An international organisation for osteopaths, and for those wanting to understand osteopathic health services for women and children
WHOMBS Osteopathy
Paediatric Osteopathic Services
Osteopaths' scope of practice covers providing services for infants, children and their families relating to their movement, function and development. Paediatric osteopathic practitioners are often first contact practitioners meaning services also include screening for general health issues or problems that may need onward referral and are a point for support, education and clarification for families. Paediatric services can also offer support for children with complex needs alongside medical and allopathic, or other health professional care.
Paediatric Services by Osteopaths - some examples
Do I need to see a 'cranial' osteopath?
No this is not necessary - if your osteopath states they offer paediatric services they may already offer 'cranial' approaches, but this is only one of a number of very gentle approaches osteopaths can use. So, don't worry about finding a 'cranial osteopath' - find an osteopath who offers paediatric services backed up by additional training.
Infant feeding support
There are many instances where infant feeding is complicated by biomechanical factors in the baby's neck or jaw for example, and osteopaths can explore these factors within your child. Aspects of recovery after tongue tie operations can also be provided by osteopaths, as well as considering factors such as facial muscle strength, tongue mobility and how a baby learns to repattern their feeding posture, movements and breathing coordination.
Infant musculoskeletal, movement and head shape / molding support
Osteopaths are experienced in body movement, how anatomy and function changes over time, and how the impact of how parents hold or play with their infants, or how the infants sit / are in car seats, or do tummy time for example, can all impact on their flexibility, motor strength and coordination and hence development.
Infants and children with complex needs
Infants born prematurely, or children who have congenital disorders or who suffer from birth trauma or become unwell have complex needs. Often these relate to how they can now move, the implications for their development, their ability to be as comfortable and pain free as possible, and to feel less stress or have more autonomy. Osteopaths can support children through their hands on care and work with other health professionals to improve health outcomes and to support the family as a whole
Learning delay, developmental challenges,
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Support with general health, ears, throat and respiratory issues
The dynamics of breathing are important for health on very many levels. Breathing helps circulation and tissue health and as you grow tensions in the muscles of the body and rib cage can lead to breathing dysfunction. Alo, many childhood respiratory or ear and throat infections or diseases can lead to tension and adaptation in breath, which can add to extra
Movement disorders through childhood, orthopaedic and musculoskeletal injuries and support
As with adults, osteopaths are very experienced in musculoskeletal system function, and how effective neural and sensory development contributes to efficient biomechanics and less train on developing joints and tissues. Postural changes and skeletal changes through growth means a child's body needs to constantly adapt, and remain dynamic to ensure the best function for school sports and general development. Osteopaths can help screen for problems and potential disorders that may need onward referral and can help with advice on exercise, self help and can educate the family about the various movement and function problems the child might be experiencing.
Working with older children and adolescents
Older children and adolescents can be supported through movement practices and hands on care, to help with their sense of self, their confidence and the challenges they face as they grow.
Research and Evidence
Osteopathic support services for women draw on a wide range of manual therapy, biopsychosocial, self-help, rehabilitation, neuroscience, physiology and medical evidence and knowledge bases.
The osteopathic support services consultation will determine what education support can be offered so you better understand your condition., a screening service to determine if onward referral is required, an assessment for manual and movement factors that may be relevant in your situation, a review of your self-help strategies, and advice and support to enhance these where possible, and your osteopath can give you time and focus to help understand what osteopathy can offer you, or where its limits may be. Each practitioner has different skill sets and knowledge, o if one osteopath is unable to offer the support of service you need a different osteopath may, and all practitioners will help you find the best support for you.