Osteopathic treatment using the cranial approach is very gentle, safe and effective in the treatment of babies and children. Specific gentle pressure is applied where necessary to enable the inherent healing ability of the body to effect, the release of stresses.

OSTEOPATHY FOR BABIES & CHILDREN

1. What is Cranial Osteopathy?
Cranial Osteopathy is a very subtle and gentle approach to the treatment of the whole body (not just the head as the name implies). Cranial Osteopathy examines the complex structure of the head in detail and its considerable influence on the health of the whole body via its connection to the spine.

Example of Skull anatomy
The skull is formed of 23 separate bones and in an adult these bones are intricately joined to allow very slight movement to accommodate fluid motion within and around the brain.

A baby’s skull is quite different and is more like a membranous bag with bony stiffening within it. The cranial vault bones (top of the head) allow enormous shape change while still protecting the delicate brain on route through the birth canal. At the same time the bones of the cranial base (bottom of the head) are stronger as they take maximum compression during birth and need to protect the most vulnerable parts of the brain.

The anatomy of the skull is complex and therefore a cranial Osteopath requires considerable post graduate training. Guy has benefited from years of experience and study at the Osteopathic Centre for Children, London, UK, following graduation of an osteopathic medical degree.

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2. What is Paediatric Osteopathy and how does it work?
Paediatric Osteopathy is based on the principle that all ailments – whether minor or serious – are as a result of an imbalance somewhere in the network of the body’s systems.

After making a diagnosis, following a full medical history and examination a paediatric osteopath will use refined and subtle manual techniques to bring about profound changes within the child’s body through gentle manipulation.

This will allow the musculoskeletal system, the gastrointestinal tract, the nervous system, the immune system and the circulatory system – to work effectively and optimally. The treatment uses no drugs, and is non-invasive.

For example: Imagine a child diagnosed with a chest infection. The surrounding anatomy plays a role in respiratory function. Altered respiratory mechanics can contribute to tissue congestion and decreased clearance. Also altered ventilation, increased energy expenditure and altered lymphatic circulatory function.

Osteopathic reduction of facial connective tissue tensions and correction of alignment and motion of joints will allow normal physiological function of the underlying anatomy.

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3. What is the difference between 'Cranial/Paediatric Osteopathy' and 'Cranio-Sacral Therapy'?
All Osteopaths complete up to 5 years medical degree training and in South Africa are registered with the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa .This qualifies them to practice osteopathy and in South Africa under the title of Doctor.

The basic training of cranial osteopathic technique is given during the medical degree, but some Osteopaths specialise at post graduate level. Guy has attained a Diploma in Paediatric Osteopathy at the Osteopathic Centre for Children, UK which included experience at Barnet General Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit and children’s wards.

In the 1970’s Cranio-Sacral therapy embraced these osteopathic techniques. However, most Cranio-Sacral Therapists are not Osteopaths, and not all therapists have a background in anatomy, physiology, pathology, diagnosis and biomechanics. Therefore they are unable to offer a valid working diagnosis which is essential prior to application of treatment.

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4. What effect does birth have on a baby?
Despite the common belief that children are young and flexible enough to have no musculoskeletal imbalances in their body, this is not necessarily true. The reality of this can only be ascertained on professional analysis of the birth history and on clinical observation and examination.

Childbirth is one of the most stressful events of our lives. The baby is subjected to enormous forces, as the womb (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 soft bones at the top of the skull (cranial vault) overlap each other like the petals of a rose bud to reduce the size of the head as the baby descends. The baby’s chin is normally well tucked down towards its chest to reduce the presenting diameter of the head. The back of the head (occiput) will take up most of the strain if there is a delay in delivery.

The baby’s head and in particular the strong membranes (dura) surrounding the brain and spinal cord have the ability to absorb these stresses in a delivery. 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. There are many reasons why labour may be difficult for mother and baby. Abnormal presentations and assisted deliveries involving forceps, manual traction or ventouse can create strains, which are not easy for the body to resolve.

As a result the baby may have to live with some very uncomfortable stresses within its head and body. This physical discomfort will cause a baby to be unhappy and unsettled sooner or later. Some babies manage well following a difficult birth and are contented and happy.

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5. What happens if strains following a difficult birth are not rectified?
In the event that a baby’s body has become strained at birth and this strain is not resolved, it will cause the baby’s whole body to grow in an unbalanced way. As a consequence, structures within the whole body will be required to compensate for this distortion, but signs and symptoms may present themselves soon after birth or much later.

Paediatric osteopathic treatment soon after birth is recommended as birth misalignment becomes progressively more difficult to correct with time. The reason for this is that there are many changes that will occur in the infant head during the first 6 years of life and anatomy gradually changes to accommodate growth and development into the early adult years.

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6. What problems can Paediatric Osteopathy help with in babies?

Crying, screaming, irritability
Frequent crying, restlessness, fractiousness, jumping at loud noises in a baby and taking a long time to settle to sleep may be attributed to a retained birth compression.

The baby’s head may be uncomfortable, possibly with a headache. They are characteristically more relaxed being carried than lying down due to the extra pressure of the mattress on their heads aggravates the tensions already in their head.

Babies who have a complicated birth such as having the umbilical cord wrapped around their neck or have been jammed in the birth canal are often very anxious babies. Also babies who have had a very rapid delivery can be often very irritable.

Paediatric osteopathy has been helpful in treating many babies with birth compression.

Feeding difficulties
Suckling will be more difficult and tiring for a baby when tensions through the head, face or throat are left over from mechanical strains acquired at birth. These strains may have been influenced by:

• face or brow birth presentations
• overstretching of the throat or irritations of the throat by tight umbilical cord around baby’s neck
• Misshapenness (moulding) of the whole skull

Residual strains in the neck can cause baby to favour feeding more comfortably on one side than the other.

Nerves that control tongue coordination, sucking and swallowing can become irritated as they exit the base of the skull as this area is prone to maximal birth compression. These babies are described as having a 'weak suck'.

Colic and wind
Mechanical stresses during delivery and pregnancy can aggravate or cause colic. Other factors that need to be considered are the mother’s diet, lactose intolerance, stress during pregnancy and a family history of colic.

The nerve to the stomach (vagus nerve) can be irritated as it exits at the base of the skull by birth compression. This retained compression on the nerve can reduce the efficiency of digestion and therefore impair its function.

Stress through the trunk of the baby as it passes through the birth canal, or from a poor first breath, or shock from the birth will increase torsion and/or tension within the diaphragm. Impairment of the diaphragm will compromise the ability of the stomach to hold on to and digest its contents.

Tension through the umbilical cord during delivery due to it being entwined around the baby’s neck can be spread to the diaphragm and gastrointestinal fascia. Thus the position and function of these areas can be disturbed.

Stress in the pregnant mother is also considered to increase the susceptibility of colic in the infant by making their nervous system more reactive.

A paediatric osteopath will be able to work on the restrictions within the baby’s body and effectively reduce the signs and symptoms of infantile colic.

Sickness/vomiting
The upper end of the stomach is held shut by a muscular sphincter which is composed of muscle fibres from the diaphragm. Tension or torsion in the diaphragm can impair the function of the sphincter and cause the baby to bring back (posit) small amounts of milk. Paediatric osteopathy often is able to reduce the regurgitation of milk by reducing the tension around the diaphragm.

Sleep disturbances may be due to:
A young baby whom does not suckle sufficient milk at one feed will tend to awaken sooner for the next feed.

Discomfort inside the baby’s head and coverings of the brain (the meninges) may be passed on to the brain itself causing the baby to be in a continually alert state. So due to retained compression, indirect irritation of their nervous system may prevent them from being able to sleep deeply. Later on in the first year they may be awakened by the slightest noise and this can develop into a sleeping pattern. Osteopathic treatment of the retained birth compression should be sufficient to resolve the sleep disturbances.

Infections, accidents, teething and knocks to the head may disrupt sleep patterns. Osteopathic treatment is capable of reducing the effects of any such incidents by helping the body back to health.

Teething
Osteopathic treatment can help with relief to those babies who are uncomfortable with teething. Fast growth of teeth within the face bones may cause a degree of strain and tissue congestion. This can lead to disrupted sleep and general irritability.

Prematurity
Premature babies can gain great benefit from paediatric osteopathic treatment. Guy has worked at Barnet General Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit and children’s wards.

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7. What problems can Paediatric Osteopathy help in older children?

Infections
Osteopathic treatment of an infection will promote a good blood supply and free drainage of waste products away from the area in order to assist the body fight infections efficiently. Tensions and restrictions within the upper ribs will reduce the function of the thymus gland which is responsible for the production of many of the immune cells in a child. Other tensions, particularly within the chest, will potentially reduce venous and lymphatic drainage which is important in allowing an optimally functioning immune system. Chest infections respond well to osteopathic treatment, particularly persistent coughs and breathlessness that may be left over from an infection, and sometimes misdiagnosed as asthma.

Ear infections
The main causative factor of repeated ear infections and glue ear is a retained birth compression. Also damage can occur via exposure to cigarette smoke which can disable the tiny hairs in the ear and therefore reduce essential mucous drainage.

The tube which connects the inside of the ear with the back of the throat is the Eustachian tube. Movement of skull bones assists in mucous drainage from the ear via the Eustachian tube. When the Eustachian tube is even slightly blocked, then pressure can build up in the ear. If the ear does not drain completely after an infection, it will be more vulnerable to further infection.

Osteopathic treatment to reduce the birth compression will assist in drainage of the ear which will mean fewer ear infections, reduced colds spreading to ear infections and an improvement in hearing (if this has been a problem).

Sinus problems and mouth breathers
Sinuses are air hollow spaces inside the bones of the skull which permit drainage of mucous via intricate movement of the skull bones. When the movement of these bones becomes restricted, due to birth compression or an accident to the front of the head, a build up of mucous within the sinuses may develop. These children tend to have a persistently blocked-up or runny nose.

Children’s faces begin a phase of rapid development at 5 years of age, therefore Osteopathy is recommended prior to this for best results. Osteopathic treatment to improve the mechanical drainage of the sinuses frequently reduces the severity and persistence of allergies.

Behavioural problems and learning difficulties
Osteopathic treatment can often help a child settle down, improve their sleep, sit still for longer periods and therefore develop better concentration and learning.

The onset began as a baby with a need for frequent changes of position due to discomfort. Unfortunately their restlessness may build to difficulty concentrating and sitting still, which will affect school work later on.

Headaches, and other aches and pains
Children often complain of headaches at approximately 7-8 years of age due to the formation of sutures or joints between the bones of the skull. Retained moulding may focus areas of pressure in the skull.

Children may also suffer from growing pains, aches related to poor posture and sporting injuries.

Asthma
There are a multitude of causes to asthma. Unfortunately asthma is an increasing problem in children today.

Osteopathic treatment of asthma is focused at improving rib cage function and increasing lung capacity therefore reducing the need for inhalers.

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OSTEOPATHY FOR PREGNANCY

1. How does pregnancy affect me?
Pregnancy will initiate numerous physical, hormonal and emotional changes over a relatively short period of time. Your body has to adapt to carrying up to 20lb (9kg) of baby, water (amniotic fluid) and placenta which can impose physical strain on all the organs and tissues.

Benefits of Osteopathic treatment during and after pregnancy:

• Reduction of the aches and pains of pregnancy.
• Preparing for the demands of labour.
• Helping the mother to recover after birth.

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2. What are the common Aches & Pains during and after pregnancy?
Aches and pains are common during pregnancy due to the considerable changes to posture to accommodate for the increasing size and weight of the uterus and baby. Any mother with an existing back problem, or a history of strains or imbalances in her body from past accidents or trauma, may find it difficult to accommodate to these changes, and she may suffer more discomfort as a result.

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3. How are the Ligaments affected during and after pregnancy?
Ligaments of the pelvis soften during pregnancy due to the action of hormones to allow the pelvic joints flexibility to separate slightly. This increases the size of the pelvic outlet and thus encourages the passage of the baby’s head and shoulders through the pelvis. Unfortunately this softening affects the whole body and makes it more vulnerable to strain during the pregnancy.

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4. What Postural Changes might I expect?
Postural changes and the weight of growing baby and breasts will cause your centre of gravity to move forward. This results in a progressively increased demand on the back and gluteal muscles in order to maintain an upright posture and keep the shoulders back. This may cause back ache, neck ache, shoulder ache, headaches, aching legs and undue fatigue. Osteopathic treatment can help the body adapt, and make the pregnancy much more comfortable.

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5. How will my Breathing be affected?
Breathing Difficulties due to postural changes to the body can impede the action of the diaphragm and make breathing difficult. Osteopathic treatment to improve function of the spine and rib cage will allow full use of available lung capacity.

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6. How can Treatment help Prepare me for Childbirth?
Ensuring the mother’s pelvis is structurally balanced is an important preparation for childbirth.

A history of coccyx, pelvic or sacrum bone trauma in the mother’s life can leave tension in muscles and ligaments and misalignment of the bones of the pelvis. This can limit the mobility of the pelvic joints (sacroiliac and symphisis pubis) as they move during labour, and thus limit the size of the pelvic outlet.

Osteopathic treatment is effective at releasing restrictions and tension within the pelvis which can help give the best chance of an easy and uncomplicated labour.

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7. How can Treatment help after Childbirth?
Caring for your new baby is a very physically and mentally demanding task. Your body has had to recover from the postural changes made during pregnancy but also the effects of delivery.

Reaching over a cot, nursing in poor positions, lifting and carrying your baby on one hip can place enormous strain on the back and other parts of the body

Osteopathic treatment after childbirth is recommended to ensure that the mother returns to normal, physically and emotionally. This will allow her to relax and enjoy her new baby.

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