If you’ve found yourself here, you may be in the thick of those long stretches of crying that don’t seem to end, no matter what you try. You’ve been rocking, feeding, bouncing, burping… and still, the tears keep coming. We get it. It tugs at your heart and leaves you wondering what’s wrong. If that’s your reality, you’re not alone. Families throughout Rochester and Oakland County face similar challenges, and many of them come to us seeking answers and relief.
For parents looking for information, colic typically appears in infants under 3–4 months old and is often defined by the “rule of threes”: crying for more than three hours a day, at least three days a week, for three or more weeks. These crying spells often start around two weeks of age. Babies may clench their fists, arch their backs, turn red in the face, or seem tense and uncomfortable even after being fed or changed.
The cause of colic isn’t always simple. Most doctors just say, “They’ll grow out of it.” While digestive immaturity is thought to be one of the possible causes, gas, nervous system overstimulation, birth-related tension or injury, or feeding challenges may all play a role. (Guyton & Hall, 2021). Whatever the root, the outcome is the same. An unsettled baby and stressed parents. We’re here to help.
At Delta Chiropractic, we know your baby’s body was designed to function beautifully. But sometimes, especially during birth, there can be trauma to the spine and nervous system that impacts digestion, sleep, and comfort. Chiropractic care helps restore balance where needed, supporting your baby’s natural ability to regulate and calm. Research suggests chiropractic adjustments may help reduce crying time and improve sleep for infants with colic (Alcantara, Ohm, & Kunz, 2011).
Many parents are relieved to hear that infant chiropractic care is extremely gentle. There are no “cracks” or forceful movements. Instead, we use light, precise pressure (no more than you’d use to check the ripeness of a tomato). Many babies relax or even drift off to sleep during their adjustments. Not always the case with a highly colicky baby, but this is more common than not.
$99 New Patient Special
New patient special includes Consultation, Exam, X-Rays & Doctors report of findings
How Our Care Plan Works
1. Relief
Finding the root cause of your problem is the fastest and most effective way to get relief and see lasting results. We all know that swallowing hand fulls of pills is not the answer. True relief comes from the removal of the cause of your problem.
2. Corrective
In order to keep your symptoms from returning and to make sure we can get you to optimal health, a plan of correction must be laid out and executed. Corrective care ensures that you not only feel your best but have a plan to be your best as well.
3. Wellness
The only way to coast is downhill. Once we reach our corrective goals we don’t want to stop there. We ultimately want to have the habits in place to keep us at our best. A wellness plan ensures that we are actively working to achieve our life long health goals.
How We Treat Babies with Colic In Rochester Hills, MI
At Delta Chiropractic, we understand how heavy it feels to watch your baby cry and not know how to help. We’ve walked with families in Rochester Hills, Oakland County, and beyond who felt just like you—and we’ve seen the relief that comes when babies begin to settle, feed, and rest more peacefully.
If your gut tells you something is off, trust that instinct. You don’t have to go through this season alone. We’re here with care that supports your baby’s body and brings more calm to your home.
Comprehensive Consultation and Exam
Even the smoothest birth can place pressure on a baby’s delicate spine and nervous system. The top of the neck and upper back are especially vulnerable. If you were to search for “KISS syndrome in a baby”. You’d find plenty of literature discussing how these areas under tension can interfere with how well your baby digests, sleeps, feeds, and self-soothes.
Subluxations are areas of misalignment or tension in the spine and its surrounding muscles that can irritate the nerves, causing discomfort. For infants, nerve stress may manifest differently from one baby to the next. However, colic symptoms are among the most common.
Your baby’s first visit to Delta Chiropractic is calm and baby-led. We start by listening to your birth story, feeding journey, and current concerns… Then we check your baby’s nervous system using a non-invasive infrared thermometer known as a Titron. It helps us identify significant areas of inflammation or irritation, allowing us to better care for your baby. Reflexes and muscle tone are also assessed. There’s no rushing or forcing. Everything moves at your baby’s pace.
We don’t label colic as a stand-alone diagnosis. Instead, we look at the bigger picture: feeding patterns, sleep rhythms, posture, crying behaviors, and how your baby responds to touch and movement. And we, of course, check for signs of spinal or muscular tension that may be contributing to the crying.
Colic isn’t something with an on/off switch. It’s usually a signal of more profound imbalance—often in the nervous system. By identifying and addressing it early, we can help your baby now and support healthier development in the long term.
Specific Chiropractic Care in Rochester Hills, MI
The spine protects the nervous system, which serves as the control center that regulates functions such as digestion, sleep, and stress responses. When the spine is under tension or stress, especially from birth, that control center may become overstimulated. This stress often shows up in babies as colic.
Gentle adjustments calm the nervous system and restore better communication between the brain and body. When that happens, digestion can improve, muscles relax, and sleep becomes easier—three key ingredients in easing colic.
Adjustments for babies use the lightest pressure—about the same amount to create a change in the color of your fingertip when touched. They’re incredibly gentle, and most babies either relax, smile, or sleep right through care. Sometimes babies are lying in a designated baby pillow, sometimes on a blanket on their stomach, and other times they are held by the doctor, mom, or dad. It depends on the situation and the baby’s comfort level at the time.
When your baby’s nervous system is free from interference, everything is better off, and the body tends to work more smoothly: digestion, sleep, immune resilience, and even developmental milestones. The introduction of chiropractic care early can build a healthy foundation and make a huge difference in how your child grows and thrives.
Nutritional and Lifestyle Guidance
We often check your baby’s jaw function, neck mobility, and reflexes related to oral motor function. If feeding is inefficient or painful, babies may swallow excess air, which can worsen gas and colic symptoms. When needed, we collaborate with local lactation consultants and pediatric dentists so you feel fully supported.
For breastfeeding mothers, removing common irritants like dairy and caffeine from their diet can be beneficial. For formula-fed babies, we encourage parents to explore gentler formula options that are less likely to irritate your baby’s digestive system.
Skin-to-skin contact, warm baths, babywearing, and gentle rhythmic motion can all be soothing. But more than anything, we remind parents: you don’t have to figure this out alone. Trust your instincts, and let us be part of your support team.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Babies with Colic in Rochester Hills, MI
Alleviation of Digestive Issues
Colic often shows up with gas, reflux, or irregular bowel movements. By easing tension in the spine and nervous system, chiropractic care promotes smoother digestion and reduced stomach discomfort.
Improved Sleep Patterns
Babies under nervous system stress often struggle to settle into deep sleep. Adjustments help activate the parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) system, which supports longer, more restorative stretches of rest.
Ensures Healthy Physical Development
Colic may be one of the first signals that something is off in a baby’s comfort or alignment. Addressing those imbalances early helps set the stage for balanced brain development, body symmetry, and coordinated movement.
Support for Breastfeeding
When jaw, neck, or shoulder tension eases, babies often latch and feed more comfortably—taking in less air and reducing a significant trigger of colic.
Enhanced Immune Function
A calm nervous system fosters a healthier immune response. While chiropractic doesn’t treat illness, it gives the body the best chance to adapt and stay resilient.
Check Out Our Location Near You
1136 S Rochester Rd Suite B, Rochester Hills, MI 48307
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a chiropractor help with colic?
Yes. While chiropractors don’t “treat colic,” many parents notice significant improvement after their baby begins care. Research has shown that infants receiving gentle adjustments experience reduced crying time and improved sleep.
What is the 3-3-3 rule for colic?
It’s a common term used to recognize colic: if your child is crying for 3 hours or more a day, 3 days or more a week, for 3 weeks or more, and they are an otherwise healthy baby. If your baby cries intensely and consistently, and doesn’t settle with typical comfort measures, colic may be the cause.
Can chiropractic care help with gas?
Yes. Adjustments relieve nerve stress that affects digestion, which often results in less trapped gas and more comfortable tummies. It’s pretty standard for babies to release a lot of gas during and immediately after an adjustment.
What aggravates colic?
Overstimulation, inefficient feeding, food sensitivities, digestive immaturity, and birth-related spinal stress can all contribute.
What is the best cure for colic?
There isn’t a single cure, but supportive chiropractic care, dietary guidance, and soothing routines often significantly reduce symptoms.
Can a misaligned spine cause gas?
Yes. Nerve interference in the spine can impact how digestion works. This can lead to gas and discomfort.
Can a chiropractor fix gut issues?
Chiropractic doesn’t “fix digestion,” but by supporting the nervous system, many babies experience easier digestion and less upset tummies.
What should parents avoid with colic?
Avoid frequent formula changes without guidance, overfeeding, or strict sleep training during episodes of colic. Follow your baby’s cues and lean on your support system.
What is the number one cause of colic?
There isn’t just one. Most experts agree it’s a mix of digestive immaturity, nervous system overload, and birth-related tension.
Why does colic get worse at night?
Babies tend to be more tired and overstimulated in the evenings. A regulated nervous system throughout the day can help reduce those nighttime flare-ups.
$99 New Patient Special
New patient special includes Consultation, Exam, X-Rays & Doctors report of findings