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An overview of ostepathy in children
Osteopathic treatment using the cranial approach is very gentle safe and effective in the treatment of babies and children.
In an ideal world cranial osteopaths would like to see all children in post natal period. Treatment (usually 2 or 3 sessions) helps to reduce some of the structural stresses and or strains retained in individual tissues following the birth process. We recommend that children be seen annually to check that they have not picked up any unwanted effects of knocks, bumps, falls etc and too ensure that balance and optimal growth and development in all areas are achieved for the individual child.
It is a common belief that babies and children should have no structural stresses or strains in their bodies, because they are 'so young'. The reality is very different. Birth is one of the most stressful events of our lives. The baby is subjected to enormous forces, as the uterus pushes to expel the baby against the natural resistance of the birth canal. The baby has to turn and twist as it squeezes through the bony pelvis, on its short but highly stimulating and potentially stressful journey. The baby's head has the remarkable ability to absorb these stresses in a normal delivery. In order to reduce the size of the head, the soft bones overlap, bend and warp as the baby descends. The baby's chin is normally well tucked down towards its chest to reduce the presenting diameter of the head. Many babies are born with odd shaped heads as a result. In the first few days, the head can usually be seen to gradually lose the extreme moulded shape, as the baby suckles, cries and yawns. However, this unmoulding process is often incomplete, especially if the birth has been difficult. As a result, the baby may have to live with some very uncomfortable stresses within its head and body.
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