Thought best way to start is with a recent testimonial from a local Mum...................
'thank-you very VERY much for treating Alice last Thursday. I came home late that evening and while I was giving her her late-night bottle I could swear that the shape of her profile had changed slightly, I think somewhere in the midline just above her eyebrow level? Did you do anything to her there?? Anyway, she finished off the whole bottle for the first time in weeks, then went straight back to sleep. My mum said she'd eaten very well that evening and had had another full bottle at bedtime. The only time she woke that night was at 4am, and that's because she was ravenously hungry again! She had yet another full bottle, (not a drop left!) then slept til 6.30 and had a big breakfast too. So we have gone on like that ever since, she has a huge appetite, isn't rubbing her ears as much and is sleeping much more soundly day and night. Now that I think of it, I haven't heard her cough either, though there is plenty of snot coming out her nose still! She honestly hasn't been this well (unless on constant antibiotics) since January' Mrs T of Brentwood .
What problems can cranial osteopathy help with in babies? Some babies cope extremely well with even quite severe retained moulding and compression, and are contented and happy. For others it is a different story, and they can display a variety of problems. Cranial osteopathy may help with:
Crying, screaming, irritability The baby may be uncomfortable, with a constant feeling of pressure in the head. This may be made worse by the extra pressure on the head when lying down.
Feeding difficulties The baby takes a long time to feed and one feed merges into the next. They may be a 'windy' feeder. Feeding is difficult and tiring due to mechanical stresses through the head, face and throat. The nerves to the tongue and face muscles may be irritated as they exit from the skull, which makes sucking difficult. Sickness, colic and wind Regurgitation of milk between feeds, bouts of prolonged crying due to colic and wind. Often worse in the evening. The nerve to the stomach may be irritated as it exits from the base of the skull, which can impair digestion. The diaphragm between the chest and the abdomen may be stressed or distorted, which further compromises both digestion and the ability of the stomach to retain its contents. Stress from a difficult or fast birth can leave the digestive system in tension trapping wind. Any strain through the umbilical cord, for instance if it was around the baby's neck, can add to strains in the abdomen. Sleep disturbances The baby sleeps for only short periods, and may sleep little in the day (or night!). They wake to the slightest noise- "jumpy". The tension on the bony and membranous casing of the skull keeps the baby's nervous system in a persistently alert state.
What problems can cranial osteopathy help with in older children? As the child grows, the effects of retained moulding can lead to other problems. The following are the most common, but it is by no means an exhaustive list.
Infections Retained moulding and birth stresses take their toll on the body's reserves, and also deplete the immune system. This leaves children more vulnerable to all types of infection.
Ear infection Recurrent ear infections, gradually becoming more frequent. May lead to 'glue ear' and some temporary loss of hearing. Retained birth compression within and around the bones of the ear impedes fluid drainage from the ear with partial or complete blocking of the Eustachian tube. Infections may never fully clear, leaving a vulnerability to the next infection and a depleted immune system.
Sinus and dental problems Persistent mouth breathers. Constantly blocked or runny nose. Impaired growth and drainage of the sinuses and bones of the face due to retained moulding compression. Later, this increases the chance of dental overcrowding.
Behavioural problems and learning difficulties, and special needs Poor concentration, constant fidgeting, difficulty sitting still, hyperactivity. Continuation of the restlessness as a young baby. Retained moulding compression makes them uncomfortable in one position for too long which becomes habit forming. Severe compression can modify normal patterns of learning in the brain. Severe birth trauma may be a factor in cerebral palsy, and conditions such as Down's Syndrome may involve restrictions within the head and body which can be helped with cranial osteopathic treatment. Please see our page on children with learning difficulties and special needs.
Headache, aches and pains Headaches begin age 7-8. Growing pains. Vulnerability to sprains, or other aches and pains. Retained moulding may focus areas of pressure in the skull, as the bony joints of the skull fully form at around the age of 7-8 years. Patterns of tension retained in other areas make the body more vulnerable to strain and fatigue.
Asthma Vulnerability to chest infections. Aggravation of all degrees of asthma from mild to severe. Retained moulding compression can aggravate a tendency to asthma. General lowered immunity leads to more chest infections. After infections, the chest remains tense and the ribs do not return to full function, aggravating an asthmatic tendency. Osteopathic treatment to release birth stresses and help to improve chest function is often beneficial in reducing the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.
Cranial osteopathic treatment Osteopathic treatment using the cranial approach is gentle, safe and effective for babies and children. Very specific, skilled, light pressure is applied where necessary to assist the natural ability of the body to release stresses and tensions.
Could there be any adverse reactions? Reactions to treatment are variable, often the baby or child is very relaxed afterwards and sleeps well. Others have a burst of energy after treatment, usually followed by a good nights sleep. Occasionally children are unsettled after treatment. This is a temporary situation, and usually clears within 24-48 hours.
Read Meera Syals funny short story about how Cranial Osteopathy changed her life
