Throughout pregnancy, birth, and childhood, chiropractic care offers choices and benefits for your greater health and well-being.
Specific spinal adjustments gently relieve stress on the baby’s spinal cord and nerves allowing the nervous system to function properly. Therapeutic exercises and gentle massage are also incorporated into the visits if needed. Research shows chiropractic care may improve common childhood ailments, including colic, allergies, ear infections, acid reflux, challenges associated with sleeping, and bed-wetting, just to name a few. These conditions can improve with chiropractic care. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the average child has already had 1,500 spinal traumas from falls and accidents by the age of 10. Bumps and falls happen, but pain and reduced movement do not have to be for part of your child’s life. It is always easier to correct a problem early than after it has been occurring for weeks or years.
Dr. Melanie Dockter
is an active member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. She has completed her Maternity and Pediatric Certification (C.A.C.C.P.) and is Certified in the Webster Maternity Technique.
Do not wish away time and hope that things improve. Bringing your little one in for evaluation can help you both enjoy this exciting yet challenging the first year! Dr. Melanie is here to help you and is passionate about educating parents or the caregiver on how they can help. Book your appointment today!
Tethered Oral Tissue (TOTs)
Are you experiencing difficulty with breastfeeding or have a fussy newborn that seems to have a difficult time with latching? It is important to rule out a tongue and/or lip tie. When working with children with tethered oral tissue, the primary goal is to ensure proper movement of joints and the function of the surrounding soft tissues. A tethered cord can lead to muscular tension and misalignment of spinal segments. Pressure on nerves and misalignment of the bones that facial muscles connect to will disrupt the flow of latching, sucking, swallowing, and breathing. By using light pressure, specific contact points, and gentle adjusting techniques, we can improve the movement of the surrounding tissue reducing stress on the cranial bones, spinal joints, jaw articulations. During the visits, we also may stretch the muscles within the mouth and cervical musculature.
Dr. Melanie is passionate about educating parents on how to assist the baby with exercises and muscle work.
It is important to involve the parents or caregivers in keeping care as active as possible so that families can maintain their progress. Before any revision, the focus is on identifying an issue, working to reduce tension and improve mobility through adjustments, manual muscle work, and exercises or making the proper referral if needed. Maintaining proper mobility and alignment of the spine will result in faster healing and proper function of the surrounding muscles and the tongue itself.
Check out the symptoms below to determine if an evaluation and treatment may be beneficial for you:
Mom’s Symptoms:
- Cracked/blistered/bleeding nipples
- Plugged ducts
- Discomfort while nursing
- Sleep deprivation (because a baby is not able to nurse efficiently, they may compensate by nursing more often, including at night)
- Thrush/Mastitis
- Compromised milk supply
Baby’s Symptoms:
- Reflux or colic
- Difficulty latching
- Gumming or chewing nipples
- Gassy
- Poor weight gain
- Makes clicking noises
- Choking on milk/popping off the breast to gasp for air
- Milk leaking from the corner of mouth when feeding
Dr. Melanie works with a network of local professionals to help you determine if a tie is present and what type of care may be needed. Feeding does not have to be a challenging, frustrating experience. Reach out for help!