CHILDREN'S HEALTH

Cranial Osteopathy for babies

The powerful process of the birth has enormous effect on the baby. A difficult labor may lead to injury, a misshapen head, sleeping difficulties, constant crying, and feeding problems. Osteopathy aims to make the birth safe and natural for you and your baby. Using gentle, safe and proven effective technique, it supports the healthy growth and development of your baby in the womb and after birth. Cranial osteopathy (cranio-sacral therapy) is the modality of choice for treating babies

Osteopaths Commonly Treat Babies With:

Developmental problems
Excessive crying & irritability
Colic
Infantile torticolis
Feeding difficulties / latching
Digestive problems and constipation
Skull deformation or flat head syndrome.
Glue eye
Plagiocephaly (flat head)
Chronic ear infections

How do osteopaths treat babies?

Your Osteopath will make a full assessment of your baby's health, ensuring integrity of the musculoskeletal system. If treatment is required it is a gentle osteopathic mobilisation technique aiming to relieve the structural strains in the bones and soft tissues. Most babies find this an extremely relaxing process.

How do I know if my child needs to see an Osteopath?
Traumatic birth often requires attention, especially if it is a breech birth, forceps or ventouse assisted birth. There are certain symptoms that a parent can look out for; e.g. thumb sucking; pulling on the ear or head bumping are often indications of the child trying to relieve the discomfort.

Osteopathy Children & Teens

Osteopathy recognises the particular stresses on the body undergone by children as they grow from babies to teenagers and has developed an approach to work with children of all ages.

A range of problems may interfere with the normal development of a child. Trauma during pregnancy and birth, childhood accidents and falls, or simply the rapid changes of the bodies grows can create or contribute to problems associated with bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons and nerves. Other issues faced by children include posture problems, inflammatory conditions and sporting injuries.

An osteopath will work with you and your child to plan the best way forward. The osteopath will examine and diagnose problems and before treatment commences will prepare a comprehensive case history of your child. They will complete a physical examination to determine which type of treatment is suitable and if a referral to other health care practitioners is needed. The osteopath will also offer advice on nutrition, general health, posture and exercise.

Osteopathic care is safe, gentle and effective without the use of drugs or surgery. It can assist the young body to adapt to growth related changes, which can help prevent other health problems. It can help a baby grow into a healthy child and, ultimately a healthy young adult.