Baby with Hyperactive Gag Reflex.

I saw a baby this week with a hyperactive gag reflex, unable to feed properly as a result. The gag reflex is controlled by the 9th cranial nerve, which is located at the brain-stem around the base of the skull. On examination the child had a significant tilt at the occiput (base of skull), limited left head rotation, and the Atlas (first vertebrae) was rotated to the right. I adjusted the occiput and the atlas and within minutes the baby was feeding normally, the mother was most relieved.