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Osteopathy for babies and children

Osteopathy is a safe and natural approach to health care for all life’s stages. Osteopaths are increasingly being asked to treat babies and children for complaints attributable to mechanical strains acquired before birth or during the birth process.

It is a common belief that children and babies should have no structural stresses or strains in their body, because they are so young and flexible. However the reality is very different.

During the birth of a baby, their body is subject to enormous forces as the womb contracts to deliver the baby against the natural resistance of the birth canal. The small amounts of movement that exist in the infant skull permit the baby’s head to adapt to the forces of labour. However the birth process can potentially be a stressful journey into the outside world. If the birth is particularly difficult, stressful, unduly long or fast or when other complications occur such as the need for forceps/ventouse or C-section delivery then the baby may struggle to fully resolve the stresses or strains within its body. 

As a result many babies are born with an odd head shape particularly if forceps or a ventouse is used to aid delivery. Normally this head shape or moulding will resolve itself over the first few days of life as the baby breathes, cries and suckles. However if the baby is unable to resolve the stresses and strains within their body it can lead to subtle changes in function leading to problems further down the line for example the baby being unable to fully turn its head one way or the other, feeding difficulties, physically uncomfortable and therefore unable to settle, disturbed sleep patterns or expressing symptoms of colic.

As the child grows older, problems may become apparent which may have arisen due to earlier strains or trauma such as falls or knocks to the body or head. Recurrent infection in the nose and ears (glue ear) may be due in part to restrictions in the small yet important movements between various bones of the growing skull. As children grow older the body frame undergoes a number of changes. Bones and muscles adapt, growing pains may result from a very rapid growth spurt, increasing sporting activity or heavy school bags.

Some of the conditions that babies and children frequently suffer with and often respond well to Osteopathic treatment:

  • Colic
  • Crying, unsettled babies
  • Constipation
  • Feeding difficulties
  • Sickness and wind
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Learning difficulties
  • Behavioural problems
  • Ear Infections and glue ear
  • Asthma
  • Knocks, falls, sprains and strains
  • Sport and dance related injuries

By diagnosing, treating and managing the problems it is possible to help babies and children become and stay at their optimum health and fitness. Osteopathic treatment is a safe and effective approach to correct the stresses and strains held within the baby’s or child’s body.

Cranial Osteopathy is commonly used in the treatment of babies, in which gentle pressure is applied on different areas of their body. In the treatment of children a combination of Osteopathic treatment approaches may be used.

To understand more about Cranial Osteopathy, click here >

If you require more information or would like a chat with the Osteopath to find out if your child or baby could benefit from Osteopathy please do get in touch.