Newborn arches back: hypertonicity or reflux?
Very often parents write to me because their newborn arches his back and the pediatrician says he suffers from neonatal hypertonicity.
Many of these children are frequently irritable, cry often and suffer from gastrointestinal problems such as colic and reflux .
In this article and in the video below I explain how I evaluate and resolve hundreds of cases of so-called newborn hypertonicity every month and help them feel good.
What is hypertonicity in newborns?
By hypertonicity in newborns, pediatricians mean an increase in the tone of the back and neck muscles associated with irritability and frequent crying in the baby.
I'll tell you right away that I don't like the term hypertonicity very much because it's a generic term that simultaneously implies arching of the back and irritability of the newborn.
However, these symptoms have completely different causes and solutions :
- the newborn arches his back and extends his neck due to the presence of contractures in the posterior muscles of the back and neck, created by fetal malpositions or during birth.
- the newborn is irritable and cries because he suffers from gastrointestinal disorders such as colic and reflux.
Only by knowing what is meant by hypertonicity in newborns and its real causes, will we be able to resolve it effectively.
Symptoms of Hypertonicity in Newborns
In order to recognize hypertonia in newborns, it is possible to pay attention to some attitudes in the little one:
- The newborn arches his back and head:
- He often detaches himself from the breast by pushing his head backwards;
- He cannot lie on his back, he arches and tends to rotate his head 90 degrees or lies on his side;
- He is often annoyed and irritable;
- suffers from gastrointestinal disorders such as colic and reflux;
- He has difficulty sleeping on his back;
- It's hard to put him to sleep.
Newborn Arches Back and Extends Neck: Causes and Solutions
When a newborn suffers from muscular hypertonicity, that is, has contractures of the posterior spinal muscles, he often arches his back and extends his neck backwards.
To resolve muscle contractures that cause hypertonicity in newborns, it is necessary to massage the muscles of the back and neck with targeted osteopathic treatments.
This way, the child will no longer be forced to arch and will be able to stay aligned more easily.
In parallel with osteopathic treatments, parents can also massage the baby's back with Osteo-massage (osteopathic massages that I teach to the parents of my patients).
Neonatal Hypertonicity and Gastroesophageal Reflux
The first sign of hypertonicity is arching of the back.
The second hallmark of hypertonicity in newborns is irritability.
Infant irritability is often caused by gastrointestinal disorders such as reflux and colic.
When the newborn cries because he suffers from reflux and, at the same time , also has strong back contractures, this incorrect postural attitude is accentuated .
As you may have understood, arching your back CANNOT be considered a certain symptom with which to diagnose reflux.
In fact, there are many newborns who suffer from reflux but almost never arch their backs (because they do not have contractures).
Hypertonicity in newborns: remedies to treat it
If your baby suffers from hypertonia it means that
- has muscle contractures in his back and neck;
- suffers from gastrointestinal disorders (colic or reflux).
To solve the hypertonicity of the newborn we must solve both of the previous problems.
- To resolve muscle contractures in the neck and back, osteopathic treatments are necessary that act on the muscles and mobility of the spinal column; in parallel to these, the parent can massage the back and neck of his child with Osteo-Massage.
- To resolve colic and reflux it is necessary to know all the causes and remedies for which an inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal system has been created.