Better sleep
Babies who have trouble sleeping are often not fussy without reason — they are uncomfortable. Relieving
added stress from a baby's neck or back may help them rest more peacefully.
Pediatric chiropractic & craniosacral care
Pediatric Chiropractic and Craniosacral Care in New York City
Gentle, hands-on care for babies, toddlers, and young children is common in our Midtown Manhattan office — and very different from what most people picture when they think of visiting a chiropractor. There are no cracking noises, no abrupt twists, and no forceful movements.
Dr. Alex Kaminsky, D.C. · Certified Craniosacral Therapist · over 25 years of experience
Craniosacral therapy, gentle chiropractic, and supportive techniques tailored to each child — in a calm, private treatment room at 36 East 36th Street, New York, NY 10016.
Featherlight touch
A delicate one or two-finger pressure — about what you would use to test the ripeness of an avocado.
Newborns to school age
Care for the tiniest newborns through toddlers and school-aged children.
Nervous-system focus
Supports the body's own recuperative powers through the central nervous system.
Drug-free, non-invasive
Complementary care that works without drugs or surgery and supports, not replaces, medical care.
Overview
Can babies and toddlers receive craniosacral and chiropractic care?
Yes. Pediatric craniosacral care is a gentle and safe approach to the musculoskeletal system — including the bones, muscles, tendons, cartilage, and ligaments — for children of all ages, including the tiniest of newborn babies. Unlike the adult chiropractic many people imagine, this care does not involve cracking noises, abrupt twists, or forceful movements. Often the work is no more than a gentle contact or light massage.
The pressure applied for a child is a delicate one or two-finger method, similar to what you might use to test the ripeness of an avocado, because the bones of children are soft and not fully formed. Craniosacral therapy for an infant is never forceful or abrupt, and your baby most likely will not even notice that they are receiving care at all.
Why does this matter so early? Because the first subluxations commonly occur during the birthing process itself. A subluxation is a stress- or trauma-induced impairment to the spine. For most children, addressing it can help correct the damaging effects of spinal subluxations — enabling the body to recover from numerous ailments and conditions naturally, using the recuperative powers of the central nervous system, and without drugs or surgery.
A newborn's spine increases by roughly 50% in length by age one, reflecting how much a newborn and their central nervous system grow in the first year of life. Because this rapid growth coordinates so many other changes in a child's body, the health of the spine and nervous system is especially important for babies and toddlers. Any subluxation or misalignment of a newborn's spine can affect how the central nervous system functions, and may give rise to a range of concerns within that first year and beyond if left unaddressed.
Please note: This care is gentle, non-invasive, and complementary. It is not a cure and results are not guaranteed. Subluxation symptoms can overlap with the symptoms of other conditions, so parents should be cautious about self-diagnosing. Always consult your pediatrician for diagnosis and for any warning signs — such as fever, persistent vomiting, breathing difficulty, refusal to feed, or unusual lethargy in an infant.
The effect of subluxations on babies and toddlers
Chiropractic's origin is rooted in "the science of healing without drugs," and in the understanding that many illnesses and ailments are linked to subluxations of the vertebrae. A subluxation occurs when a trauma or stressor upon a vertebra bruises or slightly moves it out of position, causing irritation or inflammation of the nerves within the spine. When this happens, spinal nerves protruding from between the vertebrae can malfunction and interfere with the signals traveling within the central nervous system between the brain and the body.
When the central nervous system in babies and toddlers is not communicating effectively, that interference may be associated with colic, irritability, poor sleep, difficulty suckling and breastfeeding, digestion issues, developmental delays, behavioral problems, asthma, difficulty concentrating, low energy, headaches, and more. Subluxations can even exist without pain, yet still disturb nerve communication and the functioning of the central nervous system.
The goal of pediatric care is to help realign the spine and restore communication and the recuperative powers of the central nervous system. Regular checkups can help identify potential spinal issues, support correction early in life, and may help avoid many of the health complaints seen later in teens and adults.
How do babies and toddlers get subluxations?
Subluxations are common in infants and children because tiny shifts in a child's musculoskeletal system are produced by routine daily activities like crawling, running, jumping, or simply playing.
Even at birth — whether vaginal or by c-section — it is not uncommon for trauma to occur in a newborn's spine, something called Traumatic Birth Syndrome (TBS). Birth trauma can go entirely undetected, yet later surface as illnesses, ailments, or behavioral issues. Spinal misalignments from birth trauma can be associated with feeding problems as well as digestion difficulties, fussiness, and sleeping problems.
For example, during a natural vaginal birth, approximately 60 to 90 pounds of force can bear down on a baby's neck and may slightly misalign the spine. In one research study, 95% of 1,250 infants had cervical (neck) strain from birthing. Other research of over 1,000 newborns within five days postpartum concluded that about 90% experienced some measure of birth trauma, with roughly:
- 10% of the babies having perfect, properly mobile skulls;
- 10% having severe trauma to the head; and
- 80% having patterns of strain detectable in the cranial mechanism.
Babies and toddlers are susceptible to a wide array of stressors that can produce subluxations, which may strain or inflame other body systems (such as the urinary and respiratory systems) and affect the function of otherwise healthy tissue. The most common origins of subluxation-producing stressors come from thoughts, traumas, and toxins:
- Thoughts (emotional): medical testing, time in the hospital or NICU, stress on the mother and family, and similar experiences.
- Traumas (physical): in-utero constraint, birth trauma, car seats, falls, injuries, baby carriers, and the like.
- Toxins (chemical): antibiotics, soaps, vaccines, lotions, formula, cleaning products, and other chemical exposures.
Even once children reach school age, excessive time spent sitting and learning in a classroom can put pressure on a maturing spine; research with school-aged children has documented how learning workstations contribute to musculoskeletal pain. Common indicators of subluxations in school-aged children include:
- Lethargy and fatigue
- Poor mood
- Poor concentration and a tendency to be easily distracted
- A lowered immune system and heightened allergies
- Complaints of headaches or back pain
- Restricted spinal movement and poor posture
- Sleep issues
Subluxations occurring in infancy and early childhood are not simply outgrown. In fact, these underlying nervous-system blockages can worsen with age, because maturing bodies are in constant change.
What care may support
Benefits associated with gentle pediatric care
A baby or toddler's immune system is not fully functional in their early years. By soothing the musculoskeletal system and supporting nervous-system function, gentle care may help the body cope with concerns that are common in childhood. The areas below reflect what families often hope to support — they are not promises of a specific outcome.
Sessions are quiet, comfortable, and tailored to each child.
Immune & digestive support
By soothing the musculoskeletal system, gentle care has been associated with supporting digestive and
immune health — relevant to concerns such as constipation, chronic ear infections and earaches, colic and
acid reflux, fussiness, difficulty breathing, slow recovery from illness, and asthma and allergies.
Improved behavior
Stress and anxiety affect children emotionally and physically and can cause them to act out. Releasing
tension may help improve a child's mood, comfort, and well-being — and better sleep often supports a more
relaxed attitude toward learning and play.
Nervous-system function
The spinal cord and brain form the central nervous system, which influences learning, speech, movement,
sight, hearing, growth, and development. Since infancy is the time of greatest brain development,
supporting a healthy, well-functioning nerve system is especially valuable.
Nervous-system and brain development, in more detail
Consider ear infections, which are often nervous-system related. Recurring ear infections can indicate that a child's Eustachian tubes are not draining properly; fluid building up in these tubes — which lead from the inner ear to the throat — can attract bacteria and cause infection. A common origin of ear infections is subluxations in a child's neck. By identifying such a subluxation and helping to correct the misalignment, the aim is to support the immune system and help the ears and sinuses drain properly. This is one example of how regular pediatric adjustments may support both nervous-system and immune function.
Pediatric adjustments are also intended to help clear neural pathways and promote neurological development and neuroplasticity — the nervous system's ability to learn and to strengthen, change, and rewire important neural connections. Spinal misalignments in children can hinder learning and may be associated with difficulties and disorders such as ADHD, speech delays, and ADD. Reducing pressure on the spine is intended to support increased brain function and neuroplasticity potential, which families often hope will translate into better concentration, sharper focus, and a greater attention span. In short, gentle pediatric care aims to reduce pressure on the bones and joints of the spine to support a child's neural brain development.
The benefits families pursue with gentle care for babies, toddlers, and young children extend to a number of specific concerns, including: ear infections, digestive issues, allergies, colic, asthma, sleep issues, sports injuries, headaches, concentration and focus issues, irritable baby syndrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and Asperger's syndrome, autism, and autism spectrum disorders.
Individual results vary, and gentle pediatric care does not cure conditions or replace medical diagnosis and treatment. The conditions named above describe areas families often hope to support; they are not guarantees of any outcome. For any acute illness, infection, fever, breathing concern, or developmental red flag, please see your pediatrician or another physician promptly.
A summarized example
How the approach works — babies and toddlers
It is important to understand that, as a Craniosacral Therapist, Dr. Kaminsky does not directly treat ailments, disorders, or adverse health conditions. Instead, the aim is to enable your child's body to respond to these concerns naturally. He assesses your child's spine for subluxations and misalignments that may impair nervous-system function and, in turn, affect overall body function. By identifying and helping to remove subluxation interference of the spine, the hope is that ailments, disorders, and adverse health conditions can improve naturally through the recuperative powers of the central nervous system — without drugs or surgery.
The atlas vertebra and feeding
For instance, when a baby has a feeding or latching problem, it is fairly common to find the Atlas Vertebra — a small bone at the top of the cervical spine, or neck — misaligned. The ring-shaped Atlas Vertebra connects to the occipital bone to support the base of the skull, and is the point where about half of the head's forward and backward range of motion originates. Trauma placed upon the neck and cranium during the birthing process can cause the Atlas Vertebra to slip out of alignment. This is often the case when a baby strongly favors, or is only able to turn their head to, one side.
When the neural pathways between the Atlas Vertebra and the jaw are disrupted, a baby may show difficulty with jaw function for latching and feeding. Minor, gentle adjustments can help to realign the Atlas Vertebra, with the goal of allowing the baby to latch and feed more easily.
When is the right time to start?
Many parents choose to have their baby receive care as soon as possible after birth, while others wait — there is no single right or wrong answer, and your comfort level matters. However, if you observe symptoms that seem to have no underlying cause, be mindful of the nature of a subluxation. Even school-aged children may experience ailments or other issues stemming from a still-undetected "birth" subluxation.
Regular, gentle pediatric care is intended to help your baby or toddler's spine and brain develop along the most optimal path possible. By keeping your child's spine and central nervous system healthy and functioning well, the aim is to provide an ideal environment for their brain's growth and development. If you're concerned about your baby, toddler, or young child's health or well-being, don't hesitate to call the office at 212-328-1180.
Related care
Explore related pages to understand how gentle, hands-on methods fit together for your child:
- Chiropractic care — an overview of Dr. Kaminsky's soft, non-cracking approach for all ages.
- Pediatric craniosacral therapy — gentle care across child developmental milestones.
- Craniosacral therapy — the light-touch foundation of this work.
- Colic and reflux — common infant concerns families ask about.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions about pediatric care
Is chiropractic care safe for babies and toddlers?
Pediatric care in this practice is gentle and non-invasive. There are no cracking noises, abrupt twists, or forceful movements. The pressure used for a child is a delicate one or two-finger touch, similar to the pressure you would use to test the ripeness of an avocado, because the bones of children are soft and not fully formed. Most infants do not even notice that they are receiving care. Care is complementary to, and does not replace, your pediatrician's diagnosis and treatment.
Why would a newborn or infant need chiropractic care?
Even at birth, whether vaginal or by c-section, trauma can occur in a newborn's spine, sometimes called Traumatic Birth Syndrome. A subluxation is a stress- or trauma-induced impairment to the spine that can interfere with nerve communication between the brain and body. Gentle care aims to identify and address these misalignments so the body's own recuperative powers can work without drugs or surgery.
How do babies and toddlers get subluxations?
Subluxations are common because tiny shifts in a child's musculoskeletal system happen during routine activities such as crawling, running, jumping, and playing. They can also arise from the birthing process itself, and from stressors grouped as thoughts (emotional), traumas (physical), and toxins (chemical). Even school-aged children can develop them, for example from long hours sitting at learning workstations.
What conditions can pediatric care help with?
Because subluxation symptoms can overlap with other issues, parents should avoid self-diagnosing. Dr. Kaminsky does not directly treat ailments; he assesses the spine for subluxations and misalignments that may impair nervous-system function, so the body can respond naturally. Concerns associated with this care include colic, reflux, ear infections, digestive issues, sleep problems, feeding and latching difficulties, fussiness, and concentration. Always see your physician for diagnosis and warning signs.
When is the right time to start care for my child?
Some parents choose care from the moment of birth, while others wait. There is no single right answer; it depends on your comfort level. If you notice symptoms that seem to have no underlying cause, keep the nature of a subluxation in mind, and consult your pediatrician. You can call the office at 212-328-1180 to discuss your child's situation.
Schedule a visit
Ready to talk about your child's care?
Call or send a request and the office will follow up about availability and next steps. Care is gentle, non-invasive, and complementary to your pediatrician — never a replacement for medical diagnosis or treatment.