DR. LISA GOODMAN, DC, CCSP, CACCP
Have you ever considered how much stress a newborn’s body endures during birth? It’s one of the most physically demanding experiences of their life. While many parents instinctively check their baby’s eyes, hearing, and reflexes, one crucial area often gets overlooked—their spine.
With spring in the air in Denver, I love seeing all the strollers and baby bumps in Wash Park! These tiny humans are about to begin their journey, and chiropractic care can play a key role in ensuring a strong, healthy start.
Why Consider Chiropractic Care for Your Newborn?
For families familiar with chiropractic care, the idea of bringing a newborn in for an adjustment makes perfect sense. However, for many, the concept may seem unfamiliar or even surprising.
Here’s the key: newborn adjustments look nothing like adult adjustments. There’s no twisting or cracking—just gentle, precise movements to help align and balance their tiny bodies.
The birth process, while natural, can sometimes lead to spinal misalignment, tension, or nervous system irritation—especially in cases of:
• Long or difficult labors
• Cesarean sections or assisted deliveries (vacuum, forceps, etc.)
• Breech positioning or in-utero constraint
Even in a smooth, natural birth, the pressure on a baby’s spine can impact their comfort and function. That’s where gentle chiropractic care can help.
How Do I Know If My Baby Needs an Adjustment?
So, what signs should parents look for? Some of the most common indicators that a newborn may benefit from chiropractic care include:
• Head tilt or preference to one side (torticollis)
• Difficulty latching or feeding (sometimes linked to tension in the neck or jaw)
• Frequent fussiness, irritability, or colic
• Trouble sleeping for longer than 2-3 hours at a time
• Reflux, gas, or digestive discomfort
These symptoms can sometimes be linked to tension, spinal misalignment, or nervous system overstimulation. Gentle chiropractic adjustments can relieve this stress, allowing babies to feed more comfortably, sleep better, and feel at ease.
What Does a Newborn Chiropractic Adjustment Look Like?
Newborn adjustments are incredibly gentle, precise, and tailored to their delicate bodies.
Rather than high-velocity thrusts, I use light fingertip pressure and subtle movements—often no more than the pressure you’d use to check the ripeness of a tomato. These adjustments incorporate the baby’s breathing, reflexes, and natural movements to release tension and restore alignment.
Many parents notice immediate changes in their baby after an adjustment. Some become calmer and more content, while others sleep more soundly or nurse more effectively. Parents often tell me their baby just seems “happier” after care—because when the nervous system is balanced, everything functions more smoothly.
Preventative Care: Setting a Strong Foundation for the Future
I truly believe that every newborn can benefit from a chiropractic evaluation within their first few weeks of life. Just as babies receive hearing and vision screenings, a spinal health check ensures they are developing optimally from day one.
For example:
• A baby with a head tilt at birth may adapt by altering their posture, potentially leading to spinal imbalances, asymmetry, or even scoliosis later in life.
• Many children who experience chronic ear infections, allergies, or digestive issues may have underlying nervous system stress linked to spinal misalignment.
By supporting spinal health early on, we can help create a stronger foundation for a lifetime of well-being.
Chiropractic & Collaborative Care
At Washington Park Chiropractic, we believe in integrative, collaborative care. We regularly work alongside pediatricians, lactation consultants, midwives, and other healthcare providers to ensure a well-rounded approach to newborn health.
Parents no longer have to choose between traditional medicine and holistic care—they can have both. By working together, we can provide the best care possible for every baby.
Is Newborn Chiropractic Right for Your Baby?
If you’re curious about how chiropractic care can support your baby’s health, I’d love to answer your questions and guide you through the process. Every newborn deserves the chance to thrive, heal, and grow in the best way possible.
Washington Park Chiropractic is the only practice in Denver, Colorado specializing in Sports Chiropractic, Prenatal Chiropractic and Pediatric Chiropractic. Our Doctors are expert certified and trained in Sports, Pediatrics and Prenatal Care including massage, acupuncture, Webster Technique, Graston Technique, Laser, K-Laser, Kinesiology Tape, RockTape and Normatec. Stay connected with me on Instagram: @washparkchiro or @drlisagoodman