Research Wednesday: Chiropractic and Infantile Gastroesophageal Reflux

Welcome to Research Wednesday! Every Wednesday we will dive into some of the latest research when it comes to chiropractic and raising healthy families. We encourage you to read, learn, ask questions, implement and share. At Tree of Life Chiropractic - Seattle, it is our passion and calling to serve you to our up most ability.

Chiropractic Care of a Pediatric Patient With Symptoms Associated With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Joel Alcantara, DC and Renata Anderson, DC

Abstract

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a digestive disorder consisting of reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. GER is also more commonly known as acid reflux and is considered a normal physiologic process that occurs in healthy people of all ages and affects approximately 50% of healthy, full-term newborns. The acid reflux occurs as a result of transient relaxations of the lower esophageal sphincter or when the sphincter tone adapts inadequately to changes in abdominal pressure. The acid reflux becomes known as a disease process (i.e., gastroesopahageal reflux disease) only after the acid reflux becomes symptomatic or causes pathological consequences for the patient.

Gastroesopahageal reflux disease (GERD) may be present in infants with initial signs and symptoms of frequent vomiting, poor weight gain, and persistent irritability. Regurgitation is also a common manifestation of GERD in those younger than 12 months of age. Some less common signs and symptoms of advanced GERD in infants include hematemesis, anemia, persistent cough, recurrent ear infections and torticollis.

The incidence of GERD in infancy has been estimated at approximately 18% and becomes more common as children become older. One possibly for this may be due to the ability of the older patient to report symptoms more accurately.

Given the growing pediatric incidence and prevalence of GERD, multiple treatment options have been proposed, from both allopathic and non-allopathic clinicians. Debate continues regarding non-allopathic approaches to the care of pediatric patients, particularly the use of chiropractic pediatric care. In the interest of evidence-based practice for chiropractic pediatric, we present the successful care of a pediatric patient with subjective complaints consistent with GERD.

Clinical Features: A 3-month old girl was provided with chiropractic and cranial sacral care at the request and consent of her mother for symptoms associated with medically-diagnosed GERD. The patient exhibited frequent vomiting, difficulty with breast feeding, interrupted sleep, generalized muscle rigidity, and frequent high-pitched crying. The patient previously received chiropractic care elsewhere as well medically managed with the prescription of Prilosec. The infant’s condition was unaffected by these previous treatments to the point that, according to the patient’s mother, the infant’s condition was adversely affecting the family dynamics in a variety of ways.

Intervention and Outcome: The patient was treated with site-specific, low amplitude, high velocity chiropractic adjustments to sites of vertebral subluxations, particularly at the atlas and the 4th thoracic vertebra. The patient was also cared for with low-force cranial sacral therapy to the mandible, temporal, and parietal cranial plates. The patient responded favorably to care with reduction in frequency of vomiting, improved feeding, decreased generalized muscle rigidity, and decreased high-pitched and frequency of crying. The above notable changes were observed within four patient visits and with total resolution of symptoms within approximately three months of care.

Conclusion: This case study demonstrates that pediatric patients suffering from gastrointestinal disorder such as GERD may benefit from a clinical and theoretical framework of adjustments to sites of vertebral subluxations.

Dr. Moe's Commentary

I picked this research article out specifically because we have seen a good amount of kids come into our office recently with very similar issues and have been responding favorably. I also wanted to to give hope and encourage those other parents out there who are searching for answers.

There are a couple of key points in this research that I want to point out. This kiddo had been to another chiropractor and had tried to use medication, neither seemed to have an effect. It wasn't until starting specific chiropractic from a pediatric chiropractor like Dr. Chelsea and myself at Tree of Life Chiropractic - Seattle that she started to get better. Secondly, it took 3 months for resolution of the symptoms. It takes time for the nervous system to start functioning optimally and healing the body.

It is never too early to get your children checked by a pediatric chiropractor. With that being said, it is also never too late to get your children checked by a pediatric chiropractor.

We would love to serve you and your family or if our location does not work for you, we will personally search for a pediatric chiropractor in your area.

Be Blessed!