More than most pediatricians will tell you. Reflux is typically treated as a stomach problem — too much acid, a weak esophageal sphincter, an immature digestive system. And while those things are real, they don't explain why some babies reflux constantly while others don't, or why reflux persists long past the age when it "should" resolve. The missing piece is almost always the nervous system. The vagus nerve — which controls digestion, stomach acid production, and the muscles that keep food down — runs directly through the upper cervical spine. When there's tension or interference in that area, the entire digestive process gets disrupted from the top down. Chiropractic care works to restore that communication so the gut can actually function the way it was designed to.

Absolutely — and this is one of the most common situations we see. Reflux medication can reduce the burn, but it doesn't address why the digestive system isn't functioning properly in the first place. Many families come to us after months on medication with a baby who is still uncomfortable, still arching, still not sleeping well, still struggling to feed. When we remove the neurological interference affecting vagal tone and digestive function, families often find they're able to reduce or eliminate medication over time because the underlying issue is finally being addressed. We always encourage families to work with their pediatrician on any medication changes — but we love being part of that conversation.

It's one of the first questions we ask. The birth process — even an uncomplicated vaginal delivery — places significant mechanical stress on a newborn's upper cervical spine. Interventions like vacuum extraction, forceps, a very fast delivery, or a C-section can intensify that stress considerably. The upper cervical spine is exactly where the vagus nerve exits, and tension in that region directly impacts the nerve signals controlling digestion and the esophageal sphincter. A baby who was born with that tension already present may struggle with reflux from day one not because their gut is broken, but because their nervous system never got a chance to start from a calm baseline. Birth history matters enormously, and it's always part of how we assess an infant.

Almost certainly. Back arching in reflux babies is often written off as just a reflex response to the burning sensation — and that's part of it. But persistent arching, rigidity, and difficulty being held or positioned comfortably are also classic signs of nervous system dysregulation and upper cervical tension. These babies aren't just reacting to acid — their whole system is wound up and uncomfortable. When we address the tension in the spine and nervous system, parents often notice the arching decreases, the baby becomes easier to hold and settle, and feeding becomes noticeably more relaxed. The change in a baby's body when the nervous system starts to release is something parents describe as their child finally being able to just... breathe.

Extremely gentle — parents are often amazed by how little pressure is involved. For infants, we use only light hand pressure, about the same amount you'd use to check an avocado for ripeness. No cracking, no twisting, no forceful movements of any kind. At the first visit we'll talk through your baby's full history — pregnancy, birth, feeding, symptoms — and assess their spine and nervous system carefully before we do anything else. Most babies are calm or even asleep by the time the adjustment is done. In the 24 to 48 hours after the first visit, we'll ask you to watch for changes in feeding, sleeping, and digestion — those early windows often give us our first signs that the nervous system is starting to respond.