Resolution of Defiant Behavior and Improved Speech with Chiropractic

The Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health published the results of a case study on March 25, 2022, documenting the positive outcomes from chiropractic care of a toddler who was suffering from behavioral and learning issues.

The study begins by noting that explaining to parents the benefits and safety of chiropractic for children can be challenging. Many people believe that chiropractic care is for adults with musculoskeletal complaints only. However, since chiropractic deals with correcting interference to the nervous system, the effects can be much further reaching. The authors note, "Chiropractic has a direct effect on the brain and a person’s neurology every time they receive a chiropractic adjustment that removes vertebral subluxations."

In this case, a 3-year-old girl was brought to a chiropractic health center by her mother. The girl had become non-verbal and started displaying defiant-like behaviors suddenly at the age of two. After she became non-verbal, the little girl started having dramatic increases in emotional outbursts including defiant-like behaviors, and she was becoming unable to connect with her family.

The girl had been in speech therapy for the last six months but had not had any perceivable results. Her mother noted that her daughter was unable to make social connections, verbally, emotionally, and physically. These problems coupled with the increasing defiant behavior was cause considerable stress on her family.

The study reports that the girl's first few visits were difficult as the little girl would cry, throw a tantrum, and be very nervous about being touched. Examination procedures were conducted gradually depending on the child's mood and tolerance. The focus of the chiropractic care was detection and correction of subluxations specifically in the upper neck.

As chiropractic care continued for the correction of subluxation, the mother reported that her daughter was improving in a number of areas. Those included better sleep quality and quantity, better ability to concentrate, improved vocabulary and ability to communicate, less anxiety with better moods, and an ability to better regulate her emotions. Eventually, the girl's mother reported that her daughter was communicating more appropriately for her age and she no longer was displaying defiant like behaviors.

In their conclusions the authors noted, "Initially this patient displayed defiant-like behaviors and speech development issues. She was able to start communicating and connecting with her family, loved ones and world with no complications following the delivery of chiropractic care." They further explained, "The reduction of vertebral subluxations proved successful in reducing the frequency of emotional outbursts, improvement in speech, and ability to connect with family members."