Evidence links vertebral subluxation complex to immunosupression.  Chiropractic adjustments linked to improved resistance to disease.

Current research suggests that spinal health is particularly important for children.  This applies from infancy, and extends far beyond back pain to prevention and general health.  The fact that chiropractic management is conservative and safe, making no use of drug therapy or surgery, will be attractive to many parents.  In short, it is often sensible to have children under both chiropractic and medical care.  Parents should seek professionals who are able to admit their limitations, cooperate with one another, and place the interests of their mutual patients first.

Chapman-Smith, D the Chiropractic Report, July 1992 Vol. 6 No. 5.

Blocked atlantal nerve syndrome in babies and infants (alternative translations of title: The atlas fixation syndrome in the baby and infant; The atlas subluxation syndrome of the baby and infant.) Gutmann G. Manuelle Medizin 1987 25:5-10, Trans. Peters RE

From the author's abstract:

Three case reports (10-month-old male, 18-month-old male, and a 7-month-old male) are reviewed to illustrate a syndrome that has so far received far too little attention. The syndrome is caused and perpetuated in babies and infants by blocked nerve impulses at the atlas.  The clinical picture ranges from central motor impairment and development through epencephalic impairments of vegetative regulatory systems to lowered resistance to infections, especially to ear-, nose-, and throat infections...Chiropractic can often bring about amazingly successful results, because the therapy is a causal one”.

Gutman is a medical doctor who has been using chiropractic techniques for the past 35 years.  From his and other German medical studies, Gutman concludes that only 14-20% of all children are in autonomic balance.  Of the 80% not balanced, many of them have atlas subluxations.  He has been “constantly amazed how, even with the lightest adjustment with the index finger, the clinical picture normalizes, sometimes gradually, but often immediately”.

Die Kopfgelenksblockierung des Neugeborenen.  Seifert J. in Lewit K. Gutmann G (eds) Rehabilitacia, Vol. 8 Prague: Bratislawa, 1975:53.

Among 1093 newborns, 298 babies had upper cervical subluxations and early signs of infantile scoliosis.

Treatment of infants in the first year of life by chiropractors.  Incidents and reasons for seeking treatment. Munck LK, Hoffman H, Nielsen AA. Ugeskr Laeger 1988; 150:1841-1844.

The authors performed a retrospective survey of 162 children cared for by doctors of chiropractic in their first year of life.

The conditions seen by DCs were:

• Infantile colic 73%
• Curvature 8%
• Bronchitis 3%
• Allergy 2.5%
• Sleep disorder 1.8%
• Middle ear inflammation 1.8%
• Eczema 0.6%

Case #1: Newborn respiratory difficulty associated with nasal subluxation.

Case reports in chiropractic pediatrics.  Esch, S.  American Chiropractic Assn.  J of ChiropracticDecember 1988.

This is the case of a 13-day-old with respiratory difficulty since birth (uncomplicated and at home).  Family history of asthma and hay fever.

Analysis revealed there was a jamming of the proximal end of the nasal bones.  A traction adjustment with a caudal-ventral direction gave an audible release.  The child took a deep sighing inhalation and began breathing without difficulty.

Copyright 2004 Koren Publications, Inc. & Tedd Koren, D.C.

Bone mineral density changes following upper cervical care. Kessinger R, Boneva D and White PB Ninth Annual Vertebral Subluxation Research Conference October 13-14, 2001 Spartanburg, SC  http://www.sherman.edu/research/subcon9.html#rob  (published in the September, 2002 Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research)

Changes in bone mineral density following a course of upper cervical chiropractic care was explored in 33 consecutive patients in a doctor's office over a period of 34 months.

Bone mineral density was assessed on each subject via the accuDEXA BMD assessment system, a bone densitometer that estimates bone mineral density (BMD).

Each subject was examined via accuDEXA BMD assessment system prior to receiving his or her first upper cervical adjustment. Follow-up examinations were performed in 4 weeks, 6 months and 1 year post initiation of upper cervical chiropractic care.

In addition, each patient completed a SF-36 Rand Health Survey coinciding with each BMD examination.

Significant positive changes in BMD were noted in the majority of cases following one year of upper cervical chiropractic care. Three cases that presented with a BMD lower than what is considered normal moved into the normal range on their one-year follow-up examination. BMD changes observed 4 weeks and 6 months following the initiation of upper cervical chiropractic care do not appear significant. The SF-36 Rand Health Survey demonstrated positive responses in each of the follow-up examinations. This study suggests that upper cervical chiropractic care may positively influence bone mineral density.