Case Study: Help for Child with Developmental Delay, Colic and Acid Reflux

The Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health just published a case study on a 15 month old girl that presented with developmental delay to a chiropractic office.  Her developmental delays included not standing, walking or talking for her age group.  It was noted that she had previously had chiropractic care for colic and GERD (basically acid reflux) which had resolved quickly. 

Subluxations were found by the chiropractor in the upper neck and very low back.  After 18 visits this little girl was able to walk unassisted and speak 3-4 words in Greek and English. 

This is an example of how chiropractic care can help make a world of difference in a young person's life.  Chiropractic care is more than pain management, it is about identifying areas of the body that are not functioning as they should and training them to work correctly again.

How Does Chiropractic Care Help with Ear Infections?

For anyone who still associates chiropractic care only with back pain, they have a hard time understanding how an adjustment can have any effect upon an infection in a child's ear.  It comes down to the fact that the nerves are responsible for communication in all areas of the body.  Simply, if the nerve coming from the brain and going to the tissue around the Eustachian tube (the tube that drains the fluid from the inner ear) is being irritated, it can cause inflammation around the Eustachian tube and not allow it to drain properly.  When the fluid, that is naturally present, is not allowed to drain it builds up in the middle ear.  This excess fluid is a great place for microbes like viruses and bacteria to grow.  If an antibiotic is given, it may kill the bacteria but will do nothing for the fluid.  Chiropractic adjustments on the other hand restore the normal communication of the body, reduce the inflammation and allow the fluid to drain.  If the fluid is not allowed to build up the microbes have nothing to grow in.

 

Infantile Colic Help

One of the most frustrating situations that new parents can find themselves in is trying to console a child suffering with colic. A study conducted in South Africa by Mercer and Cook may point them in the right direction. Thirty infants who had been diagnosed by a pediatrician with colic were randomly divided into two groups. One group received chiropractic care while the other group did not. All infants in this study were newborn to 8 weeks old. The framework of the study was that the infants receiving chiropractic adjustments received care for a two-week period with a maximum of six adjustments.

The results of the study were very impressive. In the group that received chiropractic care, 93% of the infants had complete resolution of their symptoms within the two-week period. Even more impressive was that in a follow up survey performed one month later, none of the infants had experienced a recurrence of problems from colic. The chiropractic care rendered in this study was spinal adjusting.

Chiropractic adjustments to an infant consist of gentle pressure to restore the normal motion of the individual bones of the spine.  Although the goal is the same as with adults, to allow the body to function properly, the technique is quite different.  I have been trained with the ICPA and have had many years of experience adjusting infants and newborns with colic.

How Early is Too Early?

So how early is "too early" for a newborn to be adjusted? 

As soon as they have misalignment in their spine they are able to be adjusted.  There was a study done to assess the percentage of deliveries that resulted in trauma to the newborn's neck.  The researchers found that 12% of the babies born at that hospital, had demonstrable neck trauma.  If your child falls into that 12% the number is way to high. 

A simple check at the chiropractic office on the way home from the hospital, or the first trip out if you deliver at home, and you can set that newborn on the road to better health.  Chiropractor's who are trained to assess infant's spines for subluxation can easily let you know if there was any trauma done to your little one's spine.  If adjustments are needed we are also well equipped to start correcting the damage that was done and head off problems that may have been in store for him or her.

Back Pain in Pregnancy

Are you having back pain in your pregnancy? You have probably been told that that is a normal part of pregnancy and that you should just try to deal with it the best you can. Obviously with your body changing as much as it has been it is experiencing different stresses than it has before. That does not mean that you have to suffer through it or that you have to take medications that may effect the health of your baby. Here are some simple things that you can do to try to relieve the pain naturally. By the way it is a good idea to start practicing now, since the stress on your back doesn't usually just go away when you start carrying your baby on the outside.

1. Stay active: Always consult about exercise with you health care provider. If you were exercising before pregnancy, continue. If you were not, try to do some short walks while focusing on you posture. Keep the buttocks tucked in and the shoulders back and down as you walk. This helps to train the muscles to hold you in that position. If you have access a pool can be a great option for prenatal exercise.
2. When you are sitting don't cross your legs, slightly elevate your feet and change positions often. Watch your posture here also. Keep your shoulders back and your chin tucked in so that your head is over you shoulders. Also try to get up and move around about every 15-20 minutes, even if it is to just walk around you chair and sit back down. This will keep the muscles active.
3. When you sleep, sleep on your side with your knees bent and a pillow between them. This takes some pressure off of you low back. Also try using another pillow or a body pillow to rest your arm on to prevent twisting of the spine.
4. Limit what you lift. This one is much easier said than do usually, but if you do have to lift something squat with your legs instead of bending at your waist. If you have to hold a small child, do what you can to avoid lifting them up. Allow them to climb on a chair (if it is safe for them to do so) and the take them into your arms.
5. If the pain that you are feeling is a sharp, hot, acute pain try icing it for 15-20 minutes (with a thin towel between the ice pack and your skin). If the pain is more of a dull ache try a hot water bottle or a warm bath. If you are not sure how to describe the pain, err on the side of icing it.
6. Many moms-to-be find benefit with massage therapists that specialize in caring for pregnant moms.
7. Support belts can be helpful in certain situations, but I would recommend them as a last resort and only under supervision of your prenatal health care provider.
8. If you are still experiencing back pain after trying a few of these suggestions, consider contacting us for a free consultation, if you are in the Twin Cities area. If you are not please contact the ICPA for help in locating a chiropractor in your area that cares for mothers during pregnancy.

What are Essential Fatty acids?

Not the flashiest title I know, but I think you will be happy that you took the time to find out, it may change your life, or the life of your child.

Many of you may have heard of Essential Fatty Acids (or EFA's from now on) and the potential benefit that they can have on overall health. What are they though? Basically a fatty acid is a molecule that is used by the body for a multitude of functions and in every cell of the body. They are considered "essential" because our body is not able to produce them so we need to get them from our diets.


Some of the areas that our bodies uses EFA's are the heart, the brain, the immune system and the skin. There are many more but those are some of the big ones that you may have heard about in the news or advertisements.

There are only two true families of EFA's: Omega-3 and Omega-6. The name has to do with where a certain chemical bond is located in the molecule. Sources for Omega-3 fatty acids are primarily from cold water oily fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies and sardines, but there is also a significant amount in flaxseed oil. Omega-6 can be found in chicken, eggs, soybean oil, canola oil and whole grains. As you can probably see Omega-6 are much easier to get than Omega-3. This has lead to potential imbalances for some people. I will address that issue in a later blog.

Sawyer Sage Mairs

I want to take a moment to introduce you to the newest member of our family. Sawyer Sage Mairs was born 5.6.2010 at our home. Thank you to Dr. Amy Johnson-Grass and her wonderful staff for assisting with the birth and caring for mom and baby (and dad).