As a physical and craniosacral therapist who has worked with many colicky babies, I am compelled to respond to the story headlined “The colic conundrum” (Herald, April 6), which is awash in misinformation.
“We” do know a lot about colic, even if the author does not. There are many things that can cause upset in an infant’s young system that are treatable – including compression of the cranial bones. The cranial nerves regulate everything from eye-motor function to the parasympathetic (good rest and digestion) function of the heart and digestive tract.
The vagus nerve, Cranial Nerve X, in particular, exits the skull at its base – an area easily compressed during the birthing process. Osteopathic treatment (including craniosacral therapy), which is very gentle and effective, can easily treat these symptoms. I have treated not only many colicky, but also lethargic, babies over the years with good quick results and with no undesirable side effects.
Furthermore, a cranial compression or imbalance in the autonomic nervous system (sympathetic – fight-or-flight balanced with the parasympathetic – rest and digest) will follow a child through his or her life. The colic is a symptom of an imbalance and is best to be treated, not ridden out or ignored for that imbalance to become a foundation for health.
It is true that babies are not able to self-regulate their own nervous systems and are sensitive to and dependent on their environments – making them predisposed to problems if they are growing in a stressful environment. However, there are many untruths in the story, including the claim that homeopathy “is not proven to work,” that chiropractic care for infants is dangerous and that we “don’t have a clue about colic.”
In Durango, we are fortunate to have a couple of good osteopaths and a handful of excellent craniosacral therapists. It is upsetting to me that any parent struggling with a colicky infant be told of the hopelessness of their situation in a public forum like the paper.
Beth Austin
Durango
