Can Babies Benefit from Chiropractic Care? Here’s What the Research Says.
When most people think of chiropractic care, they think of adults seeking relief from back pain or headaches. But in recent years, more parents have started exploring chiropractic care for their infants. Especially for issues like colic, digestion, and sleep. So, is chiropractic care for babies safe and effective? And what does the research actually say?
Let’s break it down.
Why Would a Baby See a Chiropractor?
Birth is physically demanding not just for the mother, but for the baby, too. We start our lives with the most physically traumatic event we will likely go through. During delivery, especially with interventions like forceps, vacuum assistance, or C-sections, a baby’s spine and nervous system can experience tension or stress. This can contribute to a range of functional issues in infants, including:
Colic
Reflux or digestive discomfort
Torticollis (tight neck muscles)
Breastfeeding or latch challenges
Difficulty sleeping or excessive fussiness
Not all chiropractors are trained to care for infants—but all of ours are.
At Ability, every doctor is trained in pediatric chiropractic care, meaning they’ve studied the unique needs of a baby’s developing spine and nervous system. They use incredibly gentle, specific techniques—often compared to the light pressure you'd use to test a ripe peach—to assess and adjust even the tiniest patients safely and effectively. Parents trust us because we don’t just treat babies—we specialize in supporting their growth, development, and lifelong health from day one.
Colic and Chiropractic Care: What the Research Shows
Colic, defined as excessive and inconsolable crying in an otherwise healthy baby, affects up to 20% of infants. It’s a distressing condition for families and has no definitive medical cure which is why many parents turn to chiropractic care for help. We can’t begin to count the number of frustrated, sleep deprived, parents who have walked in our doors after being told by their pediatrician that it is just something both they and their child have to deal with. It doesn’t have to be this way.
A 2012 systematic review published in the journal Clinical Chiropractic found that chiropractic adjustments reduce crying time in colicky infants. Another randomized controlled trial published in JMPT (Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics) in 1999 found that babies receiving chiropractic care cried significantly less than those who did not. By 1 hour less per day on average.
In 2020, a large prospective cohort study in the UK funded by the National Health Service followed infants and showed that chiropractic care led to improved feeding and reduced crying and sleeping difficulties, all without any adverse effects.
Digestive Discomfort & Reflux
Babies with digestive challenges like reflux, gas, or constipation also benefit from chiropractic care. While research is still emerging in this area, many chiropractors have witnessed that stress and subluxations in the spine, particularly in the mid-back and sacral areas, can interfere with nerve communication to the digestive tract.
A 2011 case series published in Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing documented improvements in infants with gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) following gentle spinal adjustments. Parents reported better feeding, less spitting up, and improved comfort during and after meals.
While more large-scale studies are needed, early evidence, combined with widespread clinical observation, supports chiropractic as a safe, drug-free option for improving infant digestion.
What About Safety?
This is one of the most common questions parents ask and it’s a valid one. There is so much misinformation about the safety of chiropractic for adults that it would make sense to be cautious for little ones.
Multiple studies have confirmed that chiropractic care for infants is safe when performed by a qualified pediatric chiropractor. According to a 2015 review of over 3,000 pediatric visits, the rate of adverse effects was less than 0.5%, and those effects were mild such as temporary fussiness.
The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) also emphasizes that pediatric chiropractors are specially trained in anatomy, development, and gentle techniques appropriate for infants and children. Again, all Ability doctors are licensed to see infant patients.
Other Research-Supported Benefits
Beyond colic and digestion, research and clinical studies suggest chiropractic care can also help with:
Torticollis and head preference – A 2016 study found chiropractic care effective in improving range of motion in babies with torticollis, helping to prevent flat head syndrome (plagiocephaly).
Breastfeeding issues – If nerve interference or musculoskeletal tension is affecting jaw function or latch, chiropractic adjustments help babies feed more comfortably.
Improved sleep and regulation – Many parents report that their babies sleep more soundly and seem calmer after adjustments, likely due to improved nervous system balance.
Final Thoughts: Is It Right for Your Baby?
Chiropractic care for infants is growing in popularity for a reason. It's gentle, non-invasive, and focused on supporting the body’s natural ability to heal and function. If your baby is struggling with colic, digestive discomfort, or general fussiness, we would love to have you in to one of our 17 offices in Columbus, Ohio and Charlotte, NC. We are here to help!