Resolution of Colic in an Eight Week Old Infant Undergoing Chiropractic Care: A Case Study
Ron R. Castellucci, BS, ACP, DC Bio
Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic ~ Volume 2012 ~ Issue 4 ~ Pages 109-112
Abstract
Objective: To report the outcome of chiropractic care using light impulse finger adjustments on an 8 week old infant who was diagnosed with infantile colic.
Clinical Features: An 8 week old female patient presented to the office with classic symptoms of colic. It was reported by the mother that the patient cried for up to 5 hours at a time and that she appeared to wince in pain upon making a bowel movement. The crying spells often lasted well into the night.
Interventions and Outcomes: The treatment protocol was limited to chiropractic spinal analysis using static, motion and muscle palpation followed by chiropractic care using light impulse finger adjustments in the supine and side posture positions. The segmental levels that were addressed were C1 and T11. Plan of care included 8 visits over 4 weeks. Improvements were seen after one visit and complete resolution of the symptoms were seen after 8 visits. After one year mom reports that the condition has not returned and the patient is a healthy, thriving one year old.
Conclusion: The case of an 8 week old infant with colic is presented. Significant improvement, followed by complete resolution of the condition was observed following the initiation of chiropractic care. More research is certainly warranted in the area of colic and the potential benefits of chiropractic care. The minimally invasive approach of chiropractic adjustments and results observed in the literature suggests that chiropractic could be included in the treatment protocols for infants who present with the condition of colic.
Key Words: Chiropractic, vertebral subluxation, colic, infantile colic, adjustment, muscle palpation, somato-visceral, somato-autonomic, gastrointestinal
