A mother’s story about her daughter and her chiropractor.
Emily D. H.
DOB: May 20,1998
7 pounds, 15 ounces; 20 inches
Full Term – C-section because of breech.
Health, alert, and a happy baby girl.
Emily sat up with no support at 5 months old. At 7 months old Emily rolled over for her first time (back to stomach). How exciting for us. As the days went on Emily didn’t roll over anymore.
On February 22, 1999 Emily went for her 9 month check-up to see her pediatrician. Her doctor said he was very concerned about Emily because she seemed to have a developmental delay. Emily at this point was not rolling over – would not tolerate to be on her belly at all (she screamed)! She would also not put any pressure on her legs or feet. She would clunch her legs up to her belly – she would not straighten out her legs to stand at all. Therefore she had no desire to get on all fours, crawl or walk. Her doctor decided he would like her to see a pediatric neurologist (in Grand Rapids). Also he wanted her to start physical therapy 3 times a week.
Emily started physical therapy on February 24, 1999. Two weeks into her therapy Emily rolled over from back to front again (at 9 ½ months old) from her first time at 7 months old. A week later she was rolling back to stomach and stomach to back. Was therapy really going to help?
On May 19, 1999 (1 day before Emily’s 1st year birthday) she went to see the pediatric neurologist. This doctor said she was unaware of what could be wrong with Emily. She said, “I’ve never seen a baby that won’t stand at all!” An appointment to have a MRI of the brain, a MRI of the lower spinal and blood work (to rule out any muscle disease) was scheduled for July 1st, 1999 (at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids). While waiting for this appointment Emily’s pediatrician decided to send her over to have xrays done of her hips. Results came back normal. So we waited to have the MRI’s and blood work done, while now having physical therapy twice a week. Not seeing any significant progress in therapy at this point. Emily’s appointment was here and we went through the MRI’s and blood work! Results came back all normal. All doctors were saying, “She’s so puzzling, we don’t know what could be wrong.” Still saying Emily has a developmental delay.
From February 1999 to July 1st, 1999 Emilys therapy progress consisted of: reaching for items away from her (bending over), sitting up straight with her legs straight in front of her (instead of in a wide position), picking up Cheerios with her forefinger and thumb, tolerating being on her belly, getting on her belly from a sitting position, and rolling over consistently. Little progress was on its way but nothing significant!!
Emilys mother now is carrying around a 22 pound 13 month old child and definitely needs to go see Dr. Palmer. “My back is out of wack!” I tell him about Emily not crawling or walking and he says, “Bring her in to be adjusted!” I’m thinking, “How weird!” “Should I try it?” I’m thinking “Emily’s not going to let him touch her!” Well, guess what. I decide, “What’s to lose? We’ll try it!” Emily was adjusted on July 22nd, 1999 for her first time – just an hour after her adjustment I was seeing improvement. She was going from laying on her belly to pushing up on her hands and moving backwards to an upright sitting position on her butt! How amazing, could it be the adjustment or was it a miracle? Emily went back on July 25 and each time I seen more improvement. This time she started putting pressure on her legs standing for a period of 2 minutes at a time. Also was sitting on her knees (which at therapy when we had put her on her knees she would scream and cry). Now she was doing it herself and tolerating it. Next appoint August 3rd she was doing more standing and putting pressure on her knees. I kept saying I’ll keep bringing her to the chiropractor because this is the best improvement we’ve ever seen. On August 7, 1999 was Emilys 4th appointment to be adjusted. Later that night Emily (14 months old) got on all fours and started crawling! First 2 moves forward and minutes later 9 and 10 moves forward! How amazing! Definitely now convinced that chiropractic is a wonderful thing! On Monday, August 9th, 1999 Emily is now standing (with the support of someone holding her under her arms). She puts pressure on her feet moving fast stamping her feet as though she was running. By Tuesday, August 10, 1999 Emily was crawling room to room! We can’t wait for another adjustment!
Chiropractor Richmond Hill GA 