Does your baby cry for hours without relief?
Are you looking for a safe, drug-free way to soothe your little one?
Infant colic can be an exhausting and emotional experience for both babies and parents. Fortunately, osteopathic manual therapy offers a gentle and effective solution that addresses physical contributors to colic. In this article, you’ll learn what colic is, how osteopathy works, what research says, and how to find safe treatment for your child.
What is Infant Colic?
Infant colic is defined as excessive and often unexplained crying in otherwise healthy babies. Typically, colic appears within the first few weeks of life and may last until the baby is 3 to 4 months old. Pediatricians use the ‘Rule of Threes’ to describe colic: crying for more than 3 hours per day, at least 3 days a week, for a duration of 3 weeks or longer. Though the cause of colic remains unclear, experts believe it may be linked to immature digestion, trapped gas, overstimulation, or musculoskeletal imbalances resulting from birth.
Common symptoms of colic include:
– High-pitched, inconsolable crying and fussiness (especially in the late afternoon or evening)
– Clenched fists and legs pulled up towards the belly
– A tense or bloated abdomen
– Difficulty sleeping or settling
– Spit-up or signs of reflux
How Can Osteopathy Help Infants with Colic?
Osteopathy is a form of manual therapy that focuses on supporting the body’s natural balance and healing processes by improving structure and function. In infants, treatment is incredibly gentle and specifically tailored to their delicate systems. The osteopath uses subtle movements and soft pressure to identify and relieve tension in the musculoskeletal system, particularly in areas like the diaphragm, spine, abdomen, chest, neck, and cranium.
Treatment goals include:
– Improving gut motility and digestion
– Reducing tension in the diaphragm to support easier breathing and general function
– Balancing the autonomic nervous system to promote calmness
– Encouraging better sleep and feeding patterns
– Enhancing comfort and bonding with parents
Each session typically lasts 30 to 45 minutes. The baby may lie on a soft blanket on the treatment table or be held by a parent throughout. No cracking or forceful manipulation is used—only light touch and slow rhythmic movements. Osteopathy helps infants feel more at ease in their bodies, supporting both emotional and physical regulation.
What Does the Research Say?
Several clinical studies support the use of osteopathic manual therapy in the management of infant colic. A randomized controlled trial by Cerritelli et al. (2023), published in the journal Healthcare, found that infants receiving osteopathic treatment cried significantly less and had fewer episodes of regurgitation compared to those who received no treatment. Importantly, the study reported no adverse effects, suggesting that osteopathy is both effective and safe.
Read the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37761797/
In addition, a study by Fiori et al. (2025), published in BMC Pediatrics, explored the effect of osteopathic care on parental stress. Parents of babies who received treatment reported a noticeable reduction in stress levels. This indicates that the benefits of osteopathic therapy extend beyond the infant to improve the wellbeing of the entire family.
Read the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39885436/
Benefits of Osteopathic Treatment
Osteopathy provides a comprehensive, gentle approach to colic care. Benefits include:
– Pain-free and calming experience for the baby
– Reduced crying and abdominal discomfort
– Better sleep quality and longer naps
– Improved breastfeeding and digestion
– Lower stress levels for parents and caregivers
What Happens During a Treatment Session?
Sessions last around 30–45 minutes. The osteopath will take a full health history and assess your baby through gentle palpation. Treatment involves subtle movements designed to release physical tension and support the baby’s balance and comfort. Parents remain present throughout, and treatments can be paused or adapted depending on how the baby responds.
When Should You Seek Osteopathic Treatment?
Consider booking an osteopathic assessment if:
– Your baby cries or fusses for extended periods without relief
– There are signs of reflux, constipation, or bloating
– Feeding is difficult or sleep is constantly interrupted
– You feel overwhelmed or uncertain about how to help your baby
Book an appointment online: https://qklinik.dk/en/bestil-tid/
How to Choose a Qualified Osteopath for Your Baby
When selecting an osteopath, make sure they are authorized and have extensive post-graduate training in paediatrics. Treating infants requires specialized knowledge of anatomy, development, and communication. Look for practitioners who are experienced in working with newborns, attend continuing education courses in paediatric care, and foster a warm, calm clinic environment.
Additional Support and Self-Help Resources
Watch our video with tips to help soothe your baby with colic: https://youtu.be/luX71qeoOWk?si=uP-AdfwOEOd8gmpW
Incorporating gentle massage, white noise, swaddling, and feeding adjustments can all help reduce colic symptoms alongside osteopathic care.
Refences
- Carnes, Dawn & Plunkett, Austin & Ellwood, Julie & Miles, Clare. (2018). Manual therapy for unsettled, distressed and excessively crying infants: a systematic review and meta-analyses. BMJ Open. 8. e019040. 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019040.
- Cerritelli, F., Barlafante, G., Pascucci, F., et al. (2023). Osteopathic manual therapy for infants with colic: A randomized controlled trial. Healthcare, 11(18), 2413. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37761797
- Fiori, P., Cerritelli, F., et al. (2025). Effect of osteopathic treatment on parental stress in infants with colic: A clinical study. BMC Pediatrics. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39885436
