— Foundation for Paediatric Osteopathy
Sometimes events during the pregnancy can impact the mother and baby, such as accidents, illnesses, surgery, or even just a growing baby getting itself in the wrong position or an uncomfortable position for the mother. Cranial Osteopathy can ease the stress of these events.
The process of birth can be overwhelming for mother and baby and it is highly recommended that they come for treatment as soon as the mother feels able to after the birth. This way any condition can be dealt with quickly at their onset and more readily resolved.
In a newborn baby, the bones of the skull have not hardened yet, and are made up of cartilage and membrane.
This is to allow the skull bones to overlap and mold during birth.
This picture shows the sutures of the skull - the joins between the different bones which make up the skull.
Infant problems such as colic, sucking problems, breathing difficulties, restlessness, and irritability may result from imbalances in the cranium caused during the birth process.
A Paediatric Osteopath is an Osteopath who has a Diploma in Paediatric Osteopathy (DPO) from the Foundation for Paediatric Osteopathy. The word paediatric refers to that branch of medicine which deals with the treatment of children. Ideally, every baby should be checked by a Paediatric Osteopath shortly after birth to check for and treat any restrictions or asymmetries in the baby's skull and body that may lead to problems later on.
The earlier the treatment begins the quicker problems can be resolved leading to fewer treatments and a happier baby. This may sound obvious, but a baby who is not in pain will be a happier baby.
Sometimes problems don't become apparent until a child gets older, for example developmental delays, or a squint or lazy eye. Teething pains are often worse in a baby who was delivered by forceps. A toddler may fall many times onto his or her bottom whilst learning to walk, and the repeated shock absorbed through the pelvis may cause problems sleeping.
Of course Osteopathy cannot change the diagnosis of children born with a congenital condition,
but it can alleviate some of the physical problems associated with that condition. For example, babies and children with Down's syndrome often have problems breathing because of narrowed sinuses.
For best results, treatment should begin before the age of 5 years as after this the bones start to harden and the stresses and asymmetries caused by birth cannot always be completely eliminated.
Profound changes take place in a child's body as they grow. Changes occur physically, mentally and emotionally especially from the ages of 10 to 16 years as children make the transition to adulthood. Treatment can help the central nervous system and the hormonal system to work in a more balanced way.
It is never too early and hardly ever too late to have treatment. Problems can be identified before they become obvious and more difficult to change. Early treatment will help establish the best possible outcome.
On average, 2 to 6 treatments are sufficient to address the main presenting problem. This varies according to the severity of the problem and the age of the child.
Once any fundamental problems have been resolved,
I recommend regular check ups every 3 months for babies,
and every 6 months for children to
help with teething and growth
and to resolve the effects of any falls, injuries and illnesses which are an inevitable part of childhood.
Cranial treatment often brings a feeling of deep relaxation and babies will often fall asleep during treatment. Cranial Osteopathy is so gentle that it is safe and suitable for people of all ages, especially newborn babies and children, and also the elderly or people with fragile or acutely painful conditions.
Cranial Osteopathy is better known in the U.S.A., where the treatment technique originated. It is becoming much better known now and more widely available in the U.K. as more osteopaths are realising how profoundly effective it is and are willing to study and use it, and more patients ask for it.