Acid reflux can cause distress for babies and parents alike. However, the condition can be difficult to manage without medication or endless trips to the pediatrician. There is another option.
Many parents and medical doctors overlook the possible role chiropractic care can have in managing and treating this condition. A chiropractor can diagnose the underlying cause, teach known management techniques to reduce symptoms, and prescribe effective reflux therapies. When used alongside traditional care for your child, this could alleviate your concerns about their acid reflux.
Just like in adults, this condition results from acidic stomach contents flowing up into the esophagus and causing what we know as heartburn. Babies with infant reflux spit up much more than normal. This usually occurs just after feeding and is the most common symptom. Sometimes, they may even forcefully vomit. They frequently cough or gag when they experience reflux due to the acidic stomach contents irritating their throats.
Hiccups and wet burps are also common. Because reflux can interfere with feeding, these babies can suffer poor weight gain and possibly be diagnosed with failure to thrive. They may also have disrupted sleeping patterns because of the tendency of reflux to worsen when they are on their back. However, they find the prescribed treatments ineffective or inadequate. This scenario is what leads them to a chiropractor for care. Alternatively, a chiropractor can diagnose and treat the condition from the start.
This history includes asking about symptoms, feeding habits, and any previous health concerns. Then, they will conduct a physical exam. This exam could be enough for a diagnosis when using non-invasive, non-medicinal treatments. They may opt to run additional tests before administering medications to treat reflux. These tests could include:. This primarily focuses on reducing symptoms and preventing musculoskeletal imbalances from triggering reflux. These treatment plans include only gentle, safe, non-invasive adjustment techniques and therapies.
