Restore Peace: Transform Your Baby’s Colic Journey

Is your child struggling with colic in Austin? If you’re reading this at 2 AM while your little one cries inconsolably, you’re not alone. Thousands of families in South Austin, Circle C, and surrounding areas face the same exhausting reality. While conventional approaches often focus on managing symptoms, neurologically-focused chiropractic care addresses the root cause of colic — nervous system dysfunction. At River City Wellness, Dr. Peter Martinez and Dr. Sean Forbes help families discover why their child’s nervous system is stuck in survival mode and provide gentle, specific care to support their development and comfort.

What Is Colic?

Colic is excessive, frequent crying in children that occurs for no apparent reason and cannot be consoled. This condition typically affects babies under four months of age and is characterized by crying episodes lasting three or more hours per day, occurring at least three days per week.

Unlike normal infant fussiness, colic involves intense, persistent crying that often happens at the same time each day, usually in the evening. The crying is accompanied by physical signs of distress including clenched fists, arched back, and red face.

Medical professionals estimate that colic affects up to 20% of all babies. While traditional medicine often views colic as a mysterious condition that babies simply “grow out of,” emerging research points to nervous system dysfunction as a primary underlying cause.

Signs and Symptoms of Colic in Children

Parents often recognize colic through these common signs and symptoms:

• Intense crying for 3+ hours daily, often at the same time each day
• Crying that sounds different — more intense and high-pitched than normal fussiness
• Difficulty being comforted despite feeding, changing, and holding
• Physical signs of distress: clenched fists, arched back, tense abdominal muscles
• Red or flushed face during crying episodes
• Disrupted sleep patterns for both baby and family
• Digestive issues including gas, constipation, or reflux
• Difficulty feeding or frequent spit-up
• Episodes that start and stop suddenly without clear triggers
• Overall irritability even between crying episodes

What Causes Colic? (The Root Cause)

Understanding what causes colic in children requires looking beyond surface symptoms to the nervous system itself. At River City Wellness, we’ve identified what we call the “Perfect Storm” — a combination of factors that create the ideal conditions for colic to develop.

The first factor is birth trauma. Even routine births can create stress on a baby’s delicate spine and nervous system. Prolonged labor, assisted delivery with forceps or vacuum, or cesarean section can all contribute to subluxations — areas where the spine isn’t moving properly, interfering with nervous system function.

Environmental stressors form the second component. These include in-utero positioning, maternal stress during pregnancy, or early exposure to toxins. When combined with birth trauma, these factors can overwhelm an infant’s developing nervous system.

The result is a nervous system stuck in sympathetic dominance — constantly operating in “fight or flight” mode. This creates a cascade of problems including vagus nerve dysfunction, which directly impacts digestion, sleep regulation, and the ability to self-soothe. When the vagus nerve isn’t functioning optimally, babies struggle to shift into the parasympathetic “rest and digest” state necessary for comfort and development.

This neurological dysfunction explains why colic symptoms often cluster together — digestive issues, sleep problems, and inconsolable crying all stem from the same root cause: an overwhelmed nervous system that can’t properly regulate basic functions.

How Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Helps Colic

As a colic chiropractor in Austin, our approach at River City Wellness differs significantly from conventional symptom management. We focus on identifying and correcting the nervous system dysfunction that creates colic symptoms in the first place.

Our process begins with INSiGHT scanning technology, which provides objective measurements of your child’s nervous system function. These non-invasive scans reveal patterns of stress and dysfunction that explain why your child’s system is stuck in survival mode. Many families find this data incredibly validating — it shows them they’re not imagining their child’s struggles.

Based on these findings, Dr. Martinez and Dr. Forbes provide gentle, specific pediatric adjustments designed to address subluxations interfering with nervous system communication. These adjustments are incredibly gentle — often no more pressure than you’d use to check the ripeness of a tomato.

Our care specifically targets areas that support vagus nerve function and nervous system regulation. Research suggests that when subluxations are corrected and nervous system function improves, many families notice their children become calmer, sleep better, and experience fewer digestive issues. The body’s natural ability to heal and regulate itself is remarkable when nervous system interference is removed.

Colic often occurs alongside other conditions rooted in nervous system dysfunction. We frequently help children experiencing reflux, torticollis, digestive issues, and sleep problems — all of which can be interconnected through nervous system function.

What to Expect at Your Child’s First Visit

We understand that bringing your colicky child to see a chiropractor can feel overwhelming. Our team at River City Wellness, conveniently located in South Austin and serving families from Circle C, Sunset Valley, Oak Hill, Barton Creek, and Manchaca, has created a welcoming environment designed with families in mind.

Your first visit begins with a thorough consultation where Dr. Martinez or Dr. Forbes will listen to your child’s story without judgment. We want to understand your pregnancy, birth experience, and your child’s symptoms from your perspective as their parent.

Next, we’ll perform our INSiGHT neurological scans. These completely painless scans measure nervous system function and stress patterns in your child’s spine and nervous system. Many babies actually fall asleep during this process.

During your report of findings visit, we’ll explain exactly what we discovered and how it relates to your child’s colic symptoms. If care is recommended, we’ll outline a customized care plan designed specifically for your child’s nervous system needs and development stage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Colic

Is chiropractic care safe for children with colic?

Yes, pediatric chiropractic care is extremely safe when provided by trained professionals. Dr. Martinez and Dr. Forbes use gentle techniques specifically designed for infants — adjustments involve no more pressure than you’d use to test the ripeness of fruit. Our INSiGHT scanning technology is completely non-invasive and FDA-approved for pediatric use.

How long before I see results with my colicky baby?

Every child responds differently based on their unique nervous system and the severity of dysfunction present. Some families notice changes within the first few visits, while others see gradual improvements over several weeks. Our experience shows that consistency with the recommended care plan typically produces the best outcomes for children with colic.

Does insurance cover chiropractic care for colic?

Many insurance plans provide chiropractic benefits that can be applied to pediatric care. Our team will verify your benefits and help you understand your coverage. We also offer flexible payment options because we believe every child deserves access to neurologically-focused care.

At what age can you start treating colic with chiropractic care?

We can assess and provide care for newborns as early as a few days old. In fact, early intervention often produces the best results because an infant’s nervous system is rapidly developing and highly adaptable. The sooner we can identify and address nervous system dysfunction, the better we can support your child’s natural healing capacity.

How is this different from other colic treatments we’ve tried?

Most conventional approaches focus on managing colic symptoms — gas drops, dietary changes, or simply waiting it out. Neurologically-focused chiropractic care addresses the root cause by identifying and correcting nervous system dysfunction. Rather than masking symptoms, we work to restore proper nervous system function so your child’s body can heal and regulate itself naturally.

What if my pediatrician says colic will resolve on its own?

While many children do eventually outgrow colic symptoms, the underlying nervous system dysfunction often remains and can manifest as other challenges later — sleep issues, behavioral problems, or learning difficulties. Addressing the root cause early can prevent these future complications and help your child thrive rather than simply survive their early months.

Take the Next Step for Your Child

You don’t have to navigate colic alone. Thousands of Austin families have found hope and healing through neurologically-focused chiropractic care. Dr. Martinez and Dr. Forbes understand the exhaustion and frustration you’re experiencing, and they’re here to help.

Our South Austin location at 8708 S. Congress Ave makes it convenient for families throughout the area to access care. Whether you’re in Circle C, Sunset Valley, or anywhere in South Austin, we’re here to support your family’s journey toward better health and comfort.

The first step is understanding what’s happening in your child’s nervous system. Once we have that information, we can work together to create a plan that addresses the root cause of their colic symptoms.