The sound is unmistakable and heartbreaking. That high-pitched, inconsolable crying that seems to go on for hours, no matter what you do. You’ve fed, burped, changed, and rocked your baby, but nothing helps. For many parents in Cooper City, this is the daily reality of infant colic-a reality that leaves you feeling exhausted, helpless, and worried.
The common advice is often, “They’ll grow out of it.” But what if that crying isn’t just a phase to be endured? What if it’s your baby’s only way of telling you that something is wrong? As Dr. Cody Capeloto often explains to families in our practice, these symptoms can be a sign of underlying stress on your baby’s nervous system. This guide will explore the connection between birth, the nervous system, and colic, and how a gentle, specific approach to chiropractic care may offer the answers you’ve been searching for.
The Core Question: Can Chiropractic Care Help With Colic?
Yes, many families report significant improvements in colic symptoms following neurologically-focused chiropractic care. This approach does not treat colic as a disease, but instead focuses on identifying and correcting underlying nervous system stress and dysfunction-known as subluxation-that can contribute to the digestive distress, discomfort, and inconsolable crying associated with colic.
It’s not about “curing” a symptom, but rather about restoring your baby’s natural ability to function and heal. By gently relieving interference, we allow the body’s communication system to work properly, often leading to a calmer, happier baby. While we have provided a quick overview on whether chiropractic care can help with colic, this guide will walk you through the specifics of how and why it works.
Understanding “Colic”: More Than Just Crying
Colic is often medically defined by the “rule of threes”: crying for more than three hours a day, more than three days a week, for more than three weeks. But for a parent holding a screaming baby, a definition is the last thing you need. You need solutions. The “wait it out” approach overlooks the fact that this intense crying is a sign of significant stress in your baby’s little body.
At Alive & Free Chiropractic, we look beyond the crying to see the bigger picture of nervous system dysfunction. Colic is frequently accompanied by a cluster of other symptoms that all point to a system that is stuck in “fight or flight” mode. Think of it as a car alarm that just won’t turn off.
Common Signs of Nervous System Stress in Infants:
- Constant, inconsolable crying, often worse in the evening
- Arching the back, especially during or after feeding
- Clenched fists and tension throughout the body
- Difficulty latching, nursing, or bottle-feeding
- Frequent spitting up, reflux, or projectile vomiting
- Obvious discomfort from gas and bloating
- Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep
- Dislike of the car seat or being on their back
When you see these signs together, it paints a clear picture. This isn’t just a “fussy baby”; it’s a baby whose nervous system is overwhelmed and needs support.
A Parent’s Checklist: Does your baby seem to favor turning their head to one side? Do they hate tummy time? Are their hands always in tight fists, even when relaxed? These can be subtle but important clues pointing to underlying tension and nervous system stress.
The Birth-Nervous System-Colic Connection
To understand why your baby is so uncomfortable, we have to go back to the beginning: their journey into the world. The birth process, while beautiful, is a physically demanding event for a baby. The journey through the birth canal involves a significant amount of twisting and compression, particularly on the delicate bones of the head and upper neck.
This area is critically important because it houses the brainstem and the top of the spinal cord. It’s the “control tower” for the entire nervous system. Specifically, a crucial nerve called the Vagus Nerve exits from the brainstem and travels down through the neck. This nerve is the master control for the parasympathetic nervous system-the “rest, digest, and heal” system.
Physical stressors from birth-even a seemingly smooth, natural delivery, but especially interventions like C-sections, forceps, vacuum extraction, or a very long or fast labor-can cause misalignments in the upper neck. This misalignment, or subluxation, creates interference and tension right where the vagus nerve is. When the vagus nerve is irritated, it can’t properly send “calm down” and “digest” signals to the gut. The result? A baby stuck in a stressed-out state with a digestive system that is disorganized and dysfunctional, leading directly to the symptoms we call colic. This is why our approach to pediatric chiropractic care in Cooper City starts with a deep dive into your child’s birth story and overall health history.
What Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care Looks Like for an Infant
The first question we hear from concerned Cooper City parents is, “Is it safe?” The answer is a resounding yes. Pediatric chiropractic adjustments are fundamentally different from those for adults. There is no cracking, popping, or twisting. The amount of pressure used for an infant adjustment is incredibly gentle-often described as the same pressure you’d use to check the ripeness of a tomato.
Our process at Alive & Free Chiropractic is designed to be thorough, gentle, and reassuring for both you and your baby.
Your First Visit Experience:
- The Conversation: It starts with listening. We sit down with you for a detailed consultation to understand everything-your pregnancy, the birth story, your baby’s specific symptoms, and the challenges your family is facing.
- Insight Scans: We use state-of-the-art, non-invasive technology to get a clear picture of your baby’s nervous system. These scans measure nerve interference and stress, showing us exactly where the problem areas are without any guesswork.
- The Gentle Examination: Dr. Cody Capeloto will perform a hands-on assessment, feeling for tension, inflammation, and misalignment in your baby’s spine, particularly the upper neck. This is done with gentle, practiced touch.
- The First Adjustment: If subluxation is found, the first adjustment can be performed. Using a light, sustained touch, Dr. Capeloto will gently guide the spinal segments back into their proper position, relieving the pressure on the nervous system.
The pressure used is so light and specific that many babies sleep right through their first adjustment. It’s all about precision, not pressure.
If you’re an exhausted parent in Cooper City struggling with an inconsolably crying baby, know that you are not alone and there is hope beyond waiting it out. The intense crying is a sign that your baby needs support. To find out if neurologically-focused chiropractic care is the missing piece for your family’s peace and well-being, call Alive & Free Chiropractic at (754) 203-5907 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Cody Capeloto.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chiropractic for Colic
Do you accept insurance for colic care?
While we do not bill major medical insurance directly, we do accept HSA and FSA, which many families use for our specialized care. At our Cooper City practice, we prioritize accessibility and offer transparent self-pay rates and flexible payment options because we believe every family deserves the chance to thrive.
Is chiropractic safe for a newborn?
Absolutely. Pediatric chiropractic adjustments are incredibly gentle and safe. The pressure used is no more than what you would use to test the ripeness of a tomato. There is no cracking or popping, only a light, specific touch to release tension and restore proper function.
How many adjustments will my baby need?
The number of visits varies for each baby depending on the severity of their nervous system stress. Some parents see improvements after the very first adjustment, while for others, it’s a more gradual process. Dr. Cody Capeloto will create a personalized care plan after your initial assessment and track progress every step of the way.
What causes subluxation in a baby?
Subluxation, or stress on the nervous system, is often caused by physical tension from the birth process. Even a seemingly smooth delivery can put strain on a baby’s delicate neck and spine. Interventions like C-sections, vacuum extraction, or a long labor can increase this risk, affecting nerves like the vagus nerve that are crucial for digestion.