Osteopathy is a safe and natural approach to healthcare for all life 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.
When you take your child to an Osteopath for the first time a full case history 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 observed.
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 allow a full diagnosis and suitable treatment plan to be developed for your child. Osteopathy is patient centered, this means the treatment is geared for your child as an individual.
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 a forceps delivery the infants head may not recover from the distortion. This may result in subtle changes in function leading to problems such as feeding difficulties, colic and disturbed sleeping 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 a difficult or traumatic birth.
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 ear (glue ear) may be due in part to 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 coordination and physical development that have no particular medical diagnosis. Such children often make better progress once osteopathic treatment has been started.
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 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 in later 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 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.