Birth is a unique and moving event but it can at times be difficult for the baby. Complications can have consequences for the newborn: a weak suck, irritability, colic, significant regurgitation, difficulty breathing, irritating cough, asymmetry in neck or body posture as well as in the shape of the face or the head, etc. An osteopath can play a role in recovering a healthier shape and function.

Young children

Frequent ear infections are a source of concern for many parents and osteopathy can, in many cases, help children with this problem. For toddlers and young children (less than 6 or 7 years old), the Eustachian tube is more horizontal than it is in older children. As a result, when a child gets a cold, secretions that accumulate in the back of the nose can reach the middle ear more easily via the Eustachian tube due to its positioning. An osteopath can help with the drainage of the middle ear by stimulating the mobility of the temporal bones (bones in the hearing canal) and the base of the child’s head.

Frequent colds or bronchitis, asthma and other breathing problems can be controlled better with osteopathic treatments. By improving overall circulation, in particular that of the respiratory and immune systems, the body has access to all of its natural defences.

Osteopathy can also correct dysfunctions in the musculoskeletal and visceral structures that are the cause of certain mobility issues in newborns or young children indicated by the difficulty they may have in turning onto their back, rolling onto their stomach, sitting up, crawling or standing.

]]> https://qualita.ca/en/treating-problems-in-newborns-and-young-children-with-osteopathy/feed/ 0 https://qualita.ca/en/osteopathy-and-delivery/ https://qualita.ca/en/osteopathy-and-delivery/#respond Mon, 09 May 2011 16:00:10 +0000 http://qualita.ca/?p=2240 Should you Consult an Osteopath following Delivery?

Pushing during delivery

Delivery can be a traumatic event for a woman. The strain of pushing can place excessive pressure on the mother’s pelvis even when everything goes well. Following delivery, some women experience low back pain and pelvic pain (coccyx, pubis, sacroiliac joint, etc.). An osteopath can relieve this pain by stimulating the mobility of the bones in the pelvis and the spine.

Incontinence

Some women experience incontinence following delivery. This problem is often due to lacerations of the perineum that occur while pushing or to the episiotomy performed to avoid the lacerations. The final push during delivery can lead to a prolapsed bladder or uterus and can also be the cause of the incontinence problem. Osteopathic treatments can help soften perineum scar tissue and normalize the harmful effects of pelvic organ prolapse.

Epidural

An epidural can create an internal scar that leads to inhibited mobility in the vertebrae. This restricted movement can produce localized symptoms (back pain) or  generalized symptoms (headaches) in the mid to long term. A study led by two Quebec-based osteopaths (Johanne Beaulac and Nathalie Forest: 2003) revealed that osteopathic treatment in the area of the epidural scar improves the mobility of the head, the upper cervical spine as well as the D9 and the L5 vertebrae.

Delivery can cause pelvic and spinal movements to become imbalanced. Osteopathic treatment can provide a solution as well as prevent many other problems from occurring.

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