Health
Ohio baby ‘smiling again’ after chiropractic adjustments, parents say — but is it safe?
A newborn in Columbus, Ohio, has a brand new demeanor ever since being treated by a chiropractor, her parents say.
Lily Freeman, just 2 months old, wasn’t a happy baby, her father, Joseph Freeman, told Fox News Digital.
When his daughter was born, her umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck twice.
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About a week after the birth, Freeman and his wife, Stephanie Murdock, noticed that the baby exhibited extreme fussiness, grimacing, clenched fists, and stiff arms and legs.
Murdock, who was breastfeeding, went on a strict diet, cutting out all dairy and eggs, hoping to spark some change.
Stephanie Murdock and Joseph Freeman are pictured with their baby, Lily Freeman. “The only thing that worked was holding her upright. We knew something was wrong,” said the dad about his baby. (Joseph Freeman)
“When she was placed on her back, she would cry uncontrollably,” Freeman said. “The only thing that worked was holding her upright. We knew something was wrong.”
The couple took their baby to four different doctors, who concluded that since she was gaining weight and was healthy, she probably had colic — which would improve in three to four months.
“As her parents, we could not just sit back and wait it out,” Freeman said. “We knew she had invisible pain.”
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The couple posted on social media, searching for answers from fellow parents. Many recommended they see a chiropractor.
“We had no previous knowledge that chiropractors treated children,” Freeman said. “We were extremely skeptical because Lily was only 2 weeks old.”
When evaluating a baby, a chiropractor said the movements of the spine’s joints will help determine where adjustments are needed. (iStock)
Freeman and Murdock took their baby to see Dr. Josh Russell at Ability Chiropractic in Hillard, Ohio. The doctor explained to them that the birthing process can be “traumatic” for mother and child.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Russell said that he and his colleague, Dr. Tyler Morman, often treat babies with colicky behavior.
They typically perform a “thorough exam” and investigate the child’s history, including the details of the pregnancy, labor and delivery.
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“The whole premise of chiropractics is to help the nervous system function the way that it should,” he said.
“When you have a lack of mobility within the spine and tightness in musculature … that interferes with the nervous system’s communication to send signals to the rest of the body.”
A chiropractor compared the pressure of an adjustment to checking “a peach or a tomato for ripeness.” (iStock)
When evaluating a baby, the movements of the spinal joints will help determine where adjustments are needed, Russell said.
When adjusting, the doctor said the appropriate pressure is what might be used to check “a peach or a tomato for ripeness.”
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“It’s a sustained pressure, holding a specific area that needs to move better,” he said. “Once that nervous system interference is gone, we see huge changes.”
Freeman, the baby’s mom, told Fox News Digital after the second chiropractic visit, he and Murdock noticed a “huge change” in their little one’s mobility and demeanor.
Dr. Josh Russell at Ability Chiropractic in Hillard, Ohio, treated baby Lily Freeman. (Audrey Art/Ability Chiropractic)
“She started smiling for the first time since she was born,” he said. “We could place her on her back without her uncontrollably crying.”
He added, “She was able to sleep without waking up every 20 minutes in pain. It was a beautiful thing to witness Lily transform into a totally different baby.”
Some claim practice is ‘overwhelmingly safe’
Russell said he sees family members ranging in age from one day old to 99 years old.
Babies, toddlers and kids who may be having trouble with eating, sleeping or bowel movements could find great benefit from an adjustment, according to the chiropractor.
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For toddlers, Russell claims that chiropractic care can also help with hyperactivity.
Regarding parents’ worries that an adjustment could hurt their baby, he stated that the practice is “overwhelmingly safe.”
Babies, toddlers and kids who may be having trouble with eating, sleeping or bowel movements could find great benefit from an adjustment, according to a chiropractor. (iStock)
“I haven’t had any adverse reactions to chiropractic care,” he said.
“Our protocol … is a thorough exam, very light adjustments. It’s really nothing crazy.”
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Freeman encouraged other parents to “do their research” and consult with a chiropractor before undergoing treatment.
“Knowledge is power, and we had to advocate for Lily,” he said. “You have to be the voice for the voiceless.”
Lily Freeman, pictured at left, changed into a “totally different baby,” her father said. (Joseph Freeman; iStock)
Dr. Lora Tanis, a New Jersey chiropractor who is also the president of the Council on Chiropractic Pediatrics, also weighed in, telling Fox News Digital that she “definitely recommends” chiropractic care for babies.
“Often there are mechanical forces or circumstances that would warrant a spinal evaluation for a baby, and therefore, having a baby evaluated early can potentially avoid future problems,” she said in an email.
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Chiropractors are trained to perform “age-appropriate exams prior to determining if the child is a candidate for chiropractic care,” Tanis added.
Babies who suffer from neuromusculoskeletal conditions will show signs of “greater comfort” following a visit to the chiropractor, she said.
“Many parents report that their baby cries less and sleeps more soundly after chiropractic care.”
“Often there are mechanical forces or circumstances that would warrant a spinal evaluation for a baby, and therefore, having a baby evaluated early can potentially avoid future problems,” one chiropractor said. (iStock)
“Adjustments performed on children are very gentle, precise and appropriate for their age,” Tanis said.
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She encouraged parents to seek chiropractic help for children if they notice abnormal posture or head position, decreased motion of extremities, irritability with movement, or trauma.
Experts warn of risks
Not all experts agree that chiropractic adjustments are safe for newborns.
An observational study published in Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), concluded that “serious adverse events may be associated with pediatric spinal manipulation.”
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Beth C. Natt, M.D., system medical director of pediatrics at Atlantic Health System in New Jersey, echoed those concerns.
“I do not recommend chiropractic care for babies,” she told Fox News Digital.
“Although watching a newborn baby get ‘adjusted’ might be a popular video clip on TikTok, the reality is that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other reputable medical organizations do not recommend chiropractic care for infants due to safety and efficacy concerns.”
“Infants are wired to adapt to their environment without external interventions like chiropractic care.”
Claims that chiropractic care can treat conditions like colic, reflux and sleep disturbances are “not supported by rigorous scientific studies,” according to Natt.
Although some believe that infants need to be “realigned” after childbirth, Natt disagreed.
Infants have “delicate and developing bones and joints,” the doctor noted, which makes them “more susceptible to injury from spinal manipulations,” a pediatrician said. (iStock)
“The infant’s body undergoes these natural adjustments and development after birth, and infants are wired to adapt to their environment without external interventions like chiropractic care,” she said.
Infants have “delicate and developing bones and joints,” the doctor noted, which makes them “more susceptible to injury from spinal manipulations.”
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“There have been documented cases of serious injuries, including fractures and spinal cord injuries, after chiropractic care in infants,” Natt warned.
The doctor recommended parents speak with their pediatricians about their concerns before seeing a chiropractor.
Babies’ developing bones can leave the little ones more susceptible to injuries, the pediatrician said. (iStock)
The pediatrician can perform an assessment of the infant and determine whether other, less risky therapies are better for the infant, she said.
Natt added, “At the end of the day, we are all aligned — we want to ensure that we care for the health, safety and comfort of our patients.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the AAP requesting comment.
This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Suicide is a leading cause of death in the U.S., with more than 49,000 people taking their own lives in 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Although most suicides stem from mental health disorders, statistics show that the behavior can sometimes be “contagious,” leading to “suicide clusters.”
Suicide clusters are defined as “a group of suicides or suicide attempts that occur closer together in time, space or both than would normally be expected in a community,” the CDC states.
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Dr. Caroline Fenkel, a licensed clinical social worker in Pennsylvania, who is an expert in suicide prevention, confirmed that the act can have a contagion effect — particularly among young people.
Although most suicides stem from mental health disorders, statistics show that the behavior can sometimes be “contagious,” leading to “suicide clusters.” (iStock)
“When individuals hear about a suicide, especially someone close to their age or in their community, it can feel more accessible as an option in moments of distress,” she told Fox News Digital.
“The more the details are shared, especially in sensational ways, the greater the risk.”
Up to 5% of youth suicides can be attributed to contagion, according to Jennifer Kelman, a licensed clinical care social worker in Florida who works with JustAnswer, an expert help on-demand platform.
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“It doesn’t necessarily increase for everyone in that community, but rather for those who are struggling as well — with depression, anxiety and other feelings that may be overwhelming,” she told Fox News Digital.
5 possible reasons for suicide contagion
Dr. Deborah Gilman, owner and chief licensed psychologist at Fox Chapel Psychological Services in Pennsylvania, shared the following four factors that could contribute to suicide clusters.
1. Normalization
When people hear about suicides, it can normalize the idea of using it as a way to deal with problems, according to Gilman.
Experts encourage people to talk openly and compassionately about mental health to help reduce the stigma. (iStock)
“People often look to others for cues on how to behave,” she told Fox News Digital.
“If they see that many others are choosing suicide, they may believe that it is the socially acceptable or ‘correct’ thing to do.”
2. Copying or modeling
“Some individuals may feel a sense of connection or empathy with the person who died and may imitate their actions,” Gilman said.
“In close-knit communities, schools or social groups, the suicide of one member can lead to others in the same environment feeling similar distress or engaging in similar behaviors.”
“The more the details are shared, especially in sensational ways, the greater the risk.”
Some individuals may imitate the behavior of someone who has died by suicide, especially if they are already struggling with their own mental health, she said.
“This can be due to a sense of hopelessness or a desire to escape their own pain.”
3. Social proof
People may believe that if others are choosing suicide, it must be a valid option for them as well, according to Gilman.
“From social learning theory, if the observed behavior — in this case, suicide — is seen as a positive outcome or a solution to problems, it may be reinforced and more likely to be imitated.”
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This risk can escalate when a celebrity or widely admired person dies by suicide, she added, as it can have a disproportionate impact on those who look up to that individual.
4. Vulnerability
“Individuals who are already struggling with mental health issues — especially depression and anxiety — may be more likely to experience suicidal thoughts or behaviors,” Gilman warned.
Those experiencing difficult life circumstances — such as job loss, divorce or financial struggles — may be more susceptible, she added.
“Pulling away from friends, family or support groups can indicate that the survivor is struggling more than they can manage on their own,” a mental health expert warned. (iStock)
5. Recency bias
“People tend to overestimate the likelihood of events that are easily recalled,” Gilman said.
“If a recent suicide has been widely publicized, it may make the idea of suicide more accessible and salient in people’s minds.”
6 warning signs among survivors
For those impacted by suicide, experts agreed that it’s important to watch for signs of deep distress, including the following.
1. Increased suicidal thoughts
“Experiencing recurring or intensifying thoughts of suicide is a critical warning sign that immediate professional help is necessary,” Gilman advised.
“For instance, the survivor may start having more frequent thoughts about ending their own life or making plans for it.”
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They may also express feelings of being overwhelmed to the point where they believe suicide is the only option, she said.
2. Feelings of being a burden
People saying they feel like a burden is a “major red flag,” according to Thomas Banta, a clinical mental health counselor in Jeffersonville, Indiana.
“Many people who try to end their lives feel they are doing the people around them a favor,” he told Fox News Digital.
“When we hear that type of language, intervention is essential.”
3. Inability to cope with daily life
“Difficulty managing daily responsibilities or activities can indicate that the emotional burden is too great to handle without professional support,” Gilman said.
“It’s crucial to highlight help and hope, encouraging those who are struggling to seek support,” a mental health expert said. (iStock)
The survivor may struggle to maintain a job, manage household duties or care for themselves due to their emotional state.
4. Risky behaviors
Engaging in unsafe or self-harming actions is a serious sign that mental health treatment is needed, experts agree.
“For example, the survivor may start harming themselves physically, such as cutting or burning, as a means of dealing with their emotional pain,” said Gilman.
“Many people who try to end their lives feel they are doing the people around them a favor.”
“Or they may engage in dangerous activities, like reckless driving, promiscuous sex or substance abuse, which puts their health and safety at risk.”
5. Severe mood or behavior changes
Significant changes in behavior or mood that affect a survivor’s ability to function in everyday life can be a sign that they need help, according to Gilman.
This might involve the survivor becoming unusually aggressive, withdrawn or apathetic, or displaying behavior that is significantly different from their “normal” demeanor.
Participating in unsafe or self-harming actions is a serious sign that mental health treatment is needed, experts agree. (iStock)
6. Withdrawal from support systems
“Pulling away from friends, family or support groups can indicate that the survivor is struggling more than they can manage on their own,” Gilman warned.
The person might avoid social interactions, decline invitations or isolate themselves from people who usually offer support.
The signs aren’t always obvious, however, Banta noted.
“We also see the opposite end of the spectrum, where somebody will make a plan, and their mood lifts because they feel like they have found an escape,” he said.
Preventing contagion after a suicide
Experts offered the following tips to help reduce the risk of “clusters” following a suicide.
1. Use careful communication
“It’s important to be cautious about how we discuss suicide publicly,” Fenkel said.
“Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness.”
The best way to prevent contagion is through responsible communication, she advised.
“This includes limiting the specifics around the method of suicide and focusing on the impact of the loss,” she said.
2. Offer support
Offering access to crisis resources can help vulnerable individuals feel connected and supported, Fenkel said.
The best way to prevent contagion is through responsible communication, an expert advised. “This includes limiting the specifics around the method of suicide and focusing on the impact of the loss.” (iStock)
“It’s crucial to highlight help and hope, encouraging those who are struggling to seek support,” she said, noting that many schools and communities provide mental health services to help those who are grieving.
Banta agreed, noting that intervention and higher levels of care can stabilize people and help them develop a robust support system.
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“In terms of public health communication, we must let people know that treatment works and that there is effective help out there,” he said.
3. Stop the stigma
“Stigma can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, which can contribute to suicidal ideation,” Gilman warned.
When people feel comfortable discussing their mental health concerns without fear of judgment, they are more likely to seek help from professionals, she noted.
“I have worked with many people who felt hopeless and that their lives would never improve, but then they did,” a therapist told Fox News Digital. (iStock)
Fenkel agreed, encouraging people to talk openly and compassionately about mental health.
“Anyone experiencing thoughts of suicide should know that there is help available, and reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness,” she said.
Suicide is a “fleeting state of mind,” Banta pointed out.
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“I have worked with many people who felt hopeless and that their lives would never improve, but then they did,” he said.
“So if you are struggling and reading this, there is help. Don’t give up.”
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Health
Superbugs due to antibiotic resistance could kill 39 million people by 2050, large study finds
Resistance to antibiotics has led to one million worldwide deaths each year since 1990, for a total of 36 million.
It is expected to cause more than 39 million more fatalities by 2050 — three per minute.
That’s according to a large study led by the Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance (GRAM) Project, a partnership between the University of Oxford and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington.
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After analyzing 520 million health records, the researchers provided future estimates for 22 pathogens, 84 pathogen-drug combinations and 11 infectious syndromes across 204 countries and territories, according to a GRAM press release.
Resistance to antibiotics has led to one million worldwide deaths each year since 1990, for a total of 36 million. (iStock)
Findings from the study were published in The Lancet on Monday.
What is antimicrobial resistance?
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria and other types of germs become stronger than the medications given to treat them, creating so-called “superbugs.”
This can make infections difficult or impossible to treat, per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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“In modern medicine, the use of antibiotics has allowed us to successfully perform organ transplants, complex surgical procedures and care for extremely preterm infants,” Jasmine Riviere Marcelin, MD, a fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and infectious diseases professor at the University of Nebraska — who was not involved in the study — told Fox News Digital.
“These interventions have been successful because antibiotics have allowed us to prevent and treat infections in these critically ill patients.”
Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria and other types of germs become stronger than the medications given to treat them, creating so-called “superbugs.” (iStock)
Now, antibiotic-resistant bacteria pose a “significant health risk,” she warned, because they prevent the ability to treat or prevent infections.
“Not only will our advancements in medicine be at risk, but we may find ourselves back to where we were in the pre-antibiotic era, when mortality from simple skin/soft tissue infections was significant,” Marcelin added.
“We may find ourselves back to where we were in the pre-antibiotic era.”
Maureen Tierney, MD, associate dean of clinical research and public health at Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska, was also not involved in the study, but confirmed that it is “the most comprehensive attempt to determine the burden of antimicrobial resistance [in terms of] disability and death.”
“This was an enormous effort using all different sources of data in countries around the world to estimate the number of deaths caused by microorganisms resistant to several types of antibiotics,” she told Fox News Digital.
Marking key shifts
Since 1990, the infection that caused the biggest increase was MRSA (methicillin-resistant S. aureus), a type of staph bacteria that has become resistant to some antibiotics.
Annual MRSA-related deaths increased from 57,200 in 1990 to 130,000 in 2021, the study found.
Despite the overall increase in AMR-related mortality, deaths among kids younger than 5 were cut in half between 1990 and 2021.
Since 1990, the infection that caused the biggest increase was MRSA (methicillin-resistant S. aureus), a type of staph bacteria that has become resistant to some antibiotics. (iStock)
The researchers attributed this to childhood vaccination programs and wider access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene practices.
The sharpest increase was among adults 70 and older, who saw a more than 80% uptick in AMR deaths.
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“Researchers expect these trends to continue in the coming decades, with AMR deaths among children under 5 projected to halve by 2050 globally, as deaths among people 70 years and older more than double,” the press release stated.
Geographically, deaths rose the most in western sub-Saharan Africa, tropical Latin America, high-income North America, Southeast Asia and South Asia.
Combating antimicrobial resistance
Next week, global health leaders plan to meet at the UN General Assembly in New York to discuss new strategies for addressing AMR.
Potential interventions include “infection prevention and control measures, such as new vaccines and antimicrobials, and improved access to water and sanitation — as well as deeper investments across health systems in diagnostics, training and new technologies,” the release stated.
“The most important ways to decrease the incidence of antibiotic resistance are vaccination for pneumonia, influenza, COVID, measles and other diseases,” an infectious diseases expert told Fox News Digital. (Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images))
“The most important ways to decrease the incidence of antibiotic resistance are vaccination for pneumonia, influenza, COVID, measles and other diseases,” Tierney from Creighton University told Fox News Digital.
Tierney also calls for “antimicrobial stewardship” – which she defines as “the judicious use of antibiotics in humans, animals and farming” – as well as infection prevention practices, especially in health care facilities, and the development of new antibiotics.
“Antibiotics are a shared natural resource that we must all protect.”
While creating new drugs is one way to combat AMR, Marcelin warned that relying only on drug discovery would be “futile,” given the length of time it takes for new medications to be developed, tested and approved.
“The number of new or repurposed antibiotics in late-stage clinical development is very small, and no single antibiotic candidate claims to have activity against those bacteria resistant to all currently available drugs,” she told Fox News Digital.
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“If we can’t make new drugs easily, we can combat resistance by controlling the spread of resistant organisms, which is the principle of infection control.”
To prevent resistance, experts say that antibiotics should be prescribed and used “only when they are indicated, for the optimal duration, and at the right timing and dosing regimen.” (iStock)
To prevent resistance, Marcelin agrees that antibiotics should be prescribed and used “only when they are indicated, for the optimal duration, and at the right timing and dosing regimen.”
She added, “Antibiotics are a shared natural resource that we must all protect, so that we can continue to live in a world where we make medical advances and reduce mortality from bacterial infections.”
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health
Fox News Digital reached out to GRAM researchers requesting comment.
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