By Dr. Jonathon Harrison, DC
Pediatric and family chiropractor at New Directions Chiropractic in Allen, TX. Member, International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. Updated October 2026.
If you've ever walked the floor at 2 a.m. with a baby who can't be soothed, you know how helpless it can feel. It's hard to watch your little one cry and not know how to help.
If that's you right now, take a breath. Persistent crying is exhausting, and it doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong. You deserve support, too.
Colic is a common term used to describe frequent, prolonged crying in an otherwise healthy infant. It can be frustrating for parents because there isn't always an obvious reason for the crying, and no single solution works for every baby.
Colic generally refers to repeated episodes of intense crying or fussiness in an otherwise healthy, well-fed baby. The crying may seem to come out of nowhere, and your baby may be difficult to soothe even when you've checked the usual things, like hunger, a wet diaper, and tiredness.
The exact cause of colic isn't fully understood. Researchers have explored several possible explanations, including differences in digestive function, feeding-related discomfort, and how infants respond to stimulation.
Colic is often described using the "Rule of 3s": crying for more than three hours a day, on more than three days a week, for three weeks or longer. This is a traditional description, not a diagnostic test. Your pediatrician can help determine whether your baby's symptoms fit colic or whether another explanation needs to be considered.
Colic often begins in the first few weeks of life, may be most intense around six weeks, and commonly improves by three to four months of age.
Although crying is a normal part of infancy, persistent or unusual crying deserves attention. It's important not to assume that crying is colic without considering other possible causes.
Contact your pediatrician promptly if your baby has persistent crying, feeding difficulties, repeated vomiting, blood in the stool, poor weight gain, or a swollen or unusually firm abdomen.
Seek care right away
Seek immediate medical evaluation if your baby is younger than three months and has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. Seek emergency care if your baby has difficulty breathing, is difficult to wake, appears limp, has a seizure, or seems seriously ill.
When in doubt, contact your pediatrician or seek urgent medical advice. If your baby's crying is overwhelming, place your baby safely on their back in an empty crib and step away briefly to collect yourself. Never shake a baby.
Parents sometimes ask whether chiropractic care may be an option when their baby is crying frequently or seems uncomfortable.
Research has examined spinal manipulation for excessive crying in infants, but the evidence remains uncertain. Chiropractic care has not been established as an effective treatment for colic, and there is not enough high-quality evidence to conclude that infant spinal manipulation reliably reduces colic symptoms.
Chiropractic care should not replace a pediatric evaluation, feeding support, or other medical care when these are needed. If you're considering chiropractic care for your baby, discuss the persistent crying with your pediatrician first so potential medical causes can be evaluated.
At New Directions Chiropractic, we believe parents should have clear information, understand the limitations of available evidence, and feel comfortable asking questions before deciding whether any care is appropriate for their child.
Infants require an approach that is appropriate for their age and individual needs. An appointment may begin with a discussion of your baby's health history, birth history, feeding, growth, and the pattern of crying.
Depending on the circumstances, a chiropractor may assess relevant musculoskeletal concerns, such as movement or neck mobility. This type of assessment cannot, by itself, determine that spinal findings are the cause of colic.
Before any procedure is considered, parents should receive an explanation of the proposed care, its intended purpose, the uncertainties and potential risks, and any reasonable alternatives. Parents should have the opportunity to ask questions and make an informed decision without pressure.
If a baby's symptoms suggest a medical concern, appropriate medical evaluation takes priority.
Research into spinal manipulation for infant colic has produced mixed results, and important limitations remain.
A 1999 randomized trial by Wiberg, Nordsteen, and Nilsson, published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, compared chiropractic treatment with dimethicone in infants with colic. The study reported reductions in crying time in both groups. However, the study was small, and parents knew which treatment their babies received.
That matters because parents who know which treatment their child receives may report symptoms differently, even when they are doing their best to be accurate.
A Cochrane systematic review examined trials of manipulative therapies for infantile colic and concluded that the available evidence was insufficient to establish whether these therapies were effective or safe. The review also found that the evidence was less convincing when studies at greater risk of bias were excluded.
Colic commonly improves as babies grow, which makes it difficult to know whether a change in crying is due to a treatment or the natural course of the condition.
The most responsible conclusion is that research has explored this question, but the evidence does not establish chiropractic care as an effective treatment for colic. More rigorous research is needed, particularly research that can better evaluate both benefits and potential harms.
There isn't one soothing technique that works for every baby. You can try a few approaches and see what seems to help your little one.
For sleep, always place your baby on their back on a firm, flat sleep surface without pillows, loose blankets, or other soft items. Never leave a baby sleeping unattended on a couch, adult bed, or pillow.
Avoid changing formula, eliminating foods from a breastfeeding parent's diet, or giving medicines, herbal remedies, or supplements for colic without discussing the plan with your pediatrician.
No. Research has investigated spinal manipulation for infant crying, but the available evidence is insufficient to establish chiropractic care as an effective treatment for colic.
The available research does not establish the safety of infant spinal manipulation with enough certainty to make a blanket assurance. If you're considering it, discuss the potential benefits, uncertainties, risks, and alternatives with your pediatrician and the provider before deciding how to proceed.
Our practice's minimum age and the types of care offered should be confirmed directly with our office. Any decision about an infant's care depends on the child's individual circumstances and appropriate clinical assessment. Call us at 214-215-4119 with any questions.
There is no reliable evidence that chiropractic care will stop colic crying, and no outcome can be promised. Persistent crying should be discussed with your pediatrician.
Yes. Your pediatrician is an important part of your baby's care, especially when crying is persistent, unusual, or accompanied by other symptoms. Chiropractic care should never delay medical evaluation or replace necessary medical treatment.
The early months with a baby can be wonderful, exhausting, and sometimes overwhelming—all at once. If your baby has been crying frequently, it's understandable to want answers and support.
Start by talking with your pediatrician about what you're seeing and what options are appropriate for your baby. If you have questions about musculoskeletal concerns or the services offered at New Directions Chiropractic in Allen, we're happy to explain our approach and help you understand what our care can and cannot offer.
Call or message New Directions Chiropractic to learn more. We welcome questions from parents in Allen, McKinney, and the surrounding North Dallas area.
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