Have you heard about Osteopathy? This alternative therapy is increasingly popular way of treating a whole range of baby problems - but what is it, and could it help your little one?
Does your baby cry a lot? Is she fussy or having trouble sleeping? Is she teething, windy or just plain irritable? If any of these descriptions apply to her, it might be worth giving Osteopathy a go. Many new parents swear by this increasingly popular alternative way of treating common baby problems. No drugs, no gripe water, no surgery - just a few sessions with a professional who knows just what to do.
How it works
By gently touching your baby, an Osteopath can use manipulation to ease tension and help the way her body functions. Your baby is vulnerable to physical strains because pregnancy and birth put her tiny body under a lot of pressure.
Andy Maddick, for the Osteopathic Centre for Children, says, “All your baby’s systems are interconnected - the skeleton, the muscles, the internal organs and so on. If pressure or tension occurs in one area, the effect can continue throughout the body. For example, if there’s an imbalance in the shoulder, your baby may hold her body awkwardly, which in turn may cause irritation in the chest or tummy, affect her digestion and even sleep patterns.”
An osteopath uses gentle touch to find the parts of your baby’s body which may have become strained, stressed, or unaligned.
Your first visit
Your Paediatric Osteopath will first take detailed notes on your pregnancy and birth to help identify any problems. He’ll then examine your baby before spending about 10 to 15minutes, depending on how happy your baby is being touched, working on her body, using extremely subtle manipulation. Sometimes, the touch is so light that it is hardly discernible.
‘Each child and every treatment is different,’ says Andy, ‘but most babies usually only need three or four sessions to assess response to treatment. Your baby’s body is growing fast and has great potential for change and improvement, so getting her back to “normal” doesn’t take long.’
Does she need it?
Paediatric Osteopathy has been shown to be effective with very serious conditions such as epilepsy and cerebral palsy. It can also be helpful for the following baby problems:
-Wind or tummy pains
-Prolonged or inconsolable crying
-Fractiousness and irritability
-Frequent waking
-Feeding difficulties
-Teething problems
Find a Paediatric Osteopath
All osteopath’s undergo four years of medical training and they can complete their MSC at the Foundation for Paediatric Osteopathy. The Osteopathic Centre for Children has three clinics, two in London and one in Manchester.
The Natural Therapy Advice local network includes a Paediatric Osteopath, call us on 01256 463899 for more details.
