Osteopathy in babies and children
A baby who cries all the time or a child who sleeps poorly. Sometimes children have symptoms with no apparent cause. An osteopath seeks the solution to complaints in loosening stuck or tense body tissues.
How do symptoms occur in babies?
During childbirth, great forces are exerted on the child’s body. Irregularities during pregnancy or a rapid or prolonged delivery can affect the child’s well-being. For example, symptoms may arise after the birth of a baby in the breech position, after a vacuum delivery or cesarean section.
Complaints in babies and osteopathy
Osteopaths treat babies because of sleep problems, prolonged crying, problems with sucking or swallowing, intestinal cramps, reflux symptoms, or throat, nose and ear problems, among other reasons. Furthermore, osteopaths see many babies who frequently overstretch, have preferred posture, babies with a flattened skull, eczema, allergies or asthma.
Complaints in older children and osteopathy
Tissues in the body can also lose their natural mobility in toddlers or older children, such as after a fall, illness or appendectomy. Osteopaths treat children with many different complaints, including headaches, constipation, (chronic) abdominal pain, bedwetting, scoliosis, ear, nose and throat problems, eczema, allergies and asthma. In a child with motor development problems, behavioral and learning problems, hyperactivity, dyslexia and dyspraxia, a positive effect can often be achieved through osteopathy.
An osteopath uses the hands to examine and treat stuck or tense tissues, restoring flexibility and mobility to the body.
What can I expect on a first visit?
The first time you visit an osteopath with your child, he or she will ask many questions: about the complaint, as well as any medical history and lifestyle habits. This is followed by a comprehensive physical examination. The osteopath uses the hands to examine the child’s body. Meanwhile, he or she pays close attention to putting the child at ease. You can also help with this by, for example, feeding your baby during treatment or giving them a pacifier, cuddle or cloth. You can prepare children for a visit to the osteopath by reading the site or brochure with him or her. You can tell your child that the osteopath will feel at the body, but it won’t hurt.
Cost and reimbursement
Most health insurance companies reimburse an osteopathic consultation in whole or in part from the supplementary package. A referral from a (primary) physician is not necessary. For a comprehensive list of health insurance companies and their reimbursements click here.
What happens in treatment?
Once the examination is complete, the osteopath will discuss what he or she has noticed and formulate a treatment plan. Treatment will consist of one or a few appointments. During treatment, the osteopath will use gentle strokes to restore mobility to body tissues one by one. Usually the treatment feels pleasant. After treatment, it takes one or several weeks for another appointment. The body’s self-healing ability takes time to reach a new equilibrium.
Frequently asked questions Osteopathy in babies and children
An osteopath can apply various techniques to babies to improve their health and well-being. This may include gentle movements of the skull, spine, abdomen and limbs to reduce tension and improve the child’s movement.
You can visit an osteopath with your baby for various complaints, such as reflux, colic, overstretching, sleep problems, preferred head posture and crying. In addition, osteopathy can also help with general growth and development problems.
Osteopathy can help cry babies in some cases. This is often the result of tension or an imbalance in the baby’s body. By reducing this tension and improving movement, the baby may feel better and cry less.
Osteopathy can help with sleep problems in children in some cases. Sleep problems in children can have several causes, such as tension or pain in the body, preferred posture, reflux or breathing problems.
Yes, it may be good to have your baby checked by an osteopath after a hard labor. During childbirth, there can be a lot of pressure and tension on the baby’s body, which can lead to physical imbalance and problems such as reflux, preferred posture or digestive problems.
An osteopath can gently and safely examine the baby’s body and detect and treat any blockages or tension in the body. This can include gentle movements of the spine, skull and abdomen.
It is important to realize that an osteopath is not a substitute for medical care, but a complement to it. If you are concerned about your baby’s health or if there are any medical problems, it is important to always consult a doctor first.
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