Resolution of Breastfeeding Difficulties Following Chiropractic

The Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health published the results of a case on November 14, 2019, describing how an infant (just hours old) was helped by chiropractic after a traumatic birth process. Birth trauma can be the result of several factors including deliveries by forceps, excessive pressure, multiple births, or an unusual position of the head during delivery.

A study on birth trauma published on September 11, 2019, on the National Center for Biotechnology Information website noted that mechanically assisted birth was a prime factor for birth trauma. However, the study noted that there had been a reduction in mechanically assisted birth with a correlated reduction in birth trauma. They reported that the birth trauma rate fell from 2.6 per 1000 live births in 2004 to 1.9 per 1000 live births in 2012.

Asynclitism is when the infants head is angled in such a way as to make vaginal delivery difficult or require a cesarean. The results of birth trauma often range from spinal subluxations to a malformed head shape known as deformational plagiocephaly. When this condition is present, birth trauma will often result.

In this case, a 6-hour-old boy was assessed by a chiropractor who was present during the birthing process. As described in the study, the infant had a traumatic birth due to an oblique position of his head during the birth process. The result was his head was elongated and swollen and he was crying as if in pain. He had significant trouble breastfeeding and was only able to partially do so on one side.

A chiropractic examination showed stiffness in the infant's ability to move his neck, and palpation of his neck elicited a pain response. When performing any motion of his neck, the infant would pull his hands back to his head and cry. The infant’s hands were clinched into fists around his thumbs.

The chiropractor determined that subluxations were present and specific age and size appropriate forms of chiropractic adjustments were given. Immediately after his adjustment, it was noted that his musculature began to relax, and his hand opened up. The infant was then able to breast feed without pain on either side. The infant's neck was able to move normally and did not illicit pain or crying.

In their conclusion the authors wrote, "This case report provides supporting evidence that patients suffering from birth trauma may benefit from subluxation-based chiropractic care."