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Out of every 1,000 births, an average of one to two children are born with brachial plexus birth palsy—commonly referred to as Erb’s palsy. This condition can lead to weakness, total paralysis, and the loss of feeling in one arm, which can cause the limb to rotate or become misaligned in the affected shoulder, arm, wrist, or hand. Although it takes time to recover from Erb’s palsy, many patients do with few lasting effects. If your child has this condition, learn more below and talk to their pediatrician about using physical therapy, massage treatments, and chiropractic care to facilitate their recovery.

What Causes Erb’s Palsy?

The area near your neck and shoulder contains a cluster of nerves called the brachial plexus that runs from the spinal cord to the fingers. If a baby’s neck is stretched due to prolonged labor and breech presentations, those nerves can be stretched, torn, or severed entirely from the spinal cord. This damage causes the symptoms of Erb’s palsy, which are painless but can limit mobility.

Can Erb’s Palsy Be Treated?

chiropractic careTreatment for Erb's palsy varies depending on the type of damage. If the nerve fibers aren't torn, some children fully recover after only a few months, even without treatment. If there was a severe rupture, children might experience lifelong symptoms. A trained pediatrician will monitor the condition to determine the best course of action.

What Are the Treatment Options?

Chiropractic Care & Joint Alignment

The most common way to treat Erb's palsy is through gentle manipulation of the affected joints through a series of exercises, a chiropractor can stimulate healing and improve mobility. They'll also likely recommend exercises for you to use at home, which might include stretching, articulating the joints, and massage. Additionally, a chiropractor may suggest using a brace or splint to hold the arm in an anatomically correct position.

Play & Recreational Therapy

You should let your child use their limb as often as possible. In most cases, the more your child moves their arm, the more likely they are to gain mobility and strength. Let your baby crawl, climb, swim, reach, and throw, and play with them to reinforce these therapeutic movements.

Surgery

Nerves take a long time to heal—sometimes even several years. However, if there aren't signs of recovery after six months of treatment, your doctor might suggest surgery to relieve pressure on the nerves. If you and your doctor decide on this course of action, your child will need a consistent regimen of chiropractic adjustments afterward.

 

If your child has Erb’s palsy or another condition that affects their nerves and musculoskeletal system, schedule a consultation with Hastings Family Chiropractic in Adams County, NE. Doctors Troy Wilson and Hannah Doyle treat patients of all ages with therapeutic massage, chiropractic care, nutritional counseling, and more. To schedule an appointment with a chiropractor, call (402) 463-1955 today. To learn more about their services, visit the holistic center online.

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