Pediatric Osteopathy

You probably never thought about it, but the musculoskeletal changes your child may experience right from birth can result in problems such as difficulty sleeping, eating, or even breathing. Pediatric osteopathy is a crucial area of ​​your baby's health that isn't often addressed, but it influences virtually every other health issue you'll complain about.

Although related to skeletal structure, osteopathy is not only used to cure stiff necks or correct posture. It has a direct influence on colic problems, sleep disturbances, difficulty sucking, and, of course, motor coordination or even craniofacial alterations and asymmetries.

The goal is to manually resolve or alter events that may interfere with the correct musculoskeletal structure of your child, the main one being childbirth. It is, without a doubt, the greatest trauma to which the baby's body and skull are subjected due to the enormous compressions they undergo.

We are talking about compressive forces with values ​​between 17 and 23 kg generated through contractions, the narrowest areas of the birth canal, or even the instruments used, such as vacuum extractors and forceps.

Regardless of whether it is a natural birth or a cesarean section, the hours of labor represent a great deal of pressure on the newly formed structure, and if this is not cared for immediately after birth, it can cause the body to develop mechanical changes that persist throughout life.

Origin and main area of ​​practice of Pediatric Osteopathy

Pediatric osteopathy has been discussed since the late 19th century, with the American physician Andrew Taylor Still establishing the relationship between structural (musculoskeletal) alterations and the rest of the body as a decisive element in health. It treats pain and injuries by focusing on the origin of the pain, not its location, and is a practice that has much to offer those seeking a natural treatment for physical structure problems that arise from childhood.

You can consult an osteopathic doctor whenever you need to, but these are the situations in which this type of care is most advisable:

·         postpartum check-up;

·         Delivery using vacuum extraction, forceps, or cesarean section;

·         Changes in the baby's cranial structure/shape (plagiocephaly);

·         Congenital torticollis.

You should also consider consulting an osteopath if you notice digestive problems in your child, such as sucking/swallowing difficulties, colic, gas, diarrhea, bronchiolitis, recurrent ear infections, blocked tear ducts, frequent intense crying, sleep disorders, agitation, nervousness, among others.

What can osteopathy do to help babies?

The goal of osteopathy is to harmonize the baby by maintaining a balanced physical structure. Typically, treatment involves the application of manual techniques, gentle contact, and pressure of 5 grams.

The baby may cry during the session, but not because they are in pain, only because they are uncomfortable with the doctor's hands touching their head or being in their field of vision. In most cases, the treatment takes place while the baby is playing, sleeping, or being breastfed.

This treatment is very safe and poses no risk to the baby, only benefits that will be noticeable in the long term. If the baby has any physical problems, you should treat them immediately so that the injuries do not last into adolescence or adulthood, as they will be more difficult to reverse. This advice is also valid for you! Remember that our musculoskeletal structure is what supports and protects everything else.