Osteopathic treatment of  babies, toddlers and older children is a gentle method of easing problems based on the relationship between the structure and function of all the tissues within the body. All parts of the body, including the cranial bones, need to be in good alignment with each another and be able to move normally.
Birth is one of the most stressful processes that our bodies go through. The head is compressed greatly during birth. The bones of the skull are very soft and mobile and are designed naturally to overlap, accommodating to being squeezed through the birth canal. A long or difficult birth with intervention, however, can take toll on the baby’s head, neck and spine as can a very speedy delivery
Although many babies have oddly shaped or bruised heads, usually this rights itself after birth – this ‘unmoulding’ process is helped by breathing, sucking, crying, yawning and a ‘memory’ held within the bones of ‘where they should be’. We consider that a prolonged birth, ventouse or forceps delivery and foetal distress can all affect this ‘unmoulding’ process.
Sometimes these stresses are not fully resolved – babies may cry for hours on end, be difficult to put down or sleep fitfully. Some of the usual childhood ailments may be contributed to by unresolved intrauterine or birth strains as well as the usual childhood mild illnesses, falls, etc. Some patterns within the body show up as the child grows older but may have some roots in these unresolved problems – like a torticollis (wry neck) may be present at birth from how a baby was positioned in the womb – this can contribute to the development of plagiocephaly (flat head) in that child.
After taking a case history, finding out about the birth and performing a gentle structural examination, treatment is given by applying specific gentle release techniques on the head, torso, pelvis or limbs to encourage the body to release strain patterns and return to a more balanced, more normal state. Gently releasing any tensions in a baby’s body can often relieve discomfort that might otherwise be put down to fretfulness.
Parents consult paediatric osteopaths for various reasons. Some parents bring their newborns ‘just for a check up’, others because they have been recommended by their health visitor, GP, NCT or friends or because their newborn has had a difficult or long birth.
Osteopaths see children with long term problems; here, we are trying to help these children be as well as possible and function to their fullest ability with whatever health issues they have. Just because a child has a syndrome or a perinatal injury, does not mean they may not benefit from osteopathic treatment for muscle spasm and pain, or treatment for their jaw or neck pain from tooth grinding. Similarly, the child with sensory processing disorders may find their growing pains or backache much more debilitating than their peers.
Thus we may see an infant or child for 3 – 6 sessions to resolve a short-term problem or on an ongoing basis, depending on what that child needs. Many recent problems often resolve quickly, some chronic conditions do best with regular check-ups
Some babies who are fractious, irritable and unsettled have neck ache and can’t relax or settle into a deep sleep, other babies may have teething discomfort or digestive problems – these may benefit from gentle osteopathic treatment. As children get older, minor sports related injuries, and other joint pains and back or neck aches may benefit from treatment.