Infant chiropractic care usually means very light-touch techniques that some chiropractors use on babies, but good research does not show that it helps colic, reflux, ear infections, sleep or feeding problems. The evidence for babies is limited: a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trial of 86 infants found chiropractic manipulation was no more effective than placebo for colic. If your baby is fussy, not feeding well or always turning the head to one side, start with your pediatrician, who can check for medical causes and refer you to the right specialist if needed.
What the Evidence Says
- A randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trial of 86 infants with colic found chiropractic spinal manipulation was no more effective than placebo (Olafsdottir et al., Archives of Disease in Childhood, 2001).
- The Canadian Paediatric Society has called for chiropractic care in children to be limited to musculoskeletal conditions where there is evidence it works.
- Pediatric specialists advise talking with your child’s pediatrician before starting chiropractic care and using it, if at all, in addition to medical care rather than instead of it.
- East Coast Injury Clinic does not offer or promote chiropractic treatment of infants for colic, reflux, ear infections, sleep or feeding problems.
What Is Infant Chiropractic Care?
Chiropractors who see babies generally use fingertip pressure, gentle stretching or positioning, not the quick adjustments used for adults. Some practices promote this care for a wide range of infant problems. The questions parents should ask are simple: is there evidence it helps, and is it safe?
What the Research Does and Doesn’t Support
- Colic and excessive crying: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial found no benefit over placebo. Colic usually improves on its own with time, though it’s exhausting while it lasts. Your pediatrician can check for other causes and suggest soothing strategies.
- Ear infections, reflux, sleep and feeding problems: there isn’t good evidence that chiropractic care helps. These need a pediatric evaluation; feeding and latching problems may also involve a lactation consultant.
- Musculoskeletal problems: this is the only area where chiropractic care for children has a reasonable rationale, and even here the research in infants is thin. Reviews by pediatric specialists describe the effectiveness of gentle adjustments in infants and children as unclear.
- Development: there isn’t evidence that chiropractic care improves a healthy baby’s development, milestones or immune system.
Is Chiropractic Care Safe for Babies?
Serious harm appears to be uncommon with very gentle techniques, but it hasn’t been well studied, and forceful manipulation can be dangerous for infants. A baby’s neck and spine are still developing, and babies can’t tell you when something hurts. That’s why pediatric specialists recommend getting a medical evaluation first and asking any provider exactly what they plan to do and why.
Common Concerns and Who Should Check Them
| What you notice | Start with |
| Crying for long stretches, fussiness | Your pediatrician, to rule out feeding problems, reflux, infection or other causes |
| Always turning the head one way, or a flat spot on the head (torticollis or plagiocephaly) | Your pediatrician, who may refer you to pediatric physical therapy or a specialist |
| Trouble latching or feeding | Your pediatrician and a lactation consultant |
| Pulling at the ears, fever, poor sleep | Your pediatrician |
Get Medical Care Right Away If Your Baby Has
- A fever in the first months of life, as your pediatrician has advised
- Poor feeding, fewer wet diapers or signs of dehydration
- Unusual sleepiness, limpness or trouble waking
- Repeated or forceful vomiting, or vomiting after a fall or car accident
- Trouble breathing, or a high-pitched cry that won’t settle
Call your pediatrician, go to the emergency department, or call 911.
Questions to Ask Any Provider Who Treats Babies
- What condition do you think my baby has, and what’s the evidence your treatment helps it?
- Exactly what technique will you use, and how much force?
- Will you share your findings with my pediatrician?
- How will we know if it’s working, and when would you stop?
- What signs mean I should go to the pediatrician or ER instead?
Be cautious with anyone who recommends ongoing “maintenance” visits for a healthy baby, advises against vaccines or medical care, or promises to fix colic, sleep or development.
Where East Coast Injury Clinic Fits
East Coast Injury Clinic is an injury clinic. Our focus is treating people hurt in car accidents, at work and in other injuries. We don’t offer or promote chiropractic treatment of infants for colic, reflux, ear infections, sleep or feeding problems, and this page isn’t a recommendation to seek it.
If your child was in a car accident anywhere in Duval County, have them checked by their pediatrician or the emergency department first. For parents, we offer prenatal injury chiropractic care for pregnancy-related and injury-related pain, with your obstetric provider’s clearance. For older children and teens, see what age children can start seeing a chiropractor. Questions? Call (904) 513-3954.
Our Jacksonville Clinics
Our Jacksonville clinics focus on injury care. The Deerwood clinic is at 10550 Deerwood Park Blvd, Suite 609, Jacksonville, FL 32256, near J. Turner Butler Blvd (JTB), I-295 and Southside Blvd, a short drive from the St. Johns Town Center area. The North Jacksonville clinic is at 13453 N Main St, Suite 302, Jacksonville, FL 32218, on N Main St north of I-295. Both clinics are open Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM. Call (904) 513-3954 or request an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is chiropractic care safe for newborns?
Serious harm appears uncommon with very gentle techniques, but safety in babies hasn’t been well studied, and forceful manipulation can be dangerous. Talk with your pediatrician before any chiropractic care for a baby.
Can a chiropractor help with colic?
Good research doesn’t support it. A randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trial of 86 infants found chiropractic manipulation was no more effective than placebo for colic. Colic usually improves with time; your pediatrician can check for other causes.
Can chiropractic care treat ear infections in babies?
There isn’t good evidence that it does. Ear infections need a pediatric evaluation, and your pediatrician will decide whether treatment is needed.
Should I talk to my pediatrician before taking my baby to a chiropractor?
Yes. Your pediatrician can check for medical causes, refer you to the right specialist, and help you decide whether any other care makes sense. Pediatric specialists advise that chiropractic care, if used, should be in addition to medical care, not instead of it.
My baby always turns their head to one side. Who should I see?
Start with your pediatrician. A head-turning preference or flat spot can be a sign of torticollis or positional plagiocephaly, and your pediatrician may refer you to pediatric physical therapy or a specialist.
Does East Coast Injury Clinic treat infants?
East Coast Injury Clinic is an injury clinic. We don’t offer or promote chiropractic treatment of infants for colic, reflux, ear infections, sleep or feeding problems. If your child was hurt in an accident, see their pediatrician or the ER first, and call us with any questions.
