• Watson A
• Postlethwaite R
• McIvor C

• Adaptation, Psychological
• Female
• Infant
• Infant Care
• Mood Disorders
• Open Access Document
• Sleep
• Subluxation

Background: A 12-week-old female was presented for Chiropractic care with parents listing primary concerns of screaming during tummy time, difficulty lifting her head, and exhibiting no arm weight-bearing ability. Further examination revealed difficulties with digestion, a significant head tilt resulting in flat spots (plagiocephaly) on the rear of the head, and excessive gagging while sleeping. 

Management: The infant was placed on a care plan where she was seen twice a week for three weeks, and then a further two sessions. During this time she was cared for using spinal adjusting, cranial and palate adjusting, as well as peripheral adjusting for shoulder dysfunction. All methods were modified appropriately for the infant's stage of development. 

Outcomes: Significant improvements were noted across all areas of concern, and the infant was able to clear her milestones whereas she had been lagging behind prior to care. This case report illustrates the potential for chiropractic to support developmental milestones by integrating primitive reflexes, supporting the development of the cervical curve, and allowing the nervous system to better adapt to issues like feeding, sleeping and overall wellbeing. 

Conclusion: Basic science has bedded down the importance of tummy time in cervical curve development, and chiropractic case report data has often indicated improvements in mood and digestion, this case report provides a rationale for further research into retained primitive reflexes under chiropractic care. 

Author Keywords: Chiropractic; Subluxation; Infant care; Adaptability; Sleep; Mood

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