Colic & Chiropractors

A baby crying and crying for hours a day and dealing with acid reflux isn't anything new. But what is new is more parents bringing their babies to chiropractors, searching for relief.

Five-month-old Braxton Lindner is getting his spine adjusted. It's nothing new for this infant. In fact, his father has been bringing him to the chiropractor's office for months.

"Since he was about two months old," Braxton's Father Brad Lindner said.

Braxton isn't alone. Chiropractor Dr. Seth Severtson is seeing a larger number of small kids, including 13-month-old Alex Thovson.

"He was having some acid reflux issues and had gone to the hospital with that," Jess Thovson said.

But Thovson says Alex didn't get relief until coming to a chiropractor.

"It puts the body in a state of balance and allows the body to function properly," Dr. Seth Severtson said.

While you may be afraid to bring your baby in for an adjustment, Severtson says it's safe.

"We use a real gentle, low force approach on these babies. So there's really nothing to be concerned about that," Severtson said.

Severtson also says it's never too early to get your baby's spine checked.

"I've checked my sons within hours of birth, so they've been checked right away," Severtson said.

And Severtson says not every baby needs an adjustment.

"Ones that are more prone to it are that birth has been a little more vigorous, specifically a C-section or a traumatic labor where they are really pulling on the baby's neck to get them out," Severtson said.

As far as Lindner and Thovson, they say the adjustments have allowed their babies to adjust better. Alex no longer needs to take medication for acid reflux and Braxton’s health has improved too.

"He doesn't spit up near as much. You can tell if he misses a week then he's spitting up a lot," Lindner said.

While both parents say it's helped their babies, not all medical doctors agree. Dr. Dan Heinemann says, new evidence shows that babies who cry a lot may be just going through a stage and there's nothing physically wrong with them.  He adds that breastfeeding longer and skin-to-skin contact could help.

Heinemann also warns there could be some risks in manipulating an infant's spine. But no matter how you deal with a crying baby, whether it's through a chiropractor or a medical doctor. Heinemann says it's best to seek help before you get too frustrated.