(ConservativeJournal.org) – Experts are concerned over a new viral trend where chiropractors ‘adjust’ the backs of newborns, endangering the babies with possible damage to their bodies.
Australian pediatric family physician Dr. James Best discourages parents from trying these types of practices and describes them as distressing to him as a medical professional. He and other providers have called for a ban on chiropractic treatments for children under two. Dr. Best emphasized how vulnerable babies’ spines are, saying these chiropractors cause more harm than good and should stop immediately.
Chiropractic care is often marketed as an alternative to drugs or surgery for issues like chronic pain. The dangers of chiropractic adjustments in general can be exemplified by the 2022 case of Caitlin Jensen, a college student who was left paralyzed after getting her neck adjusted in Georgia. Her chiropractor accidentally severed arteries in her neck, which led to a stroke.
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Sean Tabie from Children’s National Hospital echoes these concerns. He stated that the practices are not helping newborns at all as their bodies are too small and grow too fast.
Chiropractic organizations, however, defend the practice of treating babies. They argue it can help them with persistent crying, constipation, and spinal problems. Despite these claims, there are no clear advantages to using chiropractic treatments to manage colic in babies, according to a 2021 University of Southern Denmark study.
High costs and mixed evidence haven’t deterred parents from seeking chiropractic care for their children. Despite not being actual medical doctors, chiropractors undergo significant training, including three years of undergraduate study and four years of chiropractic graduate programs. All states require chiropractors to undergo this training and be licensed.
Overall, few medical professionals recommend chiropractic care for babies. Dr. Mutahir Farhan, an internal medicine doctor in California, likewise questions their validity as medical practice, especially when it comes to treating infants. He stated that no organizations of OB-GYN physicians or pediatricians endorse such treatments.
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