07/23/2026
👶 Is it just a "phase"—or is it birth stress?
If you're navigating the exhausting blur of colic, reflux, or breastfeeding struggles, you’ve probably been told to "just wait it out". But a landmark new study involving 145 infants under the age of one suggests these challenges might actually be rooted in the physical marathon of birth itself!
Researchers Dr. Andrew Dorough and Dr. Joel Alcantara analyzed how labor and delivery mechanics impact a baby's fragile, developing nervous system. The findings are incredibly eye-opening for parents:
📊 The Key Stats From the Study:
▪ 100% of the infants examined exhibited excessive neck muscle tension (cervical muscle hypertonicity), which is the body's protective response to birth trauma.
▪ 98.62% showed swelling (joint edema) in their cervical spine, a hallmark marker of a birth stress-strain injury.
▪ 77.93% faced breastfeeding challenges, which researchers linked directly to structural tension in the neck, skull, and jaw interfering with nerve function.
▪ 71.72% of the mothers experienced prolonged labor (over 12 hours), putting significant biomechanical strain on their baby's frame.
Pediatric chiropractic care uses gentle, age-appropriate techniques to help restore healthy movement and support normal nervous system function.
Just as newborns routinely have their weight, hearing, and heart checked, some parents also choose to have their baby's spine and nervous system evaluated after birth.
Have you ever considered a pediatric chiropractic evaluation for your little one? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Link to the study: https://vertebralsubluxationresearch.com/2026/06/03/1886-a-retrospective-file-review-of-infants-presenting-for-chiropractic-care-in-a-single-practitioner-practice/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
