HealthCare

Chiropractic

What techniques do you use to help babies feel more secure?

Techniques to Secure and Comfort Infants: Expert Insights

What techniques do you use to help babies feel more secure? So great question. So first and foremost, there are a variety of different techniques within the chiropractic profession that are super gentle, comforting, and safe for infants. Some of the things that I personally do in the office is holding the infant, especially if they are colicky. There's different things that we use to make them feel more comfortable or secure. So the shushing, the bouncing from side to side, the gentle rubbing on the back or the belly is also very, very soothing for an infant. Another thing that we do is the blanket that the baby is usually wrapped in or that mom or dad brings in with them to the office, laying the blanket out and wrapping the baby in the blanket as they get adjusted is super soothing and securing them as well. Just because the blanket smells like home, it smells like mom, it's a familiar smell, so it reminds them of a safe space. So we have babies lay in a special pillow that is super comforting to the infant. So when we just lay the blanket on top of the pillow and then the baby lays in the blanket, that is also very soothing and makes the baby feel super secure. Eye contact is huge, right? They are, even though they're infants, they're still people. So eye contact, any type of talking, lowering the baby's voice is, or lowering your voice so that the baby feels more secure and safe is also very helpful. Dimming the lights is also very helpful and makes the baby feel more secure. These are all tactics that we can use to make sure that the baby is comfortable and safe in this new environment.

Holding the baby, shushing, bouncing from side to side, gentle rubbing on the back or belly, wrapping the baby in a blanket, laying them in a special pillow, making eye contact, talking in a low voice, and dimming the lights are all techniques that can help babies feel more secure.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/i8s4aivgk9c9i2ycxwup.vtt

To help babies feel more secure, there are various gentle techniques within the chiropractic profession that can be used. Holding the infant, especially if they are colicky, can provide comfort and security. Techniques such as shushing, gentle rubbing on the back or belly, and bouncing from side to side can also be soothing for infants. Wrapping the baby in a familiar-smelling blanket from home during adjustments can create a sense of safety. Special comforting pillows and blankets can be used as well. Maintaining eye contact, talking with a lowered voice, and dimming the lights can contribute to the baby's comfort and sense of security in a new environment. These tactics aim to ensure that the baby feels safe and at ease.

How can chiropractic care help people to recover after vaginal birth?

How Chiropractic Care Aids in Postpartum Recovery

The question is how can chiropractic care help people recover after a vaginal birth? Great question. So birth is a tremendous feat no matter how you birth your baby, whether it was vaginal, belly or c-section birth, whether it was filled with intervention or with no intervention. Birth is still a tremendous feat and it is a trauma. And so we as chiropractors need to figure out, okay, how can we increase adaptability so that you can handle this new phase of life because there's a lot that happens. One, yes, the physical act of birthing your baby, but also there are brain changes that happen to meet the needs of your new baby, a lot of hormonal changes, just a lot going on. And then also, you know, tending to your human and then healing and then tending to other siblings, potentially going back to work. It's a lot. So what the adjustment does is it helps to stimulate the nerves, especially around the pelvis and tailbone, so that the brain can properly communicate all these organ systems, so that healing can occur at a faster and more efficient rate. Because once we take care of the nervous system, which is our foundational system of the body, this is when everything else falls into place. And then we're also looking at resiliency and this is how we objectively measure resiliency is through heart rate variability. And so we're able to track this along your postpartum journey. And what research shows is that when we have a higher heart rate variability, that shows more resiliency, more adaptability, increase in recovery, and overall healing too. So we're looking subjectively and objectively and that's just a way that you can recover with chiropractic.

Chiropractic care can help people recover after vaginal birth by stimulating the nerves around the pelvis and tailbone to increase communication between the brain and other organ systems, as well as increasing heart rate variability which helps to show more resilience and increased recovery.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/soh7tkp9sejnjbhogjos.vtt

Chiropractic care can aid in the recovery after a vaginal birth by increasing adaptability and addressing the various changes that occur during this phase of life. Birth is a significant feat and can be considered a traumatic event regardless of the method or interventions involved. Chiropractors strive to enhance adaptability to help individuals handle the physical and emotional demands of postpartum life.

Chiropractic adjustments stimulate the nerves around the pelvis and tailbone, facilitating proper communication between the brain and organ systems. This promotes faster and more efficient healing. By prioritizing the nervous system, which is foundational to overall health, other aspects of recovery fall into place.

Resiliency is another important aspect assessed through heart rate variability. Chiropractors can track heart rate variability throughout the postpartum journey to measure adaptability. Higher heart rate variability indicates increased resiliency, adaptability, improved recovery, and overall healing.

By combining subjective assessments with objective measurements, chiropractic care offers a comprehensive approach to postpartum recovery. It supports healing and increases resilience during this transformative phase.

If I start going to a chiropractor, do I have to keep on going to get the benefits?

Breaking the Myth: Chiropractic Care Doesn't Require Ongoing Commitment

If I start going to a chiropractor, do I have to keep on going to get the benefits? Great question because this is a huge misconception within my profession. That once I go to the chiropractor, I always have to go to the chiropractor and that's simply not true. So we call the first phase of care the restorative phase of care. So this is when you and your chiropractor are actively working towards big goals that you have set out for care. That being like decrease in pain, improve digestion, improve sleep, improve with anxiety, so on and so forth. After that restorative phase of care is over and you have reached your goals, you usually have two options. One is to stop. Two is to keep going on a wellness or maintenance or routine basis. At the end of the day, you get to decide what works best for you and your health. You have to figure out, okay, does this feel like something that could be part of my wellness journey? Or maybe I just want to stop and do something else. It's just like eating well and exercising, there will always be benefits to going to the chiropractor. But that doesn't necessarily mean that you will go back into a chronic path where we have to revisit your goals time and time again. So you don't necessarily have to keep going after you've reached your goals. There will always be benefits. But at the end of the day, that is something that you have to discern for yourself. Most people choose to go down a wellness path because that's what they value. And that's what they feel is going to help them stay well and keep healing. But again, you don't have to in order to continue to get benefits.

You don't have to keep going to a chiropractor after you've reached your goals. There are always benefits to going, but it's ultimately up to you if you want to continue or not.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/xyvajkrulrdt1umzj4iy.vtt

If you start seeing a chiropractor, it is a common misconception that you have to keep going indefinitely to maintain the benefits. However, this is not true. The initial phase of care, known as the restorative phase, involves actively working with your chiropractor to achieve specific goals like pain reduction, improved digestion, better sleep, or reduced anxiety. Once you have reached these goals, you typically have two options: you can choose to stop chiropractic care altogether or continue on a wellness or maintenance basis. The decision ultimately rests with you and what works best for your health. Just like eating well and exercising, there will always be benefits to visiting a chiropractor, but it doesn't mean you will fall into a cycle of chronic care and goal revision. You don't have to keep going after reaching your goals, as there will still be benefits. It's a personal choice based on what you value and believe will help you stay well and continue healing. Many people opt for ongoing wellness care because they find value in it. However, it is not mandatory in order to continue reaping the benefits of chiropractic care.

How do you decide which treatment plan is best for each patient's individual needs?

Using Data and Technology to Personalize Treatment Plans

How do you decide which treatment plan is best for each patient's individual needs? So this is such a great question. So first and foremost, we use data from technology to help figure this out. So we use thermography, which is looking at temperature and balance within the spine. We're looking at surface EMG or electromyography, which is looking at the tone of our muscles, high tone versus low tone, and then heart rate variability or HRV, which is looking at vehicle tone and overall adaptability. So whether or not we're stuck in a stress fight-flight mode or whether we're in a rest-digest healing mode, which we need to be oscillating between both of these nervous systems throughout our entire day. We also look, especially with kids, we look at stress during pregnancy, what that looked like, stress during labor and birth. So birth trauma is also going to dictate how we decide which treatment plan is best or care plan rather is best for each individual. And then we look at different types of stressors, so physical, chemical, and emotional stressors. So first physical, how much physical stress are they going through? For example, are they working out? Are they sitting for a majority of their day? Emotional stressors, like what does that look like? Any strange relationships, any anxiety? Chemical stressors, we're looking at toxic load, what's their diet look like? Are they using non-toxic products? So on and so forth. This will also help us figure out, hey, when will they see results? And then frequency and duration of care, which is huge, so it's this beautiful balance between objective and subjective matters that helps us to figure out each patient's needs.

We use data from technology such as thermography, surface EMG, heart rate variability, birth trauma, physical stressors, emotional stressors, chemical stressors, frequency and duration of care to determine the best treatment plan for each patient's individual needs.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/e2iut3galmsoxnqjn1y9.vtt

Deciding on the best treatment plan for each patient's individual needs is a comprehensive process that involves utilizing various data and factors. Firstly, we incorporate technology such as thermography, which assesses temperature and balance within the spine. We also analyze surface electromyography (EMG) to evaluate muscle tone and heart rate variability (HRV) to gauge overall adaptability and the balance between stress and healing modes in the nervous system. For children, we consider stress during pregnancy and birth trauma as influential factors. Additionally, we examine different stressors experienced by patients, including physical, chemical, and emotional stressors. This includes assessing physical activity levels, sedentary behavior, emotional well-being, relationships, diet quality, toxic load exposure, and product usage. By considering these factors, we determine the level of physical stress, emotional stress, and toxic load a patient may be facing. This information helps us understand when patients may start seeing results and establish the appropriate frequency and duration of care. Ultimately, our decision-making process combines objective data with subjective patient experiences to create individualized treatment plans.

What are the most common musculoskeletal dysfunctions that can result from a c-section birth?

Common Musculoskeletal Dysfunctions After C-Section Birth Unveiled

This question is, what are the most common musculoskeletal dysfunctions that can result from a C-section birth? So similarly to the other question about what are some of the dysfunctions from a vaginal birth, what did pregnancy prep look like? Who were the people on your team to help prepare you for labor and birth? Again, it also depends on the situation. Did you go through a trial of labor? What interventions were used that led you to the C-section? Was it a scheduled C-section? So on and so forth. So a lot of different factors that can result into what postpartum healing might look like after a C-section birth. However, some of the most common symptoms that you may experience musculoskeletal-wise, again, pain, numbness, tingling in the pelvic floor, down the legs and to the hip, definitely soreness or tenderness at the C-section scar or the incision, potentially some numbness as well. Depending on how you were positioned during the C-section, a lot of moms, because a lot of moms will have their arms outstretched for certain IVs and medications, a lot of times moms will report pain in their shoulders or arms as well, or maybe some numbness and tingling into the fingers. Again, definitely depends on the situation and whether or not this is your first C-section, whether or not there was a lot of scar tissue, whether or not you went through a trial of labor, what pregnancy prep looked like, so on and so forth. So just because you had a C-section birth does not necessarily mean that your pelvic floor was spared. So again, most moms will report leakage, bowel incontinence, again, pain, and tingling in the pelvic floor as well, so these are just some dysfunctions.

Some of the most common musculoskeletal dysfunctions that can result from a C-section birth include pain, numbness, tingling in the pelvic floor, down the legs into the hip, soreness or tenderness at the c-section scar, numbness at the incision site, pain in the shoulder and arms, and leakage of urine and/or fecal contents. These symptoms can be affected by factors such as whether it was a scheduled C-section, if there was a trial of labor, and what pregnancy preparation looked like.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/ipqwu26buv3nptc7wtf5.vtt

The most common musculoskeletal dysfunctions that can result from a C-section birth depend on various factors, such as the circumstances leading to the C-section and individual experiences. Symptoms may include pain, numbness, tingling in the pelvic floor, legs, and hips. Soreness or tenderness at the C-section scar or incision, as well as potential numbness, are also common. Depending on the positioning during the procedure, some moms may report pain or numbness in their shoulders, arms, or fingers. It's important to note that having a C-section does not necessarily spare the pelvic floor from issues. Many moms may experience leakage, bowel incontinence, and pelvic floor pain or tingling. The specific dysfunctions can vary based on factors like previous C-sections, presence of scar tissue, whether a trial of labor was attempted, and prenatal preparation methods.

What have been the biggest changes you have seen in the field of pediatric chiropractic?

Pediatric Chiropractic: Training, Techniques, Research and Mentorship

What have been the biggest changes you have seen in the field of pediatric chiropractic? So, first and foremost, from understanding my history, so chiropractic's history, to where it started to where it is now, there's a lot of big changes that obviously have occurred within the pediatric realm of chiropractic care. So first and foremost would be training. So now there's a bunch of different trainings that you can use to better enhance your skills, to be more qualified to take care of infants, toddlers, kiddos with special needs, special gifts, a lot of tough neuro cases as well. So there's definitely more training that is involved. There's a lot more education that is involved. There are a lot of different techniques that have been created to better serve this population and different populations within the pediatric group. There has also been a ton more research. That's a huge change as well from where chiropractic has started to where it is now. And then obviously just people who have walked in the field of pediatric chiropractic as well. So now we have access to better mentors, better coaches, really giants in pediatric chiropractic profession that new chiros, new pediatric chiros are able to stand on those shoulders. So again, the biggest changes for sure is going to be techniques that have been created to better serve this population, training, research, and then also mentors and coaches that we are able and have the opportunity to stand on their shoulders to better serve this population.

The biggest changes in the field of pediatric chiropractic are better training and education, new techniques, more research, and access to mentors and coaches.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/dydj2d0ub8rjhzifb56m.vtt

The biggest changes I have seen in the field of pediatric chiropractic include significant advancements in training, education, techniques, research, and mentorship. In the past, there were limited training options for chiropractors who wanted to specialize in pediatric care. However, now there are various trainings available to enhance skills and qualify practitioners to provide care for infants, toddlers, children with special needs, and challenging neuro cases. The field has also witnessed the development of different techniques tailored to serve specific pediatric populations. Moreover, there has been a substantial increase in research dedicated to pediatric chiropractic, which has contributed to a better understanding of its effectiveness and benefits. Additionally, new chiropractors entering this field have access to experienced mentors and coaches who can provide guidance and support. These changes have greatly improved the ability of chiropractors to serve the pediatric population with enhanced skills and knowledge.

Neither AnyQuestion nor its Experts provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment or otherwise provide professional healthcare services.

Physician disclaimer

Dr. Gabrielle Manto, DC answers your Chiropractic questions. See all the advice Dr. Gabrielle Manto, DC has and get answers to your own Chiropractic questions.

Follow me on AnyQuestion

Gabrielle graduated from Temple University with her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology, General Business and Spanish. After graduating, she moved to Dallas to attend Parker College of Chiropractic. She held leadership roles in the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association and developed a passion for serving mothers, babies and children. She participated in doula training and mission trips to El Salvador and Guatemala. Gabrielle is currently working towards her post-graduate certification through the ICPA and is trained and certified in Webster Technique, Perinatal Care, BirthFit, MC2 Tonal Technique, and FOCUS. Her mission is to empower women and ensure babies have a healthy start to life.