How Subluxation affects Heart Rate in Children

Heart rate was measured when gently applying a mechanical impulse to the upper neck areas of infants aged 12 months and younger. The results unveiled a captivating revelation: in nearly half of these little ones, a distinct transformation in heart rate unfolded, chiefly leading to a slower heart rate. Picture it as a pause in the rhythm of their heartbeats.

Infants in their first three months of existence were particularly responsive, and within some of these infants, a lowering of heart rate was accompanied by apnea, a temporary cessation of breathing. In sum, this study shows that mechanical irritation to the upper neck, which is very common, will affect our nervous systems and could potentially affect our heart rate.

Heart rate changes in response to mild mechanical irritation of the high cervical spinal cord region in infants L E Koch 1, H Koch, S Graumann-Brunt, D Stolle, J-M Ramirez, K-S SaternusForensic Sci Int 2002