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Babies & Children

How Can Cranial Osteopathy help my baby?

It is a common belief that babies and children should have no structural stresses or strains in their bodies, however the reality is very different.

The birth of a baby is one of the most stressful events of our lives. A baby’s skull is made up of a number of bones that can overlap and have a remarkable ability to absorb the stresses of a normal delivery. However, the pressures of a complicated birth, rapid labour, forceps/vantouse delivery can result in the baby’s head not fully recovering from the distortion. As a result the baby may have to live with some very uncomfortable stresses within its head and body.

The sooner any symptoms and tensions are detected and treated the better, and most importantly early treatment can also help prevent problems from developing in later life!

Cranial osteopathy can gently detect the problem and then treat, resulting in much happier babies…and mums and dads!

How can Cranial Osteopathy help my child?

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 computer games or carrying school bags, can also place extra demands on a child’s body; sometimes leading postural problems, which if left untreated may lead to pain and functional difficulties later in life.

Cranial osteopathy can help with those musculoskeletal problems, aches and pains.

What happens during treatment?

Generally patients remain fully clothed during treatment. The osteopath will examine your cranial rhythm, using their highly trained sense of touch, to discover the overall condition of your body, whether it is healthy, stressed or tired; and to identify what stresses and strains your body is under at present and what tensions it may be carrying as a result of your past physical traumas; the effects of emotional stress and your general vitality are very important.

Treatment is non-invasive, using extremely gentle contact with the head and base of the spine; no uncomfortable pressure is involved. Using subtle manipulative techniques the osteopath uses their hands to release the stresses and strains and improve tissue mobility.

You may experience a variety of sensations such as, soft pressure, warmth, changes in your breathing pattern, or a sensation that tension is being drawn out of the body and a deep sense of relaxation; these sensations often occur as the involuntary mechanism is being unblocked.

Aftercare

Often after treatment your baby or child may be very relaxed and sleep well. Others have a burst of energy and then have a good night’s sleep. However occasionally children feel unsettled and tearful, but this is only temporary and happens when mechanical changes are occurring, and rarely lasts more than 48 hours.

As an adult, you may experience similar effects to a baby/child; feeling very relaxed and sleeping well following treatment, or feeling full of energy and invigorated; but sometimes because the treatment is so deep, you can feel quite emotional or tearful as your body begins to rebalance. As with babies, these responses usually last no more than 48 hours and are quite normal. We will advise you of the best way to cope with these changes.

Nina Torina - Lifestyle Medicine

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