What is Colic and what can we do at the
Octagon?Colic has several definitions but is
commonly understood to be unexplained prolonged crying in a new-born infant
thought to be related to discomfort in the digestive system. The babies will
often cry for many hours and will be generally unresponsive to the usual ways of
soothing such as cuddling, rocking and even feeding. Shrill crying is really the
common factor during these episodes and it is a world away from the
hungry/tired/ bored/just done a poo cry that we are all familiar with. These
babies scream with an intensity that sends shivers down your spine and they keep
it up for hours. They contort their little bodies into awkward positions often
with their legs pulled up and their backs arched usually until they drop into a
fitful, exhausted sleep.
WHAT CAUSES IT?
When you see these babies crying you feel they
must have something very seriously wrong with them. Most of the time they don't
and yes, hard as it may be to believe at the time, they really do grow out of it
without serious effects, that is if you disregard profound parental anxiety and
sleep deprivation. In truth no-one really knows what causes colic. There have
been several excellent studies into colic by Chiropractors, Osteopaths and the
medical profession but none come to any conclusions as to what causes this
distressing condition. There is speculation that it may be merely immaturity of
the bowel, some say it is air trapped ion the stomach due to inadequate winding,
others that it is a trapped nerve in the neck disrupting digestive function but
no-one knows for sure.
WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP?
It would be a fair
question that if no-one really knows what causes colic how can we possibly treat
it? I think in truth colic has many causes which present in a similar way and
it is misleading to think of it as a finite condition. The four of us who work
here at the Octagon Clinic are trained as Paediatric Chiropractors so in effect
we are Mechanical Engineers for babies. We listen closely to your history as
this will often reveal important clues as to the source of your baby's
discomfort. Sleeping and feeding patterns are particularly important in
new-borns and this can also help us to identify the very small number which have
a more serious underlying cause for the colic and which require further medical
referral. We look at the way your baby lies, how they move. We check their
reflexes, watch them suck, feel their tummies. In other words we get a good
idea of how well their musculo-skeletal and nervous system is working and
identify any potential problems. All babies have various kinks and twists, some
inherited, some acquired during gestation or birth and most are completely
harmless and will come out in the wash as they grow and develop. A small number
however have the potential to be more disruptive and could be the trigger
underlying the colic symptoms. Through the history, observation and examination
we discuss whether this could be the case and if there is anything we can do to
help.
WHAT DOES TREATMENT
INVOLVE?
As Chiropractors we use manipulation to help
correct abherent musculo-skeletal and neurological patterns. Many people
understand this to mean cracking joints but in reality this is only one a
plethera of techniques which can be employed and one that would obviously be
unsuitable to use with babies and small children. Instead we employ gentle
cranial and muscular release techniques to help to optimise mechanical and
neurological function. That may sound a bit technical but the babies usually
love being treated and will often sleep through the session. Treatment is
sometimes referred to as cranial massage but this is not strictly correct as
although the techniques may resemble gentle massage they work in a completely
different way to help to unwind tension patterns and are not confined to the
head.
HOW MANY SESSIONS ARE
REQUIRED?
One of the wonderful things about treating
babies is that we don't have to deal with long-standing patterns and bad habits.
Correcting mechanical stress-patterns involves gently nudging them back on the
right track and their own incredible development does all the hard work for us.
Some colicy babies require a little more management than others especially if
there are other co-existing conditions present such as reflux or constipation.
Most however respond fairly quickly and we try to interfere as little as
possible in the normal developmental processes.
SOME FINAL THOUGHTS.....
Colic isn't life threatening
though try saying that to parents who are taking it in turns to walk up and down
the hallway in the early hours of the morning carrying a crying baby who has no
interest in either feeding or sleeping. We unfortunately do not have a miracle
cure for colic but in most cases we can help in some way. If you like do feel
free to phone or e-mail us here at the Octagon Clinic and speak to Anna,
Martina, Silje or Steve. Our advice is always free. |
