Colic Baby Relief: How Tulsa Chiropractic Care Can Soothe Your Little One
If you’re a parent navigating sleepless nights with a colicky baby, you know the helpless feeling that comes with hearing your little one cry inconsolably. The endless fussiness, the tummy troubles, the exhaustion—it takes a toll on the entire family. You’ve tried everything: different feeding positions, various bottles, swaddling techniques, and still, your baby seems uncomfortable and in distress.
What if there was a gentle, natural approach that could help? At Free Spirit Chiropractic in Tulsa, we specialize in pediatric chiropractic care that supports your baby’s developing nervous system and helps ease the discomfort associated with colic and gas. Our doctors at Free Spirit Chiropractic —all have extensive training through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) and Pediatric Experience, specifically preparing them to work with infants experiencing colic, digestive challenges, and nervous system stress.
You’re not alone in this journey, and there is hope for relief—naturally and gently.
Understanding Colic and Gas in Babies
Colic is characterized by excessive crying and fussiness in an otherwise healthy infant, typically defined as crying for more than three hours a day, more than three days a week, for at least three weeks. The crying often occurs in the late afternoon or evening and can feel relentless for exhausted parents trying everything to soothe their little one.
Common symptoms of colic include:
Intense, inconsolable crying episodes
Clenched fists and tensed abdominal muscles
Arching of the back
Pulling legs up toward the belly
Difficulty passing gas
Restless sleep patterns
Flushed face during crying episodes
While the exact cause of colic isn’t fully understood, many factors contribute to infant discomfort. Gas is often a significant component—when babies have difficulty passing gas or experience trapped air in their digestive system, it creates painful pressure and distress. Other contributing factors may include an immature digestive system still learning to process milk, food sensitivities, overstimulation, or an imbalanced nervous system struggling to regulate the body’s responses.
Here’s what many parents don’t realize: the birth process itself—whether vaginal or cesarean—places significant physical stress on an infant’s delicate spine and nervous system. Compression, pulling, or twisting during delivery can create tension in the tiny muscles and joints, particularly around the neck and upper back. This tension can interfere with the nerves that control digestion, leading to the symptoms we associate with colic.
Your baby’s nervous system is the master coordinator of every function in their little body, including digestion. When there’s interference in this communication system, the body can’t regulate digestive processes as effectively, leading to gas, reflux, constipation, and discomfort.
How a Pediatric Chiropractor Can Help Relieve Gas
At Free Spirit Chiropractic, we approach infant colic and gas from a nervous system perspective. We don’t treat colic as a condition—instead, we support your baby’s body in functioning the way it was designed to, by removing interference from their nervous system.
Gentle pediatric adjustments work by:
Releasing tension in the spine and surrounding muscles created during birth
Improving nerve communication between the brain and digestive organs
Supporting the body’s natural ability to regulate digestive function
Helping babies relax and transition out of a stressed nervous system state
Promoting better coordination of the muscles involved in digestion
The adjustments we provide for infants are nothing like adult adjustments. We use incredibly gentle pressure—about the same amount of pressure you’d use to test the ripeness of a tomato. There’s no twisting, popping, or forceful movements. Instead, we use light fingertip pressure at specific points along your baby’s spine to release tension and restore proper nerve communication.
Many parents are amazed to see their babies relax during adjustments, often falling asleep on the table. This tells us their nervous system is shifting from a stressed, sympathetic state (fight or flight) to a calm, parasympathetic state (rest and digest)—exactly where they need to be for healthy digestion.
When your baby’s nervous system is clear and connected, their body can better coordinate the digestive process. The nerves that control the stomach, intestines, and sphincters can communicate effectively, allowing gas to move through more easily and reducing the painful buildup that causes so much distress.
We’ve seen countless babies in our Tulsa practice experience significant relief from colic symptoms through regular chiropractic care. Parents often report that their babies are passing gas more easily, having more regular bowel movements, experiencing less reflux, and most importantly—crying significantly less while feeling more relaxed!
Additional Benefits of Pediatric Chiropractic Care
While many families initially bring their babies to Free Spirit Chiropractic for colic relief, they quickly discover that supporting the nervous system creates benefits far beyond digestion.
Other improvements families often notice include:
Better sleep patterns: When babies are comfortable and their nervous systems are balanced, they sleep more soundly and wake less frequently
Reduced irritability: A calm, well-functioning nervous system means babies are generally more content and easier to soothe
Improved feeding: Whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, babies often latch better and feed more efficiently when tension is released from their neck and jaw
Enhanced immune function: A properly functioning nervous system supports immune system coordination, helping babies stay healthier
Better developmental milestone achievement: When babies are comfortable and their bodies are functioning optimally, they’re more eager to explore movement and reach milestones
Stronger parent-baby connection: When your baby is calm and comfortable, you can both relax and enjoy bonding time rather than constantly trying to soothe discomfort
The early months of life are when the most critical neural development occurs. Your baby’s brain is forming billions of connections, and their nervous system is learning to coordinate all of their body’s functions. Supporting this process with gentle chiropractic care gives your baby the best foundation for lifelong health and wellness.
At Free Spirit Chiropractic, we view pediatric care not as reactive treatment for problems, but as proactive support for optimal development. Starting healthy helps your baby stay healthy.
What to Expect During Your Baby’s First Chiropractic Visit
We understand that bringing your infant to a chiropractor may feel unfamiliar or even nerve-wracking. That’s why we’ve created a warm, welcoming environment where you’ll feel completely supported and informed every step of the way.
Here’s what happens at your baby’s first visit:
Initial Consultation (45 minutes):
During this first appointment, we take time to really listen. We’ll ask detailed questions about your pregnancy, labor, and delivery, as well as your baby’s specific symptoms and patterns. We want to understand your baby’s unique story because every little one is different.
We’ll perform our comprehensive INSiGHT scans, which are completely safe, non-invasive neurological assessments. These scans don’t use any radiation—they simply measure nervous system function through temperature, muscle tension, and heart rate variability. The scans take just minutes and give us incredible information about where stress is building in your baby’s nervous system and how well they’re adapting to their environment.
We’ll also perform a gentle structural assessment, observing your baby’s movements, checking for areas of tension or restriction, and evaluating their overall alignment.
Report of Findings & First Adjustment (30 minutes):
At your second visit, we’ll review the scan results and explain exactly what we found. We’ll show you specific areas where your baby’s nervous system is stressed and how that relates to their colic symptoms. Then, if chiropractic care is appropriate for your baby (which it usually is!), we’ll provide their first gentle adjustment.
The adjustment itself takes just minutes. You’ll hold your baby or they’ll lie comfortably on our specialized infant pillows. Our chiropractors will use light, specific touches to release tension and restore proper nerve function. Most babies are completely unbothered by the adjustment—many even fall asleep!
Ongoing Care:
Based on your baby’s specific needs, we’ll create a customized care plan. For babies with colic and gas, we typically recommend more frequent visits initially (often 2-3 times per week) to help their nervous system shift out of the stressed state and learn new, healthier patterns. As symptoms improve, we’ll space visits out accordingly.
Throughout your care, we’ll re-scan periodically to track progress and show you objective improvements in nervous system function. We want you to see the changes happening, not just feel them.
Our office is equipped with everything you need:
We have a private area for nursing or changing diapers, and our team is always happy to hold your baby if you need a moment. We’ve created a judgment-free space where all families are welcomed, valued, and supported. Whether this is your first baby or your fifth, whether you’re exclusively breastfeeding or formula feeding, whether you had a natural birth or a cesarean—you belong here.
Tips for Supporting Colic Relief at Home
Chiropractic care is incredibly effective for addressing the nervous system component of colic, but there are also things you can do at home to support your baby’s comfort and digestion. These practices work beautifully alongside regular adjustments.
Gentle Tummy Massage:
Using light pressure, massage your baby’s belly in a clockwise circular motion (following the direction of the digestive tract). This can help move trapped gas through the intestines. You can also try “I Love You” strokes—make an “I” down the left side of baby’s belly, an upside-down “L” across and down the left side, and an upside-down “U” that goes across the top, down the right side, across the bottom, and down the left side.
The “Bicycle” Technique:
Gently move your baby’s legs in a bicycle pedaling motion. This creates gentle compression in the abdomen that can help release trapped gas and promote bowel movements. Do this slowly and rhythmically, especially when you notice signs of discomfort.
Proper Burping:
Take time with burping, trying different positions. Hold your baby upright against your shoulder, sit them on your lap leaning forward, or lay them tummy-down across your lap. Pat or rub their back gently but firmly. Sometimes babies need multiple burp sessions during a single feeding.
Feeding Adjustments:
If breastfeeding, consider your own diet—some babies are sensitive to dairy, caffeine, or other foods in mom’s diet. If bottle-feeding, ensure the nipple flow isn’t too fast (causing baby to gulp air) or too slow (causing frustration and air swallowing). Keep the baby in a more upright position during feeding to minimize air intake.
Reduce Overstimulation:
Colicky babies often have overwhelmed nervous systems. Create calm environments with dimmed lights, quiet voices, and minimal stimulation, especially in the evenings when colic symptoms typically peak. White noise can be soothing.
Skin-to-Skin Contact:
Hold your baby against your bare chest. The warmth, your heartbeat, and the physical connection help regulate your baby’s nervous system and promote calmness.
Consistent Routines:
Babies thrive on predictability. Consistent bedtime routines, feeding schedules, and daily rhythms help their nervous systems feel safe and regulated.
Remember: These home care strategies work best when combined with chiropractic care that addresses the underlying nervous system stress. Think of it as a comprehensive approach—we support your baby’s nervous system from the inside, and you support their comfort from the outside.
Help Soothe Your Baby’s Colic with Free Spirit Chiropractic
You don’t have to navigate colic alone, and you don’t have to accept that “some babies are just colicky” as the only answer. There is a gentle, natural, effective approach that addresses the root cause—nervous system stress—rather than just managing symptoms.
At Free Spirit Chiropractic, we’ve supported countless Tulsa families through the challenges of infant colic and gas. We’ve witnessed the relief on parents’ faces when their baby finally relaxes, the joy of hearing “they slept through the night for the first time,” and the deep satisfaction of watching an uncomfortable infant transform into a content, thriving baby.
Our doctors understand the intricate connection between birth stress, nervous system function, and digestive health in infants. With specialized training through the ICPA and Pediatric Experience, plus our Webster Certifications and BIRTHFIT backgrounds, we bring comprehensive expertise to every tiny patient we serve.
We believe your baby deserves to be comfortable, and you deserve to enjoy these precious early months rather than spending them exhausted and worried. When your baby’s nervous system is clear and connected, their body can function the way it was designed to—including healthy, comfortable digestion.
Ready to give your baby relief and your family peace?
We invite you to schedule a consultation and discover how gentle, nervous system-focused chiropractic care can transform your baby’s comfort and your family’s well-being. As part of our #FSCFamily, you’ll find a judgment-free space where you’re supported, educated, and empowered every step of the way.
Your baby’s comfort is just a phone call away.
📍 Free Spirit Chiropractic
4312 East 51st Street, Tulsa, OK 74135
📞 918.521.6393
✉️ info@freespiritchiropractic.com
Office Hours:
Monday: 9am-12pm | 3pm-6pm
Tuesday: 3pm-6pm
Wednesday: 9am-12pm | 3pm-6pm
Thursday: 3pm-6pm
Friday: 9am-12pm
Request an Appointment and start your baby’s journey to comfort and your family’s journey to peace.
At Free Spirit Chiropractic, we welcome babies from their very first days of life. It’s never too early to support your little one’s nervous system and give them the best foundation for lifelong wellness.