A newborn in Columbus, Ohio, has completely new behavior since being treated by a chiropractor, her parents say.
When her daughter was born, the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck twice.
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About a week after the birth, Freeman and his wife, Stephanie Murdock, noticed the baby was extremely irritable, grimacing, clenched fists and stiff arms and legs.
Murdock, who was breastfeeding, went on a strict diet, eliminating all dairy and eggs, in hopes of bringing about some change.
Stephanie Murdock and Joseph Freeman are pictured with their baby, Lily Freeman. “The only thing that worked was holding her upright. We knew something was wrong,” the father said of his baby. (Joseph Freeman)
“When they put her on her back, she would cry uncontrollably,” Freeman said. “The only thing that worked was keeping her upright. We knew something was wrong.”
The couple took their baby to four different doctors, who concluded that since she was gaining weight and was otherwise healthy, she probably had colic, which would improve in three to four months.
“As parents, we couldn't just sit there and wait for the pain to go away,” Freeman said. “We knew he was in invisible pain.”
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The couple posted on social media the answer other parents were looking for. Many recommended they see a chiropractor.
“We didn't know chiropractors treated children,” Freeman said. “We were very skeptical because Lily was only two weeks old.”
When evaluating a baby, a chiropractor said the movements of the spinal joints will help determine where adjustments are needed. (iStock)
Freeman and Murdock took their baby to see Dr. Josh Russell at Ability Chiropractic in Hillard, Ohio. The doctor explained that the birthing process can be “traumatic” for both mother and child.
They usually perform a “well exam” and investigate the child's history, including details of the pregnancy, labor, and birth.
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“The main premise of chiropractic is to help the nervous system function as it should,” he said.
“When there is a lack of mobility in the spine and stiffness in the muscles… that interferes with the communication of the nervous system to send signals to the rest of the body.”
One chiropractor compared the pressure of an adjustment to checking “the ripeness of a peach or tomato.” (iStock)
When assessing a baby, movements of the spinal joints will help determine where adjustments are needed, Russell said.
When making the adjustment, the doctor said that the appropriate pressure is the one that could be used to check “the ripeness of a peach or a tomato.”
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“It's sustained pressure that keeps a specific area that needs to move better,” he said. “Once that interference from the nervous system is gone, we see huge changes.”
Dr. Josh Russell of Ability Chiropractic in Hillard, Ohio treated baby Lily Freeman. (Audrey Art/Chiropractic Ability)
“She started smiling for the first time since she was born,” he said. “We were able to put her on her back without her crying uncontrollably.”
She added: “She was able to sleep without waking up every 20 minutes from the pain. It was beautiful to see Lily transform into a totally different baby.”
Some claim the practice is “overwhelmingly safe”
Russell said he sees relatives ranging in age from one day old to 99 years old.
Babies, toddlers and children who may have trouble eating, sleeping or having a bowel movement could find great benefit from an adjustment, according to the chiropractor.
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For young children, Russell says chiropractic care can also help with hyperactivity.
Regarding parents' concerns that an adjustment could harm their baby, he said the practice is “overwhelmingly safe.”
Babies, toddlers and children who may have trouble eating, sleeping or having a bowel movement could find great benefit from an adjustment, according to a chiropractor. (iStock)
“I have not had any adverse reactions to chiropractic care,” he said.
“Our protocol… is a thorough examination, with very minor adjustments. It's nothing out of the ordinary.”
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Freeman encouraged other parents to “do their research” and consult with a chiropractor before undergoing treatment.
“Knowledge is power and we had to stand up for Lily,” she said. “We have to be the voice for those who don't have one.”
Lily Freeman, pictured left, has become a “totally different baby,” her father said. (Jose Freeman; iStock)
“There are often mechanical forces or circumstances that would warrant an evaluation of an infant's spine, and therefore evaluating the infant early can potentially prevent future problems,” she said in an email.
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Chiropractors are trained to perform “age-appropriate examinations before determining whether a child is a candidate for chiropractic care,” added Tanis, a board member of the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress.
Babies suffering from neuromusculoskeletal diseases will show signs of “increased comfort” after a visit to the chiropractor, he said.
“Many parents report that their baby cries less and sleeps more soundly after chiropractic treatment.”
“There are often mechanical forces or circumstances that would warrant an evaluation of an infant's spine, and therefore evaluating the infant early can potentially prevent future problems,” said one chiropractor. (iStock)
“The adjustments made to children are very gentle, precise and age-appropriate,” Tanis said.
She encouraged parents to seek chiropractic help for their children if they notice abnormal posture or head position, decreased limb movement, irritability with movement or trauma.
Experts warn of the risks
Not all experts agree that chiropractic adjustments are safe for newborns.
An observational study published in Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), concluded that “serious adverse events may be associated with pediatric spinal manipulation.”
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Beth C. Natt, MD, system medical director of pediatrics at Atlantic Health System in New Jersey, echoed those concerns.
“While watching a newborn baby being 'adjusted' may be a popular video on TikTok, the reality is that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other reputable medical organizations do not recommend chiropractic care for infants due to safety and efficacy concerns.”
“Babies are programmed to adapt to their environment without outside interventions such as chiropractic care.”
Claims that chiropractic care can treat conditions such as colic, reflux and sleep disorders are “not supported by rigorous scientific studies,” according to Natt.
Although some believe babies need to be “realigned” after birth, Natt disagrees.
Babies have “delicate and developing bones and joints,” the doctor noted, making them “more susceptible to injury from spinal manipulations,” a pediatrician said. (iStock)
“A baby's body undergoes these natural adjustments and development after birth, and babies are prepared to adapt to their environment without outside interventions like chiropractic care,” she said.
Babies have “delicate, developing bones and joints,” the doctor noted, making them “more susceptible to injury from spinal manipulations.”
“There have been documented cases of serious injuries, including fractures and spinal cord injuries, following chiropractic care in infants,” Natt warned.
The doctor recommended that parents talk to their pediatricians about their concerns before consulting a chiropractor.
Babies' developing bones can leave little ones more susceptible to injury, the pediatrician said. (iStock)
The pediatrician can perform an evaluation of the baby and determine if other, less risky therapies are better for him, she said.
Natt added: “At the end of the day, we're all aligned: We want to make sure we're taking care of the health, safety and comfort of our patients.”
