Osteopathy – Hands-on Therapy for Your Child

‘As the twig is bent, so grows the tree’ ~ William Garner Sutherland (1873 – 1954), founder of cranial osteopathy.

- Dr Guy Ashburner

Osteopathic philosophy is based on the idea that the body works best when it moves as nature intended.

FROM THE BEGINNING

Birthing is physically demanding for the baby due to structural adaptive changes that take place. These structural changes are usually, but not always, self-correcting soon after birth, leaving behind varying degrees of potentially problematic restrictions.

During birth the bones of the skull overlap and a significant amount of force goes though the baby's neck, potentially irritating the nerves in the upper neck. These nerves interconnect with digestive function as well as muscles and joints of the head and neck, potentially contributing to issues such as colic or constipation, headaches and neck pain. Limited neck movement in a baby can lead to many other issues, including feeding problems and flat spots on the head. Pressure on the forming skull can also lead to trouble sleeping, irritability and recurrent ear infections.

As children grow, other problems may become apparent due to earlier stresses and strains and the rough and tumble of childhood. The rapid growth spurt of puberty, the effects of sports activities, hunching over computers or carrying school bags, can also place extra demands on a child's body which, if left untreated, may lead to pain and functional difficulties later in life.

ROLE OF THE PAEDIATRIC OSTEOPATH

For these reasons, a visit to a paediatric osteopath is worth considering after birth or later. Health is the most important thing that we wish for children.