When a baby won't stop crying, won't nurse evenly, or holds their head to one side, parents often feel like they've exhausted their options. Pediatric chiropractic care offers a drug-free, hands-on approach that addresses the neurological and structural root causes behind some of the most common infant and childhood health concerns.
Forward Spine Center in Golden Valley, Minnesota, led by Dr. Madeline Klesk, provides ICPA-trained pediatric chiropractic care for infants and children throughout the Twin Cities metro.
Can chiropractic care help with colic?
Colic — defined as crying for more than three hours a day, more than three days a week, in an otherwise healthy infant — affects roughly 20% of newborns. While the cause of colic is not fully understood, research suggests that nerve irritation stemming from birth-related spinal stress may contribute to digestive discomfort and excessive crying in some infants.
Gentle chiropractic adjustments aimed at reducing tension in the nervous system have been shown in multiple studies to reduce colic symptoms. A 2012 systematic review published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that spinal manipulation was effective in reducing crying time in colicky infants.
Dr. Madeline Klesk evaluates colicky infants with a thorough neurological and spinal assessment before beginning any care. Treatment is gentle, safe, and tailored to the newborn's size and sensitivity.
Can chiropractic care help with ear infections?
Recurrent ear infections (otitis media) are one of the most common reasons parents seek pediatric chiropractic care. The Eustachian tube in young children sits at a more horizontal angle than in adults, making drainage more difficult and creating an environment where fluid accumulates and infection develops.
Chiropractic adjustments in the upper cervical spine may support Eustachian tube function by reducing nerve interference and improving drainage mechanics. While chiropractic care is not a replacement for medical evaluation of ear infections, many families find it a valuable complementary approach — particularly for children experiencing recurrent infections despite repeated antibiotic courses.
What is torticollis and how does chiropractic care treat it?
Torticollis is a condition in which the neck muscles cause the head to tilt or rotate to one side. In infants, it is often present at birth or develops shortly after due to positioning in the womb or stress during delivery. Symptoms include a head tilt, preference for nursing on one side, flattening of one side of the skull (plagiocephaly), and difficulty turning the head fully in both directions.
Pediatric chiropractic care for torticollis focuses on gentle adjustments to the upper cervical spine combined with soft tissue work to reduce muscle tension and restore full range of motion. Early intervention is strongly recommended — the earlier torticollis is addressed, the better the outcome.
Dr. Klesk has experience treating infant torticollis and works collaboratively with pediatric physical therapists when a multidisciplinary approach is warranted.
What about chiropractic care for older children with ear infections or immune concerns?
As children grow, chiropractic care continues to support immune function and nervous system health. The nervous system regulates every organ system in the body, including immune response. Regular chiropractic adjustments aimed at maintaining spinal alignment and reducing nerve interference are used by many families as part of a proactive wellness approach — not just for injury or acute illness.
Forward Spine Center is located in Golden Valley, MN and serves pediatric patients from Plymouth, St. Louis Park, Minnetonka, Robbinsdale, Crystal, and the greater Twin Cities metro. Dr. Madeline Klesk accepts new pediatric patients and welcomes families with children of all ages, from newborns to teenagers.
