Children
Each child has their own unique story to tell of their short life. They would have been influenced by an enormous amount of factors. Starting with the health of their parents before birth and the wide range of physical, chemical, nutritional and emotional influences during the nine months in the womb. Many people believe that babies and children are too young and pliable to suffer from structural stresses and strains, but in reality they do. Birth itself can be a very stressful time for the baby, both physically and emotionally. If there are difficulties and complications with the birth, this can put immense strain on certain structure within the baby’s body. Left untreated, these can cause problems in later life.
Osteopathy can help alleviate many problems suffered by babies and children, examples of these include:
- Poor sleeping patterns
- Feeding difficulties
- Irritability
- Tongue tie issues
- Colic & wind
- Behavioural problems
- Musculoskeletal problems
- Constant ear infections, including glue ear
- Headaches
- Sinus problems
- promoting good posture
How are children treated?
A number of types of Osteopathic treatment are suitable in the treatment of children and babies. These might range from extremely gentle techniques to alleviate symptoms in the colicky baby. To a different approach in the case of an older child suffering from a sports injury. Only those techniques deemed appropriate at the time will be applied and each treatment plan will be discussed with the parent in advance.
The natural birth process can be traumatic. The thick muscular walls of the uterus squeeze the babies head through the birth canal where it has to make adjustments to turn and twist its way out of the bony pelvis. In certain situations ventouse or forceps may be used to assist with the delivery resulting in added compression to the soft skull.
Some babies cope well with the experience and resolve any cranial mouldings themselves by the usual crying and sucking. Others however, seem more unsettled and need some help.
Osteopaths are trained to take a through case history and carry out physical examinations to recognise when a presenting complaint needs medical attention or referral. For a child that is otherwise healthy, gentle manipulation in the form of skilled, light pressure from a cranial osteopath can help to restore structural balance and a sense of wellbeing so that the child can continue to grow and develop without hindrance.
“Arnie had his last session with his wonderful Osteopath Niki today! (She works on Humans, Horses and Dogs! It’s honestly worked wonders for Arnie, we’ve gone from a truly unhappy baby to a happy baby boy (well until he is hungry or tired!). Niki has straightened his body as he was bent to the left (like a banana), given him the ability to move his neck both ways (he was only able to look to the right), given him a soft squishy tummy from a hard bloated one (sounded like a drum), eased his congestion in his nose (he’d sounded like he had a blocked nose since birth!) Plus many other things. All due to the stress and speed of his birth. I would recommend anyone with a baby to see an osteopath (if their is nothing for them to work on they wont rip you off!) I had to admit i was a bit sceptical before but I’m converted now! Thank you Niki!”
ASHTON MCLACHLAN
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