Chiropractic Benefits For Newborns

Why my baby will be checked by a chiropractor following labor/birth

Not only am I a chiropractor, I’m a chiropractic kid. My dad is a chiropractor; which means my first adjustment was my first day of life. I can remember getting adjusted throughout childhood when I was sick, before a basketball game or 200-m dash, or just because it felt right. Why? As I now understand it, chiropractic adjustments support healthy brain development; help the brain and body manage stress; and create a more resilient system. Yes, Baby Kunshier will be getting chiropractic care throughout their life, especially at the start of it.

Let’s dig into why.
Being born is hard work for both mom and baby! There are a lot of pressures and forces exerted onto baby during their journey into the world. A recent study by Viola Frymann showed 90% of newborns suffered the effects of birth trauma: associated strain through the neck and cranial areas following birth. Over an 8-year period, more than 1,500 babies were studied; Frymann’s examination of newborns within the first five days of birth revealed:

• 10% of newborn babies had perfect, freely mobile skulls or cranial mechanisms.
• 10% had severe trauma to the head, evident even to untrained observers.
• The remaining 80% all had some strain patterns in the cranial mechanism.

If left uncorrected, birth trauma continues to impact a baby’s spinal growth and development, reducing the healthy function of the nerve system; causing health challenges later in life. Causes of birth trauma include a very long or short labor, failure of the cervix to dilate, use of Pitocin and/or forceps/vacuum during birth, the cord around baby’s neck, cesarean delivery; and/or pulling or twisting on the head during delivery. As researcher G. Gutmann has written, “trauma from the birth process remains an under-publicized and therefore significantly under-treated problem.”

Additionally, birth trauma can cause neurological dysfunction. A study by Gutmann examined more than 1,000 infants, and concluded that approximately 80% had some form of nerve dysfunction (the chiropractic term is: subluxation.) This is so important because 65% of neurological development of the brain and nerve system occur in the first year of life. Subluxation, as a result of birth trauma, can include: trouble breathing, reflux, irritability, difficulty nursing, balance issues, sleeping challenges, and delayed developmental milestones.

Chiropractic care focuses on removing nerve interference so that a new baby can grow, develop and function at their highest potential. By addressing nerve system stress, it can help address birth trauma incurred during labor to support healing and recovery.

I am grateful to have had a dad as a chiropractor; getting checked and adjusted has set my body and brain up to adapt to the life stress related to growth and development as a child, at minimum. Dr. Jeanne Ohm, a leader in pediatric chiropractic care has been quoted with sharing the following with parents, “do you want your child living in a hostile world or in a safe world? It all has to do with how your child perceives things. When your child is subluxated, they are living in a hostile world. When they are clear of subluxations, they are living in a safe world.” It’s as simple as that; if a child starts life with birth trauma and subsequent subluxation, their ability to express their potential is lessened because the stress on the brain and nerve system are poorly adaptive and less resilient.

I want to set Baby Kunshier up to succeed; to address any trauma incurred during labor and birth, and help lay a foundation of health at the start of life. That is why he/she will be checked by a chiropractor following their birth. And, that is my hope for all babies! As all babies deserve to start life with the ability to express their highest potential.

Love and light to you and yours.

In Health,

Dr. Miaken

Dr. Miaken L. Zeigler, D.C. has completed extensive training with the International Pediatric Chiropractic Association (ICPA) on prenatal, pregnancy, and post-natal care. Dr. Miaken is Webster Certified, which is a specific technique utilized for pregnant women to balance pelvic structure and soft tissues that hold/move the pelvis. Dr. Miaken received chiropractic care at the start and throughout life; and has a passion to provide care for the whole family, including newborns! Dr. Miaken's youngest patient/adjustment was 5-days old and oldest 92! All benefit from chiropractic care, especially at the start of life! 

Source:
Bradburn, Cole, D.C. “Why Infants Need Chiropractic Care.” Pathways. Issue 50, Summer 2016, pp. 24-27.