Children and babies may receive osteopathic treatment depending on their own individual problems.
By treating and releasing strains and sprains within the spine, muscles and connective tissue, often with very gentle cranial techniques, an osteopath may be able to help relieve some of the symptoms associated with conditions such as:
– feeding and attachment issues
– sleeping issues
– favouring one side to turn
Through treating the muscles and joint dysfunctions in the neck and cranium, this can aim to reduce stiffness and increase movement to alter:
– head shape asymmetry (plagiocephaly)
– positional asymmetry
– too stiff
– too floppy
…… and many more
By addressing these dysfunctions within the musculoskeletal system, the body may be able to function more efficiently, decreasing severity in symptoms.
Birth, although a natural process, can be an incredible strain on both mum and baby.
There are a lot of physical stresses that the baby (and mum!) are subjected to in an uncomplicated delivery, including twisting and rotation of the head, massive compressive forces, and then total body squishing as the baby exits the canal. Not to mention the moulding strains that can be produced if forceps, ventuese (vacuum) or even caesarean are required.
As a bent twig grows into a twisted tree, a structural strain in a baby, even with no apparent symptoms, can cause asymmetry and structural misalignment as the child grows.
Not all osteopaths treat babies – they are not just little adults. Gentle techniques, in particular cranial osteopathy, are used in treating babies, and it is important for us to know what we can treat and what needs to be referred to a paediatrician.
At Be Well Clinic, we take pride in providing care for your little one, and regularly update our knowledge with paediatric and obstetric courses aimed to keep our skills current and advanced.