Resolution of Infantile Colic in Infant after Chiropractic

The Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health published a study on March 7, 2016, documenting the case of an infant with colic being resolved under chiropractic care. It is estimated that colic occurs at a rate of between 10% and 40% of infants up to 3 months of age.

The study begins by noting that infantile colic was defined in 1954 by Dr. Morris Wessel who determined that a series of "threes" were needed to make the determination of colic. The "threes" were: an infant crying and/or fussing for more than three hours a day, on three or more days per week, for three weeks or more, in an infant less than three months of age who was well-fed and otherwise healthy.

Excessive crying seems to be the chief characteristic of infants suffering from colic. The authors note that the crying is usually difficult to console and associated with feeding problems that include spitting, poor sleep, and passing excessive gas.

In this case, a three-month-old baby boy was brought to the chiropractor with symptoms of colic and frequent crying spells. The baby would scream and cry without any noticeable reason. The boy’s parents described their baby’s situation by saying he "...screams and cries out of nowhere, not sure if its personality or something hurts, screams like he’s in pain."

The history reported that the baby had severe signs of colic that seemed to reduce at seven weeks but then returned. The baby was also suffering from an overactive gastrointestinal and urinary tract that included increased frequency of bowel movements and increased urination. His colic issues were causing sleep issues as he would wake up crying in pain.

Chiropractic care was begun on the boy with specific modifications for his size and youth. Dietary recommendations were also given to the mother. By the fourth visit, it was reported that the baby boy was improving and was crying and screaming less. His sleep patterns had not yet improved at that point.

Over the next several visits, the boy continued to improve and was "doing great" according to his parents. The boy returned to normal and did not have a return of his colic or any other problems.

In their conclusion the author wrote, "This case study reports on the successful resolution of colic following the introduction of chiropractic care to reduce subluxations in a three-month-old infant."