Osteopathy For Children
Paediatric Osteopathy
“As the twig is bent, so it grows” - an important concept in Pediatric Osteopathy. Children are not nearly as resilient to injury as we think, and strains and structural tensions early in life become incorporated into the growing body. Fortunately, children have a profound life force which can allow rapid results from osteopathic intervention.
Conditions We Help:
Concerned parents seek osteopathy for children and youth for a myriad of conditions :
unsettled babies
colic
sucking or feeding concerns
difficult digestion
wry neck (torticollis)
flattened head (plagiocephaly)
disturbed sleep
ear infections
learning and attentional difficulties
chronic immune issues
dental and orthodontic concerns
scoliosis
sports injuries
multiple falls of childhood.
Client Testimonial
“ I went to see my osteopathic practitioner as my (2 month old) son’s cranium had an asymmetry and he had difficulty turning his head. After seeing our practitioner 3 times my son could turn his head right and left easily.”
-Sarah L.
Plagiocephaly Or Flattened Head Syndrome:
The position that your baby adopts in the womb, a birth that is too rapid, prolonged, or assisted by forceps or vacuum can place considerable forces on a newborn’s head. Your baby’s head has the ability to absorb these stresses normally, and with sucking, yawning and crying, the misshapen heads that normally present self-correct. Paediatric Osteopathy can be successful when the presentation of cranial molding (misshapen head) is more prolonged, or in cases of plagiocephaly (flattened head syndrome). Your newborn’s head is partly bone and partly cartilaginous affording considerable flexibility to pass through the birth canal. The cranial base, where the neck and head meet, is commonly the site of compression, distortion and strain, and it is through here that the vagus, accessory and hypoglossal nerves pass.
Nerve Affecting Colic, Torticollis, Latching On And Vision:
Vagus nerve dysfunction can affect digestion, colic, swallowing, gag reflex, and spitting up/vomiting. The vagus nerve rules the parasympathetic nervous system and is our “rest and digest” system. The accessory nerve supplies the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles implicated in torticollis (wry neck) andplagiocephaly (flattened head). The hypoglossal nerve supplies the tongue and can impact latching on, sucking, swallowing and speech. Dysfunction of this nerve can lead to poor habits of tongue thrust and dental bite occlusion issues. Osteopathic Practitioners pay close attention to the sphenoid bone as it houses the 4 eye nerves responsible for vision and the function of the eye muscles.
Client Testimonial
“ After feeds my 2 month old was unsettled, straining and arching her back too. She would only feed on the left side. Our practitioner was calm and gentle when assessing and treating our baby. She helped release some tension around her neck, jaw and tummy. The feeding started to improve after a few sessions and she seemed a lot more comfortable after feeds.
-Annabelle M.
Recurrent Ear Infection Treatment And Orthodontics:
Cranial strain patterns, and the more horizontally directed eustachian tubes in small children can leave them more susceptible to ear infections. Parents hoping to avoid antibiotics, unless deemed medically necessary, seek Paediatric Osteopathy for recurrent ear infection treatment. Mobilizing the temporal bone re-establishes efficient drainage of the ear and improves function of the auditory canal. Poor habits like tongue thrusting can deprive the roof of the mouth of normal tongue stimulation, and can result in developmental issues of the maxillae, to which the upper teeth attach. Bite and jaw issues can manifest as the child grows. Cranial osteopathic techniques can mobilize and realign the jaw, and if orthodontia is necessary later, osteopathy can expedite matters and help the cranium accommodate the changes
Sensory Processing Issues:
Auditory hypersensitivity, vestibular and visual issues, digestive woes and chronic immune difficulties are frequent challenges faced by our more vulnerable children with sensory processing issues. In Paediatric Osteopathy, treatment of the associated cranial nerves can help, in conjunction with a multidisciplinary team approach. The vagus nerve rules the parasympathetic ‘rest and digest” system, and according to the Polyvagal Theory of Stephen Porges, the ventral vagus branch is capable of calming us down by placing the brake on the sympathetic “fight or flight” system and promoting social engagement.
Falls And Tumbles:
It goes without saying that the normal falls and tumbles of childhood, and sporting injuries, can take their toll on the structure and function of a child as he/she is growing. Periodic consultations with an Osteopathic Practitioner can help nip these problems in the bud.