Chiropractic Care Shows Promising Results for Infant with Birth Trauma and Breastfeeding Dysfunction
Originally published: 2025-06-10
May 13, 2025—In the latest issue of the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, Chiropractic (Volume 2025, Pages 29-44), a newly published case study documents the successful chiropractic management of a 16-day-old infant presenting with a range of complications resulting from birth trauma—including a fractured clavicle, breastfeeding dysfunction, disturbed sleep, and spinal subluxations.The study, authored by Dr. Andrew Dorough and Dr. Joel Alcantara, highlights the potential benefits of chiropractic adjustments in improving symptoms following a traumatic birth.
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Case Study Overview
In the report, the infant’s mother sought chiropractic care after noticing that her baby showed signs of discomfort, could not feed properly on one breast, and experienced frequent crying and poor sleep. Examination revealed that the infant exhibited a fixed right head tilt, restricted cervical spine and jaw motion, and swelling consistent with a birth-related clavicle fracture. These findings pointed to vertebral subluxations—a misalignment or fixation of the spine that can interfere with neurological function.
The chiropractic approach included the use of gentle “touch and hold” adjustments utilizing Diversified Technique, complemented by home care instructions to reduce inflammation. Over ten visits within a six-week period, the infant experienced dramatic improvements in cervical mobility, feeding effectiveness, digestion, and sleep quality. The mother’s pain during nursing resolved, and she no longer suffered from mastitis.
“This case demonstrates how correcting vertebral subluxations can help restore normal nervous system function, even in very young patients,” said Dr. Alcantara. “The nervous system controls and coordinates all functions of the body, and structural shifts in the spine can occur that obstruct the nerves and interfere with their function. These structural shifts can lead to obstruction of the nerves and it is this obstruction, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors correct. By removing the structural shifts, chiropractic improves nerve supply and function.”
Future Research and Considerations
The authors emphasize that chiropractic care does not treat fractured bones or medical conditions per se. Instead, it focuses on identifying and reducing vertebral subluxations, allowing the body to heal itself naturally and more efficiently. This conservative and non-invasive approach is especially valuable in supporting infants recovering from the physical stresses of birth.
The study calls for continued documentation of similar cases to support future research using larger and more rigorous study designs, including cohort studies and randomized controlled trials.
For more information on the study and chiropractic care following birth trauma, visit the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic, Volume 2025.
