Paediatric Osteopathy

What is Paediatric Osteopathy?

Parents visit osteopaths for a range of reasons to support their child’s health. Children, like adults, can be affected by general joint and muscle issues, which is one of the reasons people visit an osteopath. Parents will also take their children to visit an osteopath for a variety of health reasons that may benefit from osteopathic care.

As osteopathic care is based on the individual needs of the patient, it will vary depending on your child’s age and the diagnosis. Osteopaths generally use a wide range of gentle hands-on techniques that focus on releasing tension, improving mobility and optimising function. This is often used together with exercise and helpful advice. Our paediatric osteopath has been trained in very gentle techniques which are particularly suitable to assess and treat very young children, including new-borns.

What Type of Issues do you Treat?

We treat babies with a wide range of issues such as assistance after a traumatic birth, breastfeeding and latch issues, and digestive issues. However, we are also here to support you with any concerns you may have during different stages of growth and the development of your child, right the way through to growing pains and teenage sports injuries. We are comfortable managing complex cases and recognising any symptoms which may need onward referrals.

What Type of Techniques will be Used During the Treatment?

A wide range of manual treatment motions may be used, including structural, cranial, and visceral approaches, which are all gentle enough for babies and children, tailoring a treatment for each individual patient. In young patients, the treatment methods used are always gentle, but nonetheless may have a powerful effect.

Although we will provide some toys to keep your child entertained, we would appreciate it if you could bring milk or finger food with babies and toddles, as well as a favourite toy or dummy to entertain them during the session. If you are comfortable with this, it is possible to treat your baby whilst they are being fed.