Case Studies - Infantile Colic / Reflux

/Home/Chiropractic Treatment for Other Symptoms/Chiropractic Treatment for Colic

Case Studies - Infantile Colic / Reflux

Dr. Erin Elster, D.C.
4880 Riverbend Road
Boulder, Colorado 80301

Phone: 303.442.5911
Fax: 303.442.5343
Email: erin@erinelster.com

Female, Age 2 months, Reflux/Colic
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This 2-month-old baby was brought in for an upper cervical evaluation because of gastrointestinal problems since birth. Five weeks after she was born, she was prescribed zantec for reflux. She had trouble with spitting up, colic, unconsolable crying, irritability, and fussiness. Both parents were exhausted and frustrated because their daughter was in constant pain and wasn't sleeping.
During this baby's initial evaluation, an upper neck injury was discovered through digital infrared imaging and laser-aligned radiographs. While her mother described her daughter's birth as seemingly normal, she had noticed that she only liked to lay on her stomach if her head was turned to the right.

After the baby's initial neck correction, her mother described her as doing better right away in that she didn't cry at all the first day. Two weeks later, all symptoms were resolved; she slept through the night, was able to feed properly, she was no longer in pain, and was a normal, happy baby.

Male, Age 2 months, Reflux/Colic
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This 8-week-old baby was brought in for an upper cervical evaluation because of trouble with reflux for the previous four weeks. His mother described her son as suffering in pain because he would cry, arch his back, and then vomit after feedings.
During this baby's initial evaluation, an upper neck injury was discovered through digital infrared imaging and laser-aligned radiographs. His mother reported that suction was required to pull her son out of her pelvis so she surmised this must have been the source of her son's neck injury.

After the baby's initial neck correction, his mother reported that he stopped crying, arching, and vomiting after feedings and appeared to be a normal, healthy baby.

Male, Age 5 months, Reflux/Colic
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This 5-month-old baby was brought in for an upper cervical evaluation because of gastrointestinal problems since birth. Four weeks after he was born, he was prescribed zantec for reflux. By 6 weeks, he was hospitalized due to blood in his stool. It was determined that he was allergic to his mother's milk and should no longer be breastfed. However, the reflux continued, even on formula. Eventually, he was also prescribed prilosec. In addition, the baby cried constantly with a high-pitched type of scream, which his mother interpreted as pain. Both parents were exhausted and frustrated because their son was in constant pain, screaming, and he hardly slept.
During this baby's initial evaluation, an upper neck injury was discovered through digital infrared imaging and laser-aligned radiographs. While the mother described her son's birth as normal, she had noticed that his head seemed to tilt upon his neck and that he only liked to lay on his stomach with his head to the left.

After the baby's initial neck correction, his squealing/screaming was markedly decreased according to his mother. In addtion, the amount of spitting up decreased and he seemed happier. Two weeks later, he began sleeping through the night except for awakening 1-2 times to feed. All high-pitched screaming had stopped. He fed normally and didn't spit up. His mother described her child as a "happy, normal baby" now compared to the child she had known before.

Male, Age 3 weeks, Reflux/Colic
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This 3-week old infant was diagnosed with reflux at 1 week and had been taking zantac for the past 11 days. His mother stated that after each feeding, within 5 to 10 minutes, he started screaming and would cry for anywhere between 5 to 60 minutes. Because the zantac has been ineffective, his mother decided to discontinue it.
A misalignment was discovered in this infant's upper neck during his initial evaluation. While his mother reported that his birth appeared to be normal, it was surmised that his birth was the only possible cause for the neck injury. After his neck was corrected, his mother reported a dramatic improvement in his symptoms the following two days until all symptoms were absent. He began feeding and sleeping normally without any screaming episodes.

Male, Age 6 months, Feeding Difficulty, Excessive Spitting Up
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This 6-month-old baby was brought in for an upper cervical evaluation because of feeding difficulty and excessive spitting up. His mother had compared her child to others and found that her baby was exceeding what was considered a "normal" amount of spitting up. She also reported that she seemed unable to produce an ample supply of milk for him because of the spitting up and had to supplement his diet with formula. The spitting up occurred so regularly that her son's shirt had to be changed multiple times per day and frequently involved a larger, more "projectile" amount of fluid that his mom said resembled vomiting. She also described her son's difficulty with sleep-- that he awakened frequently for feeding and continued to excessively spit up throughout the night as well.
During this baby's initial evaluation, an upper neck injury was discovered through digital infrared imaging and laser-aligned radiographs. While the mother described her son's birth as normal, she surmised the injury must have occurred then since the spitting up started right away and since her son had not experienced any other accidents or falls. After two weeks of upper cervical care, all spitting up had stopped and the baby began to sleep through the night.

The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.

Copyright © 2007 - Dr. Erin Elster, D.C.