Babies and children

Why Take Babies (and Children) to an Osteopath?

 

It is a widely held belief that children and babies experience no structural stress and tension in their bodies because they are so young and flexible. Practice tells a different story.

 

The birth of a baby is one of the most stressful events of its life. The baby is subjected to enormous forces from the uterus that propel it forward against the natural resistance of the birth canal. The baby must turn and rotate while being pushed through the bony pelvis, on its short but remarkably stimulating and potentially stressful journey into the outside world.

 

The baby's head has the ability to deform and change in response to the stress of a normal delivery. The distortions of the head resulting from birth usually disappear later in a very natural way.

 

However, there are a number of reasons why delivery can be difficult and stressful for both mother and baby, resulting in the baby being unable to fully overcome the effects of birth. If the stress of birth persists and is not resolved, the baby must adapt to this stress and strain during its growth. These are so-called movement blockages or loss of mobility at the level of various bodily structures. These can cause your baby physical discomfort, making him or her feel unwell, or develop in an asymmetrical way.

 

If the baby's body becomes twisted or severely overtaxed at birth, the body will also grow in a twisted manner and every structure in the body will have to adapt to these distortions. The degree of distortion is related to the severity of the original strain. Evidence of these distortions can be read in people's faces. Careful study of the face will very often reveal signs of asymmetry. Asymmetry can also be observed in other parts of the body.

 

Unresolved stress at the time of birth and the body's adaptations to it underlie many problems and conditions both in childhood and well into adulthood.

 

This stress can usually be treated very quickly after delivery, but becomes progressively more difficult to treat the longer it has existed.

Many of the problems osteopaths see in their patients, both children and adults, have their origins in unresolved birth stress. The information that follows is therefore centred around the birth process and addresses the effects this can have on babies and children. Many osteopaths believe that babies should be examined shortly after birth.

 

Osteopathic Examination and Treatment

 

During the first consultation with an osteopath, a complete anamnesis (the patient's medical history) is taken. This includes information about the pregnancy, the delivery and labour, the expulsion, illnesses, accidents, or other notable events in the child's life.

 

The treatment is often so gentle that it often appears as though the osteopath is doing nothing more than placing their hands on the child. In reality, a large arsenal of treatment approaches and techniques is being used.

 

A treatment by an osteopath will normally include a period of observational feeling, a period during which the stress and strains in the baby or child are identified. Specific manipulative techniques will then be applied, sometimes gently and tenderly, sometimes fairly firmly.

 

The chosen treatment approach is applied to the baby or child where needed, allowing the body's already present healing forces to influence the release of stress.

 

Children generally enjoy their treatment and often fall asleep during it. However, if the compression and stress in the body are extreme, the release may be uncomfortable for the child as they become more focused on the stressed areas. This is temporary and quickly gives way to relaxation for the child.

 

Does the Child Need to Lie Still During Treatment?

 

Children are naturally curious and active, and it is quite a lot to ask of a child under five to lie still during treatment. Osteopaths have therefore become skilled at treating children who are mobile, and the child's position should therefore be a flexible choice.

 

Young babies, for example, can be treated during breastfeeding or bottle feeding, which makes things considerably easier. From 6 months to 4 years, any approach that is effective is used. Many osteopaths use toys, books, and tapes to listen to in order to entertain children during treatment. Most children older than five can lie still and listen to stories or a tape.

 

Parents and carers should be prepared to keep the child occupied during treatment so that the osteopath can concentrate on the treatment.

 

Preparing the Child for Treatment

 

Children are generally very curious by nature when it comes to new experiences, including a first consultation with an osteopath. Parents or carers can contribute to a successful treatment by following the advice below.

 

- It is advisable for parents and child to arrive in good time before the treatment, so they can take their time and calmly prepare for what is to come.

 

- Children should be told in advance who they are going to see and why, and that the osteopath will be touching and feeling various parts of their body. Some children are apprehensive about this, but it is rare to encounter a child who cannot be distracted so that treatment can continue without them noticing.

 

- Bring favourite toys, books, and tapes. Older children generally appreciate new toys and books very much; younger ones prefer to stick with the familiar.

 

Are There Any Adverse Reactions?

 

Reactions to treatment vary from individual to individual. Usually children feel well after their treatment and are calm while their symptoms gradually disappear. Sometimes they are very tired because their body's energy has been used for the healing process. Occasionally children have a burst of energy afterwards as they enjoy the release of tension and stress from their body. Occasionally they may feel uncomfortable; this is usually the case when the release of the trapped compression has not been complete. It is not always possible for them to release all the stress at once, particularly when the compression is fairly severe. These reactions are only temporary.

 

How Many Treatments Are Needed?

 

This can vary, but for a baby the average number is between one and four. This too can vary depending on the severity of the problem.

 

When to Treat?

 

The best time to begin treatment in babies is a few days immediately after delivery. This is the period during which the process of unfolding is normally most active. It is never too early to begin treatment in a baby. The effects of birth stress are best treated as early as possible. The longer these strains persist, the longer it takes for the body to release them. However, a great deal can be done for these young patients, particularly those under five years of age.

 

As osteopaths, we often encounter the consequences of trapped birth compression in our adult patients; therefore it is never too late to treat.

 

Treating babies shortly after birth is of the utmost importance in the practice of preventive medicine and can allow both mother and baby to recover from one of the most demanding experiences of their lives.

 

Do All Osteopaths Treat Children?

 

Most osteopaths treat children for spine-related problems and conditions such as joint complaints using traditional techniques. In principle, all osteopaths are equipped through their training to treat children and babies. However, there are osteopaths trained through specialised programmes for the osteopathic treatment of children.

 

Paul Smolders is also specialised in osteopathy for children. If you are unsure whether the osteopath in your area treats children and babies, it may be useful to discuss this with them first before making an appointment, and also to discuss whether they believe they can help your child.

 

Indications for Osteopathic Treatment of Babies and Children

 

Below is a list of indications suitable for osteopathic treatment. This is naturally not exhaustive but is intended to give an impression of what may be considered for osteopathic treatment.

 

 - Intestinal cramps or colic and acute abdominal pain

 - Excessive crying in newborns

 - Excessive vomiting in newborns

 - Plagiocephaly (asymmetric fusion of the sagittal, coronal, or lambdoid sutures) or a tilted head

 - Positional preference or forced posture of the head

 - Asthma

 - Eczema and allergies

 - Ear, nose, and throat problems such as excessive sinus infections, colds, middle ear infections, tonsil and adenoid inflammation

 - Behavioural and learning problems such as hyperactivity, dyslexia, dyspraxia

 - Epilepsy, cerebral palsy

 - Bedwetting

 - Spinal conditions such as scoliosis (curvature of the spine)

 - Dental development

 - Before, during, and after orthodontic treatment