Case Study: Gentle Chiropractic Care for a 12-Week-Old with Discomfort, Colic & Feeding Challenges

Relief for Baby. Peace of Mind for Parents.

At just 12 weeks old, a baby girl came to Bear Paw Chiropractic showing signs of significant discomfort—unable to lay flat without crying, resisting head movement, and experiencing ongoing sleep and digestion issues that left her (and her parents) exhausted. Despite prior care from physical therapists and lactation consultants, she was still struggling.

Her story is one many parents can relate to: a newborn who seems uncomfortable in their own body—with tightness, tension, and trouble finding rest. Here's how chiropractic care offered relief when nothing else had.

Patient Overview: What Brought Her In

At the time of her first visit, this 12-week-old baby girl was experiencing:

• Crying and visible discomfort when laying flat or being seated upright
• Difficulty turning her head—especially when placed on her right side
• A clear preference for looking left, which made feeding from the left breast nearly impossible
• Constantly curled toes, gassiness, colic, and constipation
• Inability to sleep for longer than 1 hour at a time

Her parents had already pursued several interventions:

• A lip and tongue tie revision
• Multiple sessions with a pediatric physical therapist
• Lactation consultations for feeding issues

Still, nothing seemed to ease her discomfort or improve her symptoms.

What Her Mother Shared

As many parents do, this mom came in tuned in to her daughter’s distress. She noted:

• Her baby became stiff and fussy when laid on her right side
• There was a strong preference for turning left and avoiding the right
• The baby’s toes were curled almost constantly, suggesting muscular or nervous system involvement
• Sleep was broken and shallow, with colicky episodes, gassiness, and constipation making rest nearly impossible

Day 1: First Visit, First Signs of Relief

A Gentle Start to a Big Transformation

During her first visit to Bear Paw Chiropractic, this little one underwent a gentle, thorough evaluation to uncover the root causes of her discomfort. Our goal wasn’t just to soothe the symptoms—but to understand where her body was holding tension and why she was struggling to settle, feed, and rest.

What We Found During the Initial Exam

Dr. Harrell assessed the baby’s nervous system, spinal alignment, and muscle tone with a light, responsive touch—just enough to observe how her body was reacting and what areas needed support.

• Reflexes were normal, including grip and Babinski—an encouraging sign of healthy neurological function.
• Head positioning revealed right lateral flexion with left rotation: meaning she was stuck looking left and resisted turning right, which aligned with her feeding challenges.
• Muscle spasms and reduced neck mobility confirmed physical discomfort and tension.
• Multiple subluxations (misalignments) were identified in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine—specifically:
  C1, C3, C4, T1, T4, T6, T8, T9, T11, L1, L3, L5, and S1.

Our Gentle, Targeted Treatment Plan

To support this baby’s comfort and realignment, Dr. Harrell used a blend of hands-on therapies designed specifically for infant care:

• Craniosacral Therapy: Gentle release work to relieve pressure and tension around the head and neck
• Trigger Point Massage: Focused on releasing tension around the neck and spine
• Activator Adjustments: A low-force, precise chiropractic technique used to correct subluxations without any manual twisting or cracking

Immediate Response: Small Wins, Big Hope

After just one session, this baby showed clear signs of improvement:

• She sat calmly on Dr. Harrell’s lap with no signs of distress
• Her tightly curled toes—which had remained that way since birth—relaxed and extended for the first time
• Her mother reported a visible shift in her nervous system tone and comfort

Next Step: A follow-up appointment was scheduled for the very next day to continue building on the early progress.

Day 2: Subtle Shifts, Steady Progress

Building on Day 1 Relief with Targeted Adjustments

When the baby returned for her second visit, her mother had already noticed encouraging signs that her daughter’s body was beginning to unwind. While there was still work to do, the early results were clear: less tension, more calm, and the beginning of longer rest stretches.

Mom’s Observations After Just One Session

Her mother shared several promising updates:

• Noticeable decrease in nervous system tension: her baby appeared more relaxed overall
  Toes remained relaxed, no longer in their previously constant curled position
• Less discomfort when sitting up or moving, though a bit of tightness remained in the right leg
• Slight improvement in sleep, with stretches extending to nearly 2 hours at a time
• No bowel movement yet, but digestive changes were expected to take a little more time

Treatment Focus: Fine-Tuning the Care Plan

With the initial restrictions beginning to release, Dr. Harrell focused on deeper muscular and spinal support:

• Trigger Point Work: Targeted the right hip, where some residual tenderness and tightness remained
• Activator Adjustments: Addressed remaining subluxations in the cervical and thoracic spine, ensuring spinal alignment continued to improve

Post-Treatment Outcome: Continued Improvements

After this session, the baby’s body showed even more signs of softening:

• Lower distress levels during and after movement
• Increased ease in positioning and transitions
• Slightly improved sleep duration, showing momentum in the right direction

While her sleep and digestion weren’t yet ideal, these small but meaningful shifts indicated that her body was beginning to regulate—a strong signal that her nervous system was responding positively to care.

Visit 3: The Turning Point

Better Sleep, Balanced Movement, and a Calmer Baby

By the third visit—just four days after her initial appointment—this little one experienced a major breakthrough. The kind every parent hopes for when their child is in discomfort: deep, restful sleep, improved digestion, and a body finally starting to move with ease.

A Mother’s Joy: Major Milestones Noticed at Home

Her mom reported transformative progress:

• 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep—the longest stretch the baby had ever experienced
• Regular bowel movements, suggesting improved nervous system regulation and digestive function
• Balanced head positioning, with no longer a strong preference for one side
• A more relaxed, even tone throughout her body, signaling reduced muscular and neurological tension

What Dr. Harrell Noticed in Clinic

These observations were confirmed in-office with a hands-on evaluation:

• Even movement in the head and neck—more freedom in both directions
• Less tension and no discomfort when gently palpating the cervical spine
• Improved symmetry and balance, indicating progress in resolving earlier subluxations

Treatment Approach: Protecting the Progress

To maintain and build on these improvements, Dr. Harrell continued with:

• Gentle, targeted adjustments to the spine: focused on maintaining alignment and supporting the nervous system
• No additional techniques were needed: just precise follow-through to hold the gains

This visit marked a pivotal moment. What began as a rigid, restless baby just days earlier was now transforming into a calmer, more comfortable infant—sleeping better, feeding better, and thriving more each day.

Visits 4 & 5: From Relief to Rhythm

A Calmer Baby. A Clearer Path Forward.

As care continued, the baby’s progress stabilized beautifully. What began as a series of concerns—from sleep struggles to physical discomfort—had now become a story of calm, comfort, and new possibilities for both baby and mom.

Clinical Observations: Signs of Sustained Progress

During Visits 4 and 5, Dr. Harrell noted continued improvements:

• Even, unrestricted head movement—with full range and no resistance
• No tenderness in the cervical spine, even with gentle palpation
• A stable, calm nervous system, with no signs of distress or discomfort
  Each visit confirmed that her earlier gains weren’t just temporary—they were holding strong.

Care Plan Update: Easing Into a New Rhythm

With consistent progress and a more regulated nervous system, it was time to adjust the care frequency:

• Regular spinal adjustments continued to support spinal alignment and maintain momentum
• Care frequency shifted from twice a week to once a week after Visit 5—an exciting milestone for both baby and family

This transition marked more than just a change in schedule—it reflected confidence in the body’s growing ability to self-regulate, rest, and move freely.

Final Outcome & Lasting Results

A Comfortable Baby. A Reassured Family. A Healthy Start.

After just five visits, this 12-week-old baby girl experienced a complete transformation. What began as extreme discomfort—crying during movement, trouble feeding, tense toes, poor sleep, and colic—shifted into a state of calm, rest, and ease.

Through gentle, targeted chiropractic care, her nervous system began to regulate, her body softened, and her ability to sleep and digest improved—offering her family much-needed relief and peace of mind.

Key Takeaways: Why This Approach Worked

• Targeted Chiropractic Adjustments: Addressed subluxations in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, restoring mobility and reducing discomfort
• Craniosacral Therapy & Trigger Point Massage: Relieved muscular tension and supported nervous system regulation
• Sleep, Digestion & Movement All Improved: Proof that when the nervous system is supported, everything else starts to fall into place

By Visit 5, This Baby Had...

• Full range of motion in the neck with no signs of tenderness
• Relaxed toes and muscles—no more constant tension
• Sleep stretches lasting 7+ hours
• Noticeable improvements in bowel movements and feeding
• A calmer, happier demeanor overall

With progress holding steady, the care plan shifted from twice weekly to once weekly—marking a new chapter of maintenance and monitoring for long-term development.

What’s Next: Ongoing Support for Continued Growth

• Weekly care to maintain alignment and nervous system balance
• Close monitoring of developmental milestones like rolling and head control
• Optional support from physical therapy and lactation specialists as needed

This case highlights the incredible potential of early chiropractic intervention in supporting infant comfort, development, and regulation—especially in babies who may have experienced birth-related tension or trauma.

Dr. Dawn Harrell’s Closing Thoughts

"When babies are uncomfortable, they can’t tell us with words—but their bodies speak loud and clear. This case is a powerful reminder that even our tiniest patients can hold tension from birth that impacts their ability to sleep, feed, and grow. Through gentle, intentional care, we help their bodies find ease again—so they can thrive from the very start."
- Dr. Dawn Harrell, Bear Paw Chiropractic