One of the greatest joys of my job as a chiropractor here in Southwest Florida, is when a parent brings in their newborn for an evaluation. It’s a moment filled with trust and hope, and I don’t take it lightly. I still vividly remember the first time a parent handed me their three-day-old baby to check, fresh from the hospital. I was an intern back then, and, to be honest, I was sweating bullets. I tried to act calm, but inside, I was a bundle of nerves. Thankfully, the adjustment was gentle and seamless, and it was an incredible feeling knowing I’d helped give that tiny life a healthy start.
You might be wondering, why would a three-day-old need chiropractic care? Well, think about the process of childbirth. Even in the smoothest deliveries, the baby’s head and neck endure a lot of pressure. Add in interventions like forceps, suction, or C-sections, and the strain on their delicate spine can increase significantly.
Newborns don’t have developed neck muscles to stabilize their heads. In the womb’s weightless environment, strength isn’t necessary. But during and after birth, the ligaments supporting the upper neck can face tremendous stress. It’s surprisingly easy for the top vertebrae to misalign during delivery—and it’s far more common than many people realize. In fact, a German study found that 80% of newborns had some degree of misalignment in the upper cervical spine. Based on my several decades of experience, I’d say that statistic holds true.
An upper cervical misalignment in infants can disrupt the nervous system’s ability to function properly, potentially leading to a range of issues, including:
- Colic
- Digestive problems
- Ear infections
- Excessive crying
- Difficulty breastfeeding (like trouble latching)
- Skin irritations
- Sleep disturbances
