Osteopathy for Babies and Children
The birth process is one of the most stressful events of our lives. Considerable forces come to bear on the baby from the contracting uterus as he/she passes down the birth canal; very fast or lengthy deliveries and the use of forceps or ventouse/vacuum can increase the strains experienced. Premature babies and those born by caesarean will manifest different stress and strain patterns. Normal distortion of the baby’s head during the birth process is usually improved during the first months of life through crying and suckling. However, it is not uncommon for these compressive strain patterns to be retained and they can remain deeply rooted in the body. These patterns can be related to various illnesses and dysfunctions later in life.
Osteopathic treatments can be very effective in the treatment of birth patterns. Osteopathic manual practitioners use very gentle and non-invasive rebalancing techniques with babies and children. Through treatment, osteopathic manual practitioners encourage harmonious function and development of the growing body’s systems, helping children to grow into their full potential. Examples of conditions treated or helped in babies and children are as follows:
Babies:
- colic, unsettled babies
- difficulty gaining weight
- difficulty feeding, weak suck
- constipation, reflux, wind
- torticollis
- cranial molding
- congestion in eye/nose areas
- babies who fail to thrive
Children:
- acute/chronic ear infections
- learning/concentration difficulties, ADHD
- asthma, eczema, allergies
- sleep disturbances
- chronic immune problems, including recurrent tonsillitis, sinusitis, cough, cold
- developmental delay, including speech and coordination /dyspraxia
- headaches, migraines
- injury/strain from falls
- muscle/joint/back pain
- autism
- supportive to orthodontic treatment
- cerebral palsy
- musculoskeletal conditions
- epilepsy/seizures
