Sixteen Infants with Acid Reflux and Colic Undergoing Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care to Correct Vertebral Subluxation: A Retrospective Analysis of Outcome. Erin Elster, D.C. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal and Family Health – Chiropractic. Volume 2009 Issue 2.
“The 16 infants were diagnosed by their physicians with acid reflux (9 infants) or colic (7 infants). Ten of the 16 mothers reported difficulty in their child’s birth (mechanical forces) that could have caused upper cervical injuries, such as the use of vacuum extraction or the wrapping of the umbilical cord around the infant’s neck.
Two diagnostic tests, paraspinal digital infrared imaging and laser-aligned cervical radiography, were performed according to IUCCA protocol. These tests objectively identify trauma-induced upper cervical subluxations (misalignments of the upper cervical spine from the neural canal) and resulting neuropathophysiology. Upper cervical subluxations were found in all 16 infants and all 16 cases were resolved with IUCCA upper cervical care.
A causal link between birth trauma-induced upper cervical injury and the onset of acid reflux and colic appears to exist. Correcting the injury to the upper cervical spine through the use of IUCCA protocol appears to reverse infantile colic and acid reflux. Further study in a controlled, experimental environment with a larger sample size is recommended.”
What is this? This is an excerpt from a 2009 study regarding chiropractic and infants. It describes infants under chiropractic care to correct vertebral subluxation.
What were they doing in the study? They were looking at presence of subluxation causing colic and acid reflux in infants. In the study, the researchers were looking back at children with either acid reflux or colic who had been referred to a chiropractic clinic. They reviewed the exam at the chiropractor’s office and the findings of the exam. They also discussed what was causing the symptoms of colic and acid reflux in these infants.
What did the study find? Sixteen infants were examined and found to have vertebral subluxation. Many of the children had traumatic births. All sixteen of these infants had subluxation of the upper cervical spine – the top part of their necks. Following a series of adjustments to correct the subluxations, the colic and acid reflux symptoms began going away.
Are there other studies, or is this the first one like it? Actually, there are many similar studies, dating back to 1991, following children numbering into the thousands. See this for more on children, infants, chiropractic and colic and reflux issues.
Who should I give this to? Anyone with a young child (especially if the birth process was difficult), anyone with a child experiencing colic or reflux issues, or any expecting or soon-to-be expecting mothers.
