COLIC & CHIROPRACTIC
What Is Colic?
Colic is typically defined by the "Rule of 3s" — crying for more than 3 hours a day, more than 3 days a week, for more than 3 weeks. It affects an estimated 1 in 5 newborns and usually begins around 2–3 weeks of age, peaking around 6 weeks.
For parents, colic is exhausting. You've fed, changed, rocked, and bounced — and nothing works. The crying is relentless, and it can feel like you're failing. You're not.
What Causes Colic — A Nervous System Perspective
Conventional medicine often calls colic "unexplained." But from a neurological perspective, there's usually a clear pattern. Many colicky babies have nervous systems stuck in a sympathetic-dominant state — fight-or-flight mode — often as a result of birth stress.
Prolonged labor, C-section, vacuum extraction, and other interventions can create subluxation in the upper cervical spine, which affects the vagus nerve — the nerve responsible for regulating digestion, calming the body, and shifting out of stress mode.
When the vagus nerve is compromised, babies struggle to regulate. Digestion is disrupted. The body stays tense. And the crying continues.
How Chiropractic Helps
Gentle chiropractic adjustments address the subluxation driving the nervous system imbalance. By restoring proper alignment — particularly in the upper cervical region — we help the vagus nerve function more effectively, which supports digestion, calms the stress response, and allows the baby's body to regulate.
Adjustments for colicky babies use fingertip pressure only. They're safe, specific, and incredibly gentle.
What Parents Can Expect
Your baby's first visit includes a consultation, health history, and CLA INSiGHT neurological scans. From there, we'll build a care plan based on your baby's specific findings.
Many parents report noticeable improvement within the first few visits — less crying, longer stretches of calm, better sleep, and more comfortable feeding. Results vary, but the trajectory is usually encouraging early on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime. If you’re feeling ready, go ahead and apply.
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Yes. By addressing the nervous system interference contributing to your baby's dysregulation, chiropractic care often produces significant improvement in colic symptoms.
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Extremely gentle. We use fingertip pressure only — comparable to the pressure you'd use to check a ripe avocado.
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Many families notice improvement within the first few visits. The timeline depends on the severity and how your baby's nervous system responds.
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Yes. Colic is often linked to a sympathetic-dominant nervous system state and vagus nerve compromise — frequently originating from birth stress and upper cervical subluxation.