An osteopathic perspective

Spring and early summer are often times when children have respiratory tract infections or start to suffer from hayfever. They frequently have coughs, colds with very runny noses and some children have a mild post viral wheeze.

During this period when the tree and grass pollens are in the air, children can be very susceptible to runny noses and colds. Babies and toddlers that are teething have constant runny noses as teething (from an osteopathic perspective) seems to reduce the drainage through the face. This is partly due to the pressure on the membranes of the head caused as the teeth slowly break through the gums. They are also more susceptible to the colds and coughs picked up from siblings or nursery at this time. So teething, a real time of difficulty and discomfort for some little ones, is often accompanied by a runny nose, a snuffle and constant dribbling.

Some babies and children  catch every little cough and cold going, have a mild post viral wheeze or tickly cough and may struggle to regain their former happy disposition following these.

If, for example, the head has suffered some compression due to being tightly packed in the womb or due to a long or difficult delivery, the bones of the skull may retain some compression or distortion of the bones that house the ears or the air sinuses. This may make a toddler or child more susceptible to recurrent ear or sinus infections. Facial bones may be compressed if a babe has been 'back to back' in the womb or if there has been a brow presentation or, occasionally, if forceps have been used. Teething also puts strain on the sinuses as the major face sinus is in the maxillary bone - under your 'cheek bones' where the top teeth emerge. Falls onto the face, braces, crowded teeth can all add to the strains placed on the bones of the middle face and contribute to chronic nasal congestion and mouth breathing.

Osteopathy is a method of diagnosis and treatment based on the relationship between the structure and function of all the tissues within the body. Paediatric osteopathy is the application of very gentle osteopathic techniques for babies and children. All parts of the body need to be in good alignment with each other and be able to move normally. The paediatric osteopath is working to improve blood supply, nutrition and lymphatic drainage to the whole body.

Osteopathy focuses on reducing restrictions and distortions, releasing strains and encouraging movement within the cranium, the face and the whole body framework. The application of very light, focused pressure encourages the bones or compressed tissue to release. As restrictions release, the osteopath can sense an improvement in how the body moves and works harmoniously,  as the child grows and develops.

Treatment of children is usually undertaken by osteopaths with a post-graduate qualification in paediatric osteopathy. For more information about adult and paediatric osteopathy, call the Amersham Osteopathic Clinic on 01494 434651.

Karen Carroll.
Consultant, Osteopathic Centre for Children, London.

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