Paediatric Pain, Eliminate Your Baby's Pain!

Help eliminate your baby and child's pain
and discomfort safely and easily

Paediatric Physical Therapy i.e.Osteopathy, Chiropractic etc, understands children's bodies undergo stresses just like adult bodies, but the resulting symptoms in children can be a little different.

These stresses and strains can be "normal" as in a strain from the birthing process that hasn't self resolved, or due to an incident/accident that doesn't seem major at the time (i.e. falling on bottom, knocking head etc).
In adults, strains tend to show themselves as pain, headaches, tiredness etc, and we are usually able to identify the feeling. Babies and children with strains may present with crying, irritability, behavioural issues and so forth rather than pain.

Cranial osteopathy is ideal for babies and children because of its effective gentleness, with most conditions improving within 3-4 sessions. Light pressure is applied where necessary to release stresses and tensions in the child's body.

Most children feel relaxed during and after treatment, giving a good night's sleep. Some may have a burst of energy after a session, before setting down. As children's nervous systems are particularly amenable to osteopathy, we find that early treatment can prevent many difficulties later in life.
Osteopathy helps resolve many infancy & childhood issues

Birth Trauma
A newborn's cranium compresses as a normal part of the birth process. Difficult deliveries, as well as normal deliveries can affect the expansion of these bones. Gentle cranial osteopathy for babies can often resolve this situation in a few treatments.

Colic/reflux
Babies with colic usually have recurrent milk regurgitation and a prolonged period of distressed crying that worsens in the evening. Our osteopathic training allows us to check and treat any parts of the baby that may be contributing to the colic symptoms.
These include irritation of the nerve that helps control the stomach, which may be strained as it passes through the top of the neck - an area that undergoes considerable torsion during the birthing process. The upper back and ribs can also be restricted, which creates extra pressure on the babies stomach and makes babies stomach feel artificially full.
Feeding difficultis
Sometimes babies have difficulty feeding; feeding can take a long time and is often associated with difficulties winding. Baby's neck, face and throat muscles can sometimes be stretched or strained during the birthing process, and may result in discomfort for the baby. These muscles may get tired earlier than they should, resulting in feeding difficulties.

Crying irritable baby
Some babies are fractious, and parents have great difficulty settling their child. These babies often prefer to be carried. An osteopath can check if the baby has any areas of discomfort, either in the back of the neck and head or through the upper back. If these areas are under strain, each time baby is placed on their back to sleep, they will often become distressed.

Recurrent ear infections
The ear canal in a young child is very short and can therefore be easily infected. Many children suffer ear infections more than once, which can be distressing to both the child and their family, and may then require further medical intervention such as grommets. Osteopathy for children aims to ensure that any residual birth strains in the cranium or neck are not impeding drainage from the ears. Osteopathic treatments can be used alongside normal medical treatment such as antibiotics.
Asthma
Many children suffer from asthma, and whilst osteopathy is not a cure, it can help in the reduction and management of symptoms.
Children with asthma often change their breathing pattern to cope with the stresses of asthma episodes. This can result in over use of certain respiratory muscles and structures, which may eventually restrict the breathing further. Osteopathic management of asthma is a good adjunct to medical treatment.

Headaches
Children's headaches can start occurring at the ages of 7-8, along with growing pains, vulnerability to sprains, and other aches and pains. The pressure of bony joints of the skull as they fully form at this age can aggravate the problem.

Osteopaths and other Physical Therapists are often correctly thought of in relation to ailments such as stiff spines, sciatica, shoulder and knee strains or a 'cricked' neck, but much more can also be amenable to Physical Therapy treatment.

Plenty of non-muscular-skeletal conditions can be treated using a wide variety of Physical Therapy techniques.


Terry O'Brien