What is paediatric osteopathy?
Paediatric osteopathy is a form of osteopathy that focuses on treating the musculoskeletal system of infants and children. From their birth to the age of 18 years, children’s bodies undergo an extensive amount of growing. Paediatric osteopathy aims to identify and address any restrictions or imbalances in their body that may be causing pain, discomfort or developmental issues.
Osteopathy is an alternative manual therapy, which works with the structure and function of the body and is based on the principle that the wellbeing of an individual depends on the skeleton, muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues functioning smoothly together. Paediatric osteopaths use a variety of techniques, such as gentle mobilization, craniosacral therapy, balance ligament tension and stretching as well as massage to help restore balance and promote healing.
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Birth complications: a common reason why your baby or child may see an osteopath
The birthing process is traumatic for babies. It can lead to musculoskeletal problems with their skull being compressed in the womb for nine months and pushed out during delivery. The muscles in their necks and shoulders can be stretched if the child is delivered via C-section, or instruments such as forceps or ventose. These forces applied during birth can cause changes to the baby’s bones and tissues which, in turn, can cause them discomfort. With the helping hand from an osteopath using gentle techniques, they can unwind and relieve these tensions.
What can these tensions look like?
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Difficulty latching
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Neck torsion/ favouring one side
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Head shape deformity
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Visibly distressed when passing stool or gas
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Unable to settle
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Other reasons your baby or child might see an osteopath
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Ear infections
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Tummy aches or constipation
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Reflux
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Sleeping difficulties
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Delayed development milestones
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Mouth breathing and sinus issues
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Issues which can arise at a later age in children.
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Digestive issues
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Headaches
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Asthma
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An unusual walking pattern
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Postural issues
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Sport accidents
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Meet Kaitland Parks, our osteopath at Knox Rehab Clinic.
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What is paediatric chiropractic?
Our newborns grow and develop rapidly - with this process comes new brain connections and brain-body pathways. During the early phases of life, brains grow and are positively stimulated by movement, social engagement and sensory experiences.
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It is amazing to observe how each day brings an incredible change in your babies awareness of you and the world around them.
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Chiropractic at KRC can help you set your family up for optimal health by assisting in creating a well functioning nervous system.
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Why does Dr Stacey see babies and children?
In 2016, Stacey became a parent for the first time. She can honestly say that being pregnant was an incredible journey, and she has been fortunate enough to experience two uncomplicated pregnancies. Being a chiropractor, Stacey sees changes in peoples bodies every day that amaze her. To experience such profound physical (and sometimes emotional!) adaptations, pre and post birth, affirmed how adaptable and intuitive the human body is.
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Stacey's first birth was prolonged. She had an epidural and forceps delivery - the experience was very positive for her. The team at Queen Mary were very communicative about the options available, and Stacey felt she had a voice at every junction. After her son's birth, she noticed that he was understandably very sore when his head was touched and he had some restriction when turning his head due to the forceps delivery.
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She had her son Tarran checked by their chiropractor and took him to see an osteopath in the first few weeks to help with his discomfort and improve his range of movement.
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Breast feeding was quite a traumatic experience for the first 10 weeks. Stacey experienced engorgement as her milk supply came in, which didn't settle down quickly. A combination of engorgement, a small baby that found it difficult to get a deep latch plus lots of confusing and conflicting advice around tongue tie and palate shape led to severe loss of tissue and open wounds to her breasts. Stacey started to heal around week 10/11 and then breastfed comfortably until around 6 months when baby started on some formula to help with feeds when she returned to work. Her son transitioned to full time formula a couple of months later.
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Stacey's second baby arrived 7 years later in 2023. Her arrival was a story of two halves......the first half was a textbook slow and steady progression to 5cm. The short walk to the delivery suite had her fully dilated 10 minutes later and ready to push! The rapid progress of the labour meant that the option of pain relief was no longer available. With focus and calm breath work, her daughter arrived 2 hours later.
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With an incredibly attentive midwife, they had a far better start to breastfeeding. Some early switches to bottle feeding with expressed milk helped the engorgement and the mild nipple damage healed quickly, allowing for a quick return to comfortable breastfeeding.
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These experiences of transitioning to a parent, observing the development of her babies and experiencing the benefit of hands-on care, in particular with her son, have led to Stacey's desire to extend her practice to include babies, toddlers and children.
Some reasons why you may bring your baby in:
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Body asymmetry - baby may lie in a banana-like shape
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Head may be rotated
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Flat areas on the head
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Irritable and fussy
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Difficulty latching or taking bottle on certain sides
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What to expect when you see Dr Stacey:
Your baby will be assessed thoroughly looking at both the babies neurological and physical presentation. This is done by observing baby throughout the consultation and performing some paediatric specific tests that check primitive reflexes and neurology, neck range of movement and head shape, developmental hip checks, spine and pelvis function.
Reducing tension and imbalance that may be present in a babies body can help to:
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settle a fussy baby
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improve the ability to latch and feed
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improve movement patterns
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help improve sleep
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The assessment and treatment process is very fluid depending on how settled baby is. There will be plenty of time for baby to feed and have a break and cuddle with their parents/caregivers. Your baby will likely need to go to singlet and nappy layer so a thorough check can occur. We will explain what we're checking and finding as we go and discuss options for care. You will be included in your baby's care plan with some home-care advice and activities.
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Meet Stacey Medway, one of our chiropractors at Knox Rehab Clinic.
What can I expect during my child's appointment?
During your child's appointment with our paediatric team, a case history is taken including questions about the pregnancy, birthing process, if the child is hitting developmental milestones and what symptoms seem to be concerning the parents.
Once case history is taken, a full body assessment is carried out. Occasionally with younger children under the age of 1, depending on the symptoms of the child, they will usually be assessed in their nappy. After the assessment, parents will be informed of the findings, diagnosis, the recommended treatment approach and their outcomes will be explained. Any questions which arise will be answered throughout the appointment.
We understand it is upsetting to see your child in discomfort and distress so we will do our best to ensure everyone is happy with our services.
