Sitting, Part 5

We have been encouraging Cayman to reach the milestone of sitting unsupported since January. That is when she sat all by herself for the first time. It was only brief but it was long enough that she was proving her strength and ability to do it.

But then she regressed. She would cry and resist every time.

It's been a mystery.

We have done exercises, stretches, and massage. A set of x-rays were ordered and ruled out the theory of any spine or hip malformations.

So last week, I took Cayman to her first appointment with a chiropractor.

A low quality cell phone picture because I forgot my camera.

I was a little nervous about it. The thought of having her tiny spine manipulated made my own back cringe. But with everything else we have tried with little gain, I thought it was too important not to explore this modality for her.

The appointments have gone great. The doctor is a wonderful, gentle man. He talks to Cayman and watches that he gains her trust before he sets about his work.

He discovered the same shift in spine and hip alignment as Cayman's physical therapist did.

He uses a device called an activator to adjust Cayman's spine.
The activator is a tension rod with a rubber end. With a click of the release button the rubber end quickly, but gently delivers a light, controlled force to Cayman's spine.

At the first appointment, Cayman thought it was hilarious. The first click startled her, making her jump but then she laughed after each click of the activator, completely relieving mommy's jitters.

Cayman will continue to see the chiropractor a couple times a week and we are hopeful that it will help her become more comfortable in sitting unsupported.

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Cayman's physical therapist, Jodi, had a new idea on how to help Cayman sit independently.

A Benik trunk brace.

Front

Back

This brace was made for a little girl that out grew the need for it so the family donated it to the center. Jodi thought it looked like the right size for Cayman and it is!

I am so grateful to the family that donated it. These braces can come with a high price but because of their thoughtfulness Cayman can use their brace for free.

Since the addition of this new body brace and the chiropractic treatments, Cayman has sat independently for nearly 30 seconds. It has not been an event that she has duplicated again but we still count it as progress. And I even got it on video!

Here is Cayman's exciting progress in sitting...

sitting, Part I
sitting, Part II
sitting, Part III
sitting, Part IV