Gentle Treatment For Healthy Newborn Babies With Somatic Dysfunction

Atlas Spinal Care, a head and neck clinic in Upland, CA, has recently made a call for mothers to have their newborn babies checked for somatic dysfunction. A recent research study published by U.S. National Library of Medicine found evidence of somatic dysfunction in over 90% of healthy newborns that were examined. The study also suggests that corrections to the upper cervical spine in healthy newborns can decrease complications associated with somatic dysfunction and decrease hospital length of stay.

“Clinicians can apply as much as 69N or 15.5 lbs of pressure on a baby during a difficult delivery,” says Dr. Jameson Wong, a cervical spine specialist. “With newborns we can restore proper structural position of the head and neck through a gentle and precise correction.”

Somatic dysfunction occurs when some portion of the somatic system, be it cranial, myofascial, or arthrodial is injured or damaged, causing it to function improperly. The published findings mentioned above, along with personal experience by Dr. Wong, have caused concern throughout the Atlas Spinal Care team, and they are reaching out to parents who may have infants suffering from this condition.

Among the many issues documented by the team, which could cause somatic dysfunction, they explain that the upper cervical spine takes a lot of movement and tension during labor, and therefore prolonged bouts of labor can cause damage to the head and spine of the baby. Signs of this damage include reduced range of motion, issues with nursing, and even colic in an otherwise healthy newborn. They explain: "A misalignment of the Atlas, the top bone in the neck (the most likely bone to misalign during the birth process) has been linked to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, colic, ear infections, acid reflux and many other neurological conditions related to brainstem dysfunction and accompanying symptoms."

To help babies with this condition, the team at Atlas Spinal Care explains that aside from conventional treatment, the somatic dysfunction can be corrected by someone like Dr. Jameson Wong who specializes in the correction of the head and neck. Those who are interested in learning more about the condition and treatments available are invited to call the clinic directly, or visit their website for details.