Cranial osteopaths may
be able to help new born babies and children with the following:
- Attention deficit and Hyperactivity
- Ear, nose and throat problems including glue ear.
- Respiratory problems and asthma
- Constipation and bowel problems
- Colic
- Altered sleep pattens
- Irritable baby syndrome
- School learning difficulties
- Autism
Treatments
Osteopaths have a wide
range of treatments available which can help both mother and baby at this important time. The emphasis is aimed at treating
the body as a whole.
Cranial osteopathy is
a gentle non invasive form of treatment often employed when treating expectant mothers and baby’s although it can be
used on patients of any age.
An American, Dr William
Sutherland developed the technique in the 1890s. He studied the skull and found that the 26 bones that formed the cranium
were not fused together as had previously been thought but articulated with one another via lines of joints called sutures.
The skull was therefore
carefully designed to have very subtle movements and he began to examine and study this system. He found a “primary
physiological movement” that was not under our conscious control, similar to that of our beating heart.
The fluid that surrounds
our brain and spinal cord causes this involuntary movement.
As new fluid enters this
system and old fluid is pumped out a tidal ebb and flow or rhythmic pattern can be detected via the bones of the skull. The
bones accommodate this fluid pressure change like “ gills on a fish” Cranial work is based on assessing and influencing
these movements.
Osteopaths are trained
to feel these very subtle rhythmic movements and by applying very gentle pressure can influence the skull and the rhythmic
nature of the cerebral spinal fluid.
Assessment from a cranial
osteopath could reveal that the baby’s skull was still compressed following , for instance , a forceps or fontusse delivery
( clamps or suction cap to assisting the birth)
The vault which is on
top of the head is often pulled out of shape by a difficult delivery or long labour leading to a distorted head shape. Should
there be any strain to the cranial base( a thicker bony tissue situated at the top of the neck and behind the face) this may
cause problems to the nerves passing through this area that influence the gut, tongue and ear as well as other parts of the
body.
Trauma as a baby could
lead to such difficulties as colic, glue ear and hyperactivity. In the mature adult problems could develop such as migraine,
headache, sinusitis ,menstrual pain fatigue and asthma.
Maternity
For mothers to this could
well be the perfect time to seek advice and help from your osteopath as back hip and leg pain has long been associated with
pregnancy.
Osteopaths can also give
advice and treatment to prepare you for the birth itself.
During pregnancy many
dramatic changes occur in the body which can cause a variety of muscular and skeletal joint problems. The body changes shape
to accommodate the growing baby. As this occurs the mothers body has new and unfamiliar stresses placed upon it.
Back Pain,
The most obvious is the
growing bump that appears as the pregnancy develops.
As the abdomen distends
it pulls on the lower back increasing the stress on the lumber spine, often causing the back pain commonly associated with
pregnancy. The pull on the lumbar spine also increases the risk of strain to localised muscles, ligaments and joints. The
legs may become tired and hips may ache under the additional strain placed upon them.
Reflux and Heartburn,
As the baby grows it starts
to impinge upon the space previously occupied by internal organs. Compression of the stomach reduces its internal capacity
and may give rise to reflux heartburn and premature feeling of fullness, often occurring in later pregnancy.
Increase in visits to the toilet
Another common problem
as pregnancy develops is the frequent visits to the toilet as a result of the compressive forces on the bladder by the baby.
As the bladder is compressed it sends messages to the brain that it is full and needs to pass water whereas in reality only
a small amount of urine is passed.
Lethargy and Fatigue
With the baby growing
in size the expectant mother has to work extra hard to carry the babies weight. There is often a temptation to eat for two
which compounds the situation further. The extra pounds place additional stress upon the ligaments and muscles which gives
rise to fatigue and lethargy.
Change of posture
An increase in weight
and change of abdomen size will affect the general posture and generalised fatigue will develop.
Expectant mothers may
find it hard to get comfortable in the normal sitting position and may have to lie or slouch. General fitness may decrease
as exercise levels diminish. Sedentary life styles often result in a compromise of good posture and the of strain patterns
may develop in the back neck and peripheral joints .
Diet and lifestyle
Maintaining a healthy
diet and life style at this time will benefit the mother during pregnancy and the baby during its development.
A moderate and professionally
monitored exercise program could help greatly to increase the expectant mothers energy levels and increase the baby’s
overall well-being.
Change in structure of the ligaments.
Ligaments are long guy
ropes that protect joints from moving beyond their normal range. In preparation for the baby to pass through the birth canal,
hormones are released to relax the ligaments that support the pelvis. Looser ligaments allow separation of the joints to occur
during birthing to allow the baby to pass through the pelvis. Thus the joints are weakened and strain can develop in the joints
causing pain and discomfort.
Conversely any immobility
dysfunction in the pelvis can impede the baby’s smooth passage and give rise to a more difficult and uncomfortable birth
for the mother.
After the birth an accurate
realignment of the pelvis should take place .If this does not happen excess train may be placed on the surrounding soft tissue
structures. These problems may persist for a considerable period of time after pregnancy if not treated effectively.
