Osteopathy for Mothers & Babies

Osteopathy for Babies

The small amounts of movement that exist in the infant skull permit the baby’s head to adapt to the forces of labour. However, when birth is complicated by being unduly slow or fast, or when other complications occur such as the need for forceps delivery the infant head may not fully recover from the distortion. This may result in subtle changes in function leading to problems such as feeding difficulties, colic and disturbed sleep patterns.

The gentle, skilful application of osteopathic treatment by an osteopath experienced in treating babies can often bring about a significant improvement in these distressing cases and is increasingly being considered as a treatment of choice for some conditions caused by difficult or traumatic birth.

Osteopathy for Children

As children grow older, problems may become apparent which may have arisen because of earlier strains or as a result of trauma such as knocks on the head or falls. Recurrent infection in the nose and ears (glue ear) may be due in part to restrictions in the small yet important movements between the various bones of the growing skull.

Many osteopaths experienced in this field also consider that mechanical stresses on the body can be an important factor in cases of developmental delay such as delayed speech, educational difficulties and problems with co-ordination and physical development that have no particular medical diagnosis. Such children often make better progress once osteopathic treatment has been started.

Why an Osteopath?

The practise of osteopathy involves the careful and specific application of a highly developed sense of touch in both diagnosis and treatment of mechanical problems affecting any part of the body.

This combined with a detailed understanding of human anatomy, physiology and pathological processes and a thorough working knowledge of classical clinical examination methods, allows the osteopath to treat patients by releasing and promoting the body’s self healing mechanisms.

Visiting an Osteopath with your child

When you take your child to an osteopath for the first time a full case study will be taken and he or she will be given an examination.

You will normally be asked to remove some of your Childs’ clothing, so a simple series of movements can be performed. The osteopath will then apply a highly developed sense of touch, called palpation, to identify any points of weakness or excessive strain throughout the body.

The osteopath may need additional investigations such as x-ray or blood tests. This will also allow a full diagnosis and suitable treatment plan to be developed for your child. Osteopathy is patient centred; this means the treatment is geared to your child as an individual.

As young people grow up the body frame undergoes a number of changes. Osteopaths with their highly developed sense of touch can help the body framework adjust to the postural demands made on it. This may simply be due to lack of adaptation to a slightly exaggerated spinal curve or to mechanical changes that occur in conditions such as osteochondritis. If these minor problems are left undiagnosed and untreated they may lead to problems later in life.

By analysing, treating and managing problems associated with growth, osteopaths make a major contribution to ensuring that young people become, and stay, fit and healthy.

Teenagers take part in many sporting and recreational activities which carry the risk of sprains and strains. Skilful diagnosis and treatment by the osteopath can prevent problems developing and allow the body’s framework to heal naturally and adjust to the stresses and strains.

For more about helping children with Learning difficulties, such as dyslexia, dyspraxia etc. please see our pages on Sunflower Therapy.

	more osteopathy... Osteopathy The Perrin Technique  Cranial Osteopathy Osteopathy and Pregnancy Osteopathy for Mothers & Babies Osteopathy and Driving Osteopathy and Work Strain Osteopathy and Arthritis How is Osteopathy organised and regulated? Dianne Parker's story Finlay Jones' story

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