Chiropractor temporarily banned from treating kids

The video of the baby's chiropractic treatment had sparked concern among some healthcare professionals. Photo / YouTube

A Melbourne chiropractor at the centre of a viral online video showing him cracking a four-day-old baby's spine has been banned from treating children.

Parkdale chiropractor Ian Rossborough's medical registration reveals details of an undertaking which temporarily stops him from performing "any chiropractic treatment" of patients up to the age of 18 until June 2.

An online video of Dr Rossborough manipulating a four-day-old baby's back received more than a million views last month and prompted calls for a crackdown on rogue operators who cracked the spines of babies and children to treat illnesses including autism, ADHD and ear infections.

The baby Dr Rossborough was treating suffered from colic and reflux.

Victoria's health minister Jill Hennessy said she was "physically shaken" while watching the six-minute video, and wrote to the Chiropractic Board of Australia and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency calling for action.

Australian Medical Association president Brian Owler was among critics, calling the practice "not only ridiculous but unsafe".

President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners told news.com.au there was "absolutely no basis" for this "outlandish" treatment on a newborn baby.

Dr Rossborough has previously defended his actions, saying he was "not putting a force in the body that the baby can't handle".

He has denied he actually "cracked" the baby's back, and defended "reducing the pressure in the fluid within a joint".

Dr Rossborough could face tougher penalties, with the Chiropractic Board of Australia expected to hold a hearing into his conduct on or before June 2.