Many believe that babies and children are too young and flexible to suffer from structural stresses and strains, but the reality is they can. Factors such as difficult births or assisted deliveries (e.g., forceps) can cause tension in babies, while children may experience restrictions from accidents, falls, or neck and back pain from excessive device use. Other common issues include posture problems, inflammatory conditions, and sports injuries.
The Osteopathic Approach for Children
Osteopathy recognises the unique stresses that children experience as they grow from babies to teenagers. Osteopaths have developed a specialised approach to work with children of all ages.
When you visit an osteopath with your child, they will take a full medical history, conduct a thorough examination, and ask age-appropriate questions to ensure a comprehensive understanding of your child’s condition.
Together with you, the osteopath will determine the most suitable treatment plan and, if necessary, refer your child to other healthcare professionals. Osteopaths can also offer valuable advice on nutrition, posture, and exercise to promote overall health and wellbeing.
Osteopathy May Help Children With:
- Back pain and headaches
- Growing pains in muscles, bones, and joints
- Postural issues
- Sports injuries
- Physical effects of cerebral palsy
- Mechanical restrictions associated with asthma
Osteopathy for Babies: Gentle Care for Delicate Bodies
Osteopathic treatment uses a range of techniques depending on the patient’s needs and condition. For babies, osteopaths use light touch to work with tissues, aiming to resolve any restrictions in how these tissues function.
Osteopathy May Help Babies With:
- Torticollis – Restrictions in neck movement, where the head may be twisted or favour one side, potentially leading to flat spots on the skull.
- Feeding Issues – Mechanical restrictions that affect the baby’s ability to open their mouth or produce a coordinated sucking action.
- Physical Tensions – Tensions that may contribute to irritability and discomfort.
Osteopathic care offers gentle and effective treatment to help babies and children thrive. By addressing structural imbalances early, osteopathy supports healthy growth and development.