It is a common belief that babies and children have no structural or functional stresses. However the reality is different.

Birth is the most stressful event that we will experience in 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 babies head is able to absorb these stresses by reducing the size of it’s skull. They achieve this as the soft bones of the skull overlap, bend and warp as the baby descends. The chin is also tucked in, to reduce the diameter.

These are not the only these forces that affect the baby. Complications such as as being unduly fast or slow in labour, a caesarean section and the use of forceps or a vontouse can also lead to severe distortion of the babies head or lead to the newborns whole system being disturbed.

In the first few days apparent bruising and molding of the skull, as result of the birth may decrease with aid of suckling, yawning and crying. However this may not complete the unfolding process. This may result in the baby having to live with some uncomfortable stresses within the head and body.

Treatment

The gentle application of osteopathy by an osteopath experienced with children can often bring about significant improvement in these distressing cases. Cranial treatment is a refilled type of treatment which gentle but effectively releases the stresses and tensions within the babies and children.

Osteopaths who use cranial technique are trained to feel the bodies cranial rhythm that is present in all bodies tissues. the movement is of very small amplitude, therefore it takes practitioners with a finely developed sense of touch to feel it. Tension disrupts the cranial rhythm, thus if the stresses and strains in the body are evident an alteration in the rhythm will be detected. it also helps to indicate the overall condition of the individual.

The following page explains some of the common symptons that babies and children may suffer from which can be treated by an osteopath.