What to Expect

Chiropractic Care for Colic: Does It Work? If you're the parent of a colicky baby, you already know the drill: hours of inconsolable crying, often in the late afternoon or evening, with no obvious cause and no reliable fix. It's exhausting, and it's completely understandable to want answers — including whether chiropractic care can actually help. Here's an honest look at what colic is, what the research says about chiropractic care for it, and how our pediatric-certified team approaches it at West University Wellness. What Colic Actually Is Colic is typically defined using the "rule of threes": crying for more than three hours a day, more than three days a week, for more than three weeks, in an otherwise healthy, well-fed infant. It usually starts around two to three weeks of age and tends to resolve on its own by three to four months. The exact cause isn't fully understood. Suspected contributors include an immature digestive system, gas, difficulty regulating the nervous system, and general overstimulation. Because there's no single known cause, there's also no single guaranteed fix — which is part of what makes colic so frustrating for families. What the Research Says About Chiropractic Care and Colic Several small clinical studies and case series have looked at chiropractic care for colicky infants, with a number reporting reductions in crying time compared to control groups. A handful of trials have found statistically meaningful improvement, particularly when parents track crying hours before and after care. At the same time, the research base is limited. Many studies are small, some lack a properly blinded control group, and a few systematic reviews have concluded that the evidence isn't yet strong enough to call chiropractic care a proven, first-line colic treatment. Other reviews are more favorable, particularly for gentle, infant-specific techniques. In plain terms: some research is genuinely encouraging, but the overall evidence is still developing. Any honest answer to "does it work?" has to hold both of those things at once. What We Actually Do for Colicky Infants Pediatric chiropractic care for infants looks nothing like adult adjustments. The technique involves light, gentle pressure — often about the pressure you'd use to check the ripeness of a tomato — applied to the spine and pelvis to assess and address areas of restricted motion, which may relate to nervous system regulation and digestive function. A typical visit for a colicky infant may include: ● A full intake reviewing feeding, sleep, birth history, and crying patterns ● Gentle assessment of the spine and pelvis for areas of restriction ● Light, specific adjustments appropriate for an infant's developing spine ● Guidance on positioning, feeding, and soothing techniques to use at home We track crying and fussiness patterns from visit to visit, because that's the clearest way to see whether care is actually making a difference for your specific baby — not just what the general research suggests might happen. Is It Right for Your Baby? Chiropractic care isn't a replacement for medical evaluation. Before considering it, your pediatrician should rule out other causes of excessive crying, such as reflux, a milk protein allergy, or other underlying medical conditions. Chiropractic care is best considered as a complementary option once medical causes have been addressed or excluded — not a first stop. If you're exhausted, worried, and looking for another avenue to try alongside your pediatrician's guidance, gentle chiropractic evaluation is a reasonable, low-risk option to discuss. We're happy to talk through whether it makes sense for your baby specifically. Disclaimer The information in this article is provided for general educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition, and should not be interpreted as personalized medical advice. Every infant is different, and colic can have multiple underlying causes, some of which require medical evaluation and treatment. Reading this article does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you, your child, and West University Wellness or any of its practitioners. Before beginning chiropractic care or any complementary therapy for your infant, please consult your child's pediatrician or primary care provider, particularly to rule out underlying medical causes of excessive crying such as gastroesophageal reflux, food protein allergies or intolerances, infection, or other conditions that require medical management. Chiropractic care for infants should only be performed by a practitioner with specific pediatric training and certification, using techniques appropriate for a developing infant spine and nervous system. Individual results vary, and no specific outcome is guaranteed. The research on chiropractic care for infant colic is still developing; while some studies report positive results, the overall body of evidence is limited, and chiropractic care should not be relied upon as a sole or first-line treatment. If your infant shows signs of a medical emergency — including difficulty breathing, persistent vomiting, fever in a newborn, blood in stool, or lethargy — seek immediate medical attention rather than scheduling a chiropractic visit. West University Wellness and its practitioners make no representations or warranties regarding the completeness, accuracy, or applicability of this information to any individual case, and disclaim liability for decisions made based on this content without direct consultation with a qualified healthcare provider.

West University Wellness | Blog Post westuwellness.com/blog | Pediatric Chiropractic | Newborn Care Why Would a Newborn Need a Chiropractic Adjustment? You’ve just brought your baby home. They’re perfect, healthy, and brand new — so when someone suggests a chiropractic evaluation for your newborn, your first reaction might be confusion or even alarm. Why would a perfectly healthy baby need to see a chiropractor? It’s one of the questions we hear most often at West University Wellness — and the answer tends to surprise parents. The truth is, birth is one of the most physically demanding experiences a human body ever goes through. And that includes your baby’s body, not just yours. What Happens to a Baby’s Spine During Birth? During labor and delivery, your baby’s head and neck are subjected to significant compressive and rotational forces as they navigate through the birth canal. Even in a completely uncomplicated vaginal birth, the baby’s cervical spine must flex, extend, and rotate through multiple stages of descent — all while the rest of the body follows. When assistive interventions are involved — such as vacuum extraction, forceps delivery, or a C-section (which requires pulling the baby through a tight incision) — those forces can be even more pronounced. The result is that many newborns arrive with subtle misalignments in their cervical spine or tension in their cranial bones — what chiropractors call subluxations — that don’t show up on routine newborn screenings but can affect how their nervous system functions. What Can These Subtle Misalignments Cause? The nervous system controls virtually every function in your baby’s body — from digestion to immune response to sleep. When subluxations are present in a newborn’s cervical spine or cranial bones, they may interfere with nerve communication in ways that contribute to issues parents often assume are just “newborn things.” Common signs that a newborn may benefit from a chiropractic evaluation include: • Difficulty latching or a strong preference for nursing on one side only • Colic — inconsolable crying lasting several hours a day • Torticollis — consistently tilting or turning the head to one side • Reflux, frequent spitting up, or digestive discomfort • Disrupted sleep that seems disproportionate even for a newborn • Plagiocephaly — early flattening on one side of the skull Many parents who bring their newborns in for evaluation are surprised to find that these common issues often have a structural component — one that can be gently and safely addressed in the earliest weeks of life. What Does a Newborn Adjustment Actually Look Like? This is where most parents experience the biggest surprise: a newborn chiropractic adjustment looks nothing like what you’ve seen for adults. There is no cracking, no popping, and absolutely no forceful manipulation. For a newborn, an adjustment involves extremely gentle fingertip pressure — typically no more force than you would use to test whether a ripe peach is ready to eat. Our doctors are specifically trained in neonatal and pediatric techniques, applying precise, light pressure to guide vertebrae into better alignment and release tension in the cranial bones and surrounding tissues. Most newborns tolerate their adjustments beautifully. Many relax deeply during the process — and some fall asleep on the table. What to Expect at West University Wellness At West University Wellness, all of our doctors have completed a minimum of 300 additional hours of pediatric chiropractic training beyond their doctoral degrees. Several hold the Advanced Certification from the American Council of Chiropractic Pediatrics (CACCP) — one of the most elite pediatric chiropractic credentials in the United States, held by only a small number of practitioners nationwide. Our youngest patient was just a few hours old. We take care to walk every parent through exactly what we’re doing and why — so you feel fully informed and at ease from the moment you walk in. A newborn evaluation at our practice includes: • A thorough health history including your pregnancy, labor, and delivery details • A gentle neurological and structural assessment of the cervical spine, cranial bones, and overall muscle tone • A clear explanation of our findings in plain language • A care plan tailored to your baby’s specific needs — never a one-size-fits-all protocol When Should You Bring Your Newborn In? We recommend a chiropractic evaluation within the first few days to weeks of life — not because something is necessarily wrong, but because newborn tissue is highly adaptable and responds most readily to gentle care in these early weeks. The sooner any subluxations are identified and addressed, the sooner your baby’s nervous system can function without interference. You don’t need to wait for a problem to appear. A wellness evaluation for a newborn is one of the most proactive things you can do to support healthy development right from the start. Peace of Mind From Day One We understand that bringing your newborn to a chiropractor for the first time can feel unfamiliar. Our team is here to answer every question, address every concern, and help you feel confident in the care your baby is receiving. Families drive from across Houston — and beyond — to work with our pediatric team, and we take that trust seriously. If you’ve recently welcomed a new baby and would like to schedule a newborn evaluation, we’d love to meet your little one. Book a pediatric appointment at West University Wellness today. Book a Consultation at West University Wellness DISCLAIMER The content in this blog post is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, chiropractic diagnosis, or a treatment plan, and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical or chiropractic care. West University Wellness and its doctors make no guarantees regarding outcomes of chiropractic care. Individual results vary based on a patient’s unique health history, condition, and response to treatment. Always consult with your licensed chiropractor, OB-GYN, midwife, or primary healthcare provider before making any decisions about your care or your child’s care. Do not delay seeking professional medical advice based on anything you have read in this blog. Book a Consultation

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Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It can lead to serious health issues, such as heart disease, hypertension, and daytime fatigue. While the most common treatments for sleep apnea involve lifestyle changes and the use of a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine, some individuals seek alternative approaches to alleviate their symptoms. One such alternative is chiropractic care. In this blog, we'll explore the intriguing relationship between sleep apnea and chiropractic spinal alignment, also known as subluxation. Understanding Sleep Apnea Before delving into the connection between sleep apnea and chiropractic care, let's briefly understand what sleep apnea is. Sleep apnea is characterized by periodic interruptions in breathing during sleep. These interruptions, or apneas, can last for seconds to minutes and can occur numerous times throughout the night. The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), where the upper airway is partially or completely blocked, leading to disrupted sleep. Chiropractic Subluxation and Its Role Chiropractors believe that many health problems, including sleep apnea, can be linked to subluxations in the spine. Subluxations are misalignments or restrictions in the vertebrae that may affect the function of the nervous system. Chiropractors aim to correct these subluxations through spinal adjustments, which are non-invasive procedures designed to bring the spine back into alignment. The Connection So, how does chiropractic spinal alignment relate to sleep apnea? It's all about the nervous system. The nervous system plays a crucial role in regulating the muscles responsible for keeping the airway open during sleep. When there are subluxations in the spine, it can interfere with the proper functioning of the nervous system. Chiropractic adjustments aim to restore the spine's natural alignment, potentially reducing nerve interference. This can lead to improved communication between the nervous system and the muscles involved in maintaining open airways. While chiropractic care is not a standalone treatment for sleep apnea, some individuals have reported positive outcomes and a reduction in sleep apnea symptoms after receiving regular chiropractic adjustments. It's important to note that the effectiveness of chiropractic care in treating sleep apnea may vary from person to person. Moreover, it should be considered as a complementary therapy rather than a primary treatment method. Consulting with a healthcare professional is essential to develop a comprehensive plan for managing sleep apnea.  Conclusion The relationship between sleep apnea and chiropractic spinal alignment is an intriguing one. While chiropractic care may offer potential benefits by addressing subluxations in the spine and improving nervous system function, it should be approached as part of a holistic approach to managing sleep apnea. If you or a loved one is considering chiropractic care as part of your sleep apnea management, consult with a healthcare provider to ensure that it is a safe and appropriate addition to your treatment plan. Remember that individual experiences with chiropractic care may vary, and the effectiveness of such treatment can depend on several factors unique to each person's condition.