Elizabeth halford
registered osteopath
osteopathy west wales
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Treating Babies

One of the main reasons for treating babies is to relieve strains mainly affecting their heads but also in the body. This may be due to either intra uterine position (e.g. breach position or babies head engaging early in mother’s pelvis) so the bones of a baby's head grow to the shape of the mother’s pelvis or during birth the bones of the baby's head overlap and may remain in this position as retained moulding. This is why some babies may be born with odd shaped heads. After birth sucking and crying help the head to “unmould” however this “unmoulding” process is often incomplete and can leave the baby with uncomfortable stresses in his/her body and head. These stresses may cause breastfeeding/feeding difficulty, sickness, colic, wind, sleep disturbances and feeding difficulties. The aim of treating babies is to reduce any strains in the baby’s body and thereby help the baby feel much more comfortable. 

Treating Children

As the child grows the effect of retained moulding can lead to other problems:

Developing posture, growing pains and aches
Strain or asymmetry in the spine or pelvis may affect the developing posture and contribute to spinal/joint problems later on in life. An example of this is scoliosis. Osteopaths assess and treat the developing spine to help the development of good posture.

Headaches
As the skull reaches its adult proportion at around 7/8 years any further compression remaining from birth cannot easily be accommodated so this may lead to headaches.

Ear Infections
Distortion in the base of the child’s skull, particularly in the bones around the ear can cause narrowing of the sinuses and the Eustachian tube that drains the ear. This prevents mucous drainage from the ears leaving the ears vulnerable to repeated infection.

Injuries 
Injuries and sports injuries are well managed for children and teenagers as the mukuloskeletal systems is still growing. Osteopathic treatment takes the whole body into account while treating the specific injury.

Infections
Physical or emotional stress can prevent the immune system from optimum function. Treatment to reduce physical stress may help the immune system to a more optimum function.

Contact

Tel: 01239 851904
Mob: 07805 931716
Address:
Cymbychan
Rhydlewis
Llandysul
Ceredigion
SA44 5SB

Llys Ardwen
St. David's Road
Aberystwyth
​SY23 1EE
The Waverley
23 Lammas Street
Carmarthen
Carmarthenshire
SA31 3AL

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