Steyning Osteopathic Clinic

Here Chantel Prince from Steyning Osteopathic Clinic answers some common questions about cranial Osteopathy. If you would like to book an appointment or ask her any more specific questions feel free to call her at body matters on 01903 813500.

Is it just for babies?
No. The techniques which are popularly known as cranial osteopathy are specialised osteopathic techniques distinguished by their light touch. They are reliant on the osteopath having a highly developed ability to sense what is happening in the body. These techniques are routinely used to treated adults, children and babies alike. This style of treatment has become best known for treating babies because they can only cope with such gentle treatment, and because results can be dramatic.

How old do babies have to be before they come for treatment?
They can come from birth. When I worked in a neonatal unit in Barnet Hospital we used to treat newborn babies who were very premature and only weighed about 2lb.

How soon should I bring my baby?
I would come straightaway if you have any concerns or problems. These are most likely to be difficulty sleeping (for both of you), poor feeding or the baby seeming very tense or crying excessively (‘colic’). If the baby seems fairly contented but you would like a check up, any time in the first few months is appropriate.

What will happen during treatment?
I take a full case history and examine the baby. After a basic medical examination I gently feel for any areas of stiffness, strain, asymmetry or irritation. Once found, they can be released using light touch.

Do all children benefit from a check even if they don’t seem to have anything wrong?
Some children have no symptoms, but on examination their body still has stresses, strains or even emotional shock. It is better to treat this early on. A symmetrical and relaxed body is a body which uses energy more efficiently and is less prone to musculoskeletal problems.

How is treatment going to stop my baby crying?
An osteopath might be able to tell why the baby is crying so much. For example we can feel if the nervous system is unusually aroused, if there is a teething strain causing discomfort through the head or if the digestive system is uncomfortable. In many cases by helping the body to rectify these imbalances the physical cause of the discomfort is removed and the baby is naturally more contented.

My baby has a strange shaped head. If it is treated will it go back to normal?
Treatment will help the head shape develop towards symmetry, rather than further into the asymmetrical shape. Results will depend on how early the child is treated, and how long the head was moulded. Perhaps more importantly than the visual improvement, osteopathy can help the underlying tissue function develop symmetrically, which might help prevent the possibility of mild neurodevelopmental issues.

What kinds of things do babies and children come in for?
Recently I have successfully helped children with plagiocephaly, constipation, developmental delay, colic, poor appetite, asthma and behavioural problems. But whatever the symptoms, we tend to look at their body and try to get it feeling more comfortable. In doing this, any physical strains which are contributing to symptoms are removed. In the absence of pathology, restoring normal anatomical and physiological relationships is often enough to reduce or eliminate symptoms.

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