How safe is chiropractic treatment for young infants?

Heart rate changes in response to mild mechanical irritation of the high cervical spinal cord region in infants

Forensic Science International

Volume 128, Issue 3, August 28, 2002, Pages 168-176

L. E. Koch, H. Koch, S. Graumann-Brunt, D. Stolle, J. M. Ramirez and K. S. Saternus

“In first world countries, sudden infant death (SID) is the most common cause of death during the first 12 months of postnatal life.” In this study, infants between 1 and 12 months of age were given upper neck chiropractic adjustments if they were thought to be at risk of sudden infant syndrome, by noting “asymmetries in the horizontal and sagittal plane of body posture and motion.” [Postural and segmental chiropractic subluxation complexes] Asymmetry in the atlanto-occipital-C2 region was determined by x-rays. “For the chiropractic therapy the infants were positioned on their back while the chiropractor was sitting perpendicular to the child's head. Great care was taken that the infant was comfortable before the impulse [adjustment] was administered. The impulse [adjustment]was applied to the side of the asymmetry.”

“How safe is chiropractic treatment for young infants?”

“The chiropractic therapy has proven to be a successful technique which can be used to treat disorders, especially cerebral disturbances of motor patterns of various etiology

(wryneck, c-scoliosis, irritation of the plexus brachialis), sensomotoric disturbances of integration ability (retardation of sensation and coordination), as well as pain related entities such as cry-babies with ‘3-month colic’ or hyperactivity with sleeplessness.” “In older children disturbances of this kind are known as retardation of development in motor patterns as well as in sensory abilities.” The epidemiological prevalence of such disturbances is as high as17.8% of children. “Chiropractic treatment seems to be the most successful therapy which helps to treat such disorders.” “Therefore, chiropractic treatment and manual therapy have become increasingly popular over the past decade.”

“We can report more that 20,000 children treated without serious complications.” “Thus, our findings are consistent with the possibility that a minor mechanical irritation of the cervical region may trigger the first step in the events that lead to SID.” “Children with a disturbed symmetry of the atlanto-occipital region could be of higher risk for SID.”