Journal of Manual Medicine, June (No. 6) 1992, pp151-156.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THIS BLOG SHOULD IN NO WAY BE CONSTRUED AS PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR OPINIONS.
IT IS SIMPLY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR.