Paediatric Osteopathy

Child athletes are becoming more prominent in today’s society, with sports clubs coaching from a younger age, placing more physical strain on the children’s anatomy. This can come hand in hand with more injuries in the younger generation, and so they need treatment to allow children to continue doing what they love and to prevent a chronic recurring injury. Therefore health professionals need to have a better understanding of injuries in Paediatric patients these injuries need to be treated in slightly different ways in comparison to adults.  

So what is Paediatric Osteopathy, and where does it fit into Childhood injuries? 

It is Osteopathy but on a smaller scale for children from the age of 0-16, as post-16 the body is physically much closer to the adult physiology. It focuses on a child’s physical development and well-being with the use of gentle hands-on techniques combined with education for both child and parent. The treatments aims to help streamline optimal motion by correcting imbalances and misalignment, with the primary goal of getting them back to being kids with the best physical and mental health possible. 

What can be done at different ages?

Newborns and Infants (0-2yrs): Starting life right

During labour, it isn’t uncommon for babies to undergo birth trauma, which can result in colic, reflux, torticollis (twisted neck), and plagiocephaly (flattened head). These dysfunctions can unsettle babies; affecting sleep, feeding, and general happiness. At The Local Osteo, we can use gentle techniques such as Cranial Osteopathy to relieve inner tension and soothe the babies’ discomfort. This is not a ‘cure’ for some of these conditions but treatment generally steers the process in the right direction towards healing, whilst providing advice to parents on how to further the process at home. 

Toddlers into School Age (2-5yrs): Milestone Ages

In these years you will expect to see a big increase in growth, and development of motor skills both fine and locomotor, with the children ticking off the developmental milestones of running, skipping, and the ability to write. Osteopathy at this age can address a parent's (warranted) endless concerns, regarding gait abnormality, limp, postural problems, scoliosis, and seasonal illness. It also helps combat the effects of all of these and correct the issues that are temporary/non-genetic. Gentle Osteopathic care can address concerns quickly and save a wait for a GP appointment, aiding with parental education on how to help at home and general advice around any long-lasting conditions. Then, if concerns need further investigation, we can provide our findings to the consultant to help further the process. 

School Age Children (5-11yrs): Pain-Free Learning 

With the growth of children, they become more physically active and may face challenges with growing pains, poor posture, and sporting injuries, all from the various activities they get up to daily. Paediatric Osteopathy can help alleviate and manage these pains and injuries early, preventing long-term even life-long problems, and getting them ready to learn pain-free, whether that be on a playing field or in a classroom. In addition, we can provide insight and check for any developmental injuries/conditions that can occur when growing. Such as pain around the base of the knee may be a condition called Osgood-Schlatters Disease where early treatment and intervention will reduce pain and help with educating the child on how to deal with it and prevent unwanted hindrances. 

Adolescents Into Teenagers (12-16yrs) 

One word. PUBERTY! This has more than hormonal changes that make your children grumpy teenagers, the increased growth rates combined with hormonal changes, can change the face of childhood injuries; 

1. Sporting Injuries 

Teens are more prone to sporting injuries than other ages. Osteopathic care, from hands-on treatment to education around strengthening, can help them as most injuries are a direct result of over-training the body and being too weak or inadequate sport-specific strength training, or simply trying to show off in the gym.

2. Poor Posture 

Exams. Studying. Phones. All result in a flexed/curved back causing a lot of back tension and pain. Sitting in these positions for a long period of time without being changed or treated can cause chronic pain in the back. Osteopathic treatment can help correct posture and aid in strengthening the back, getting them back to pain-free education. 

3. Stress Relief

Physical symptoms of stress can be helped such as headaches, and muscle tension. The holistic approach can help address these and provide much-needed relief. In addition, we can help discuss different ways to try and combat the stress, through different strategies.

After the age of 16, you would progress into standard Osteopathy, but as always the Osteopath would be on the lookout for juvenile conditions that may have not been picked up on before.

To conclude, Osteopathy can help you in any stage of life, especially in the early childhood years, we all think we are invincible, but sometimes we may need a helping hand at that age. 

Any questions feel free to message us, or come in and see us for a consultation for any concerns. 

The Local Osteo