Birth: Life's biggest Trauma and the 7 Developmental Steps

A study by German Medical Doctor Hans Biedermann found that of 1250 infants, 95% had a neck strain. He concluded that this was a birth related strain. This injury is often visible in the upper neck area and is commonly labeled a birth mark.

A highly important area of the spine, the upper neck houses the brainstem and is the only area we know of with a ligament, the myodural bridge, spanning from the skin all the way to the spinal cord, 

This strain is not a life-threatening, but an influential injury, and should be addressed.

Symptoms of this injury are:

• floppy head
• excessive crying
• sleeping difficulties
• asymetric skull
• preferential one-sided breast feeding
• sensitivity at the back of the head

Leaving this untreated may lead to ongoing problems and a trained Chiropractor has the skill to assess your baby and find out if this problem is present.

In the first 12 months, a baby's spine changes from a primary c-shaped spine to a complex s-shaped spine with 4 curves.

In 7 developmental steps a baby goes from laying on the back to walking, adding 2 curves to the spine in the process.

• 1) Head control. The first postural challenge after birth is being able to hold the head steady. This develops in the first 3 months.
• 2) Rolling. Moving from the laying on the back to laying on the tummy is the first breakthrough milestone, taking the baby towards independence. This takes place between 4 and 6 months
• 3) Tummy time. During tummy time, the movement of lifting the head starts to shape the first of the secondary curves  of the spine, the cervical spine, and with it the neck curvature.
• 4) Sitting. The head is placed over the pelvis. This further strengthens the neck  muscles and spinal curvature and happens between 6 - 8 months.
• 5) Crawling. Being on all fours creates the second of the secondary curves, the iumbar curve, the lower back. This takes place between 6 and 10 months.
• 6) Standing. A major breakthrough towards ambulant independence happens when a baby starts to stand. This achievement indicates the baby's  capacity to hold the spine upright in the face of gravity, a real feat.
• 7) Walking. This movement Integrates all the previous learned movements and is the final mastery of these 7 developmental steps.