The Cranial Osteopathy approach uses very gentle techniques in which the Osteopath's highly trained sense of touch is used to identify and correct disturbances and limitations of tissue mobility, not only in and around the joints of the skull, but throughout the body. It can help a wide range of patients, of any age. For babies, the effects of difficult deliveries (very quick, very long, c-section, forceps/vanteuse etc.) can be assessed for and treated.
Birth is one of the most stressful events of our lives. The baby is subjected to enormous forces, as the uterus pushes to expel the baby against the natural resistance of the birth canal. The baby has to turn and twist as it squeezes through the bony pelvis, on its short but highly stimulating and potentially stressful journey.
The baby's head has the remarkable ability to absorb these stresses in a normal delivery. In order to reduce the size of the head, the soft bones overlap, bend and warp as the baby descends. The baby's chin is normally well tucked down towards its chest to reduce the presenting diameter of the head. Many babies are born with odd shaped heads as a result. In the first few days, the head can usually be seen to gradually lose the extreme moulded shape, as the baby suckles, cries and yawns. However, this unmoulding process is often incomplete, especially if the birth has been difficult. As a result, the baby may have to live with some very uncomfortable stresses within its head and body. By gently releasing tension in the baby's body, the Osteopath can often relieve discomfort, which might otherwise be attributed to colic or fretfulness.
Cranial Osteopathy can be used for the Treatment of:
- Crying babies
- Colic, sickness, and wind
- Feeding difficulties
- Sleep disturbances
- Recurrent infections
- Ear infections
- Asthma
- Sinus and adenoidal problems
- Behaviour problems
- Learning difficulties
- Cerebral palsy and other types of brain damage
- and more
Pregnancy is a unique and powerful experience. Enormous physical, hormonal and emotional changes take place over a relatively short period of time. The body has to adapt to carrying up to 20lb of baby, waters and placenta, which can impose physical strain on all the organs and tissues.
Osteopathic treatment during and after pregnancy can be beneficial in a number of ways:
- Easing some of the physical discomforts of pregnancy.
- Optimal foetal positioning.
- Preparing for the demands of labour.
- Helping the mother to recover after birth.
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