Our osteopaths specialises in paediatrics using a combination of structural, cranial and visceral osteopathy for treating new born babies and children. They use very gentle osteopathic techniques to correct problems that could have occurred (to mum and baby) during a difficult or prolonged delivery. As the baby is pushing through the birth canal their soft skull is predisposed to a great deal of pressure that can create problems at a later date.

Many babies are born by caesarean section or using tools such as ventouse or forceps. This can  lead to tension in the neck and shoulders or altered shape of the head. A quick or prolonged delivery can also lead to problems. Normally these are resolved within the first few days as the baby starts to breathe, cry, suck and yawn. However, some babies find it a bit more difficult to release all these stresses and their tension may remain.

We treat babies with a wide range of issues such as assistance after a traumatic birth, breastfeeding and latch issues, and digestive issues. However, we are also here to support you with any concerns you may have during different stages of growth and the development of your child, right the way through to growing pains and teenage sports injuries. We are comfortable managing complex cases and recognising any symptoms that may need onward referral.

Parents bring their babies to see our Osteopaths at Wandsworth Physiotherapy and Osteopathy for:

• A New Born Baby check up (a 6 week check up is recommended)
• A postural assessment
• Any digestive issues (colic, reflux, constipation or difficulty passing wind)
• Difficulty sleeping
• Difficulty Latching and feeding
• Plagiocephaly (flattening of the head)
• Congenital torticolis

All appointments are secured with payment. All appointments cancelled within 24 hours of the start time or not attended will not be refunded.

In your initial appointment with the osteopath you can explain the problems your child is suffering from and how it makes them feel. Your osteopath run through any relevant past medical history finding out about any medical diagnoses or medicine they take.

Next your osteopath will carry out a physical examination of your child looking at any affected areas plus carry out an assessment of relevant postures or movement patterns. Once they have carried out this assessment they will put together a treatment plan for your child or baby. Osteopaths that work with children and babies tend to look at the body from a structural and cranial  perspective, assessing their body alignment and how their spine moves and where there might be restrictions that need to be treated.

In the remaining time of your initial assessment and on subsequent treatment sessions your osteopath will carry out this treatment plan and also give you advice and exercises that you can do with your child at home. Your osteopath will endeavour to give you an accurate diagnosis, realistic expectations of how many treatments will be required and you will leave with a written diagnosing and treatment plan. Most problems can be resolved within 4 to 6 treatment sessions. On occasion your therapist may refer you and you child to a GP or consultant for a second opinion to verify the initial diagnosis and treatment plan.

• All children and babies osteopathy assessment and treatments sessions are 1 hour

Paediatric osteopathy sessions are slightly longer than for our other osteopathy sessions. This allows time for baby to settle and adjust to this new experience.

Osteopaths that work with children and babies use very gentle hands on techniques to help resolve their problems. Most osteopaths do not use spinal manipulation on children so you needn’t worry that they will “crack” your child’s neck or back.

Cranial osteopathy is a form of osteopathy aiming to gently release these stresses and tension within the babies body. This is an approach where light pressure of the hands is used to find and ease the movement and rhythm of the body tissues. This way we are encouraging the body’s self-healing mechanism and corrective capabilities. The aim of all this is to improve the body’s function in a non-invasive way.

We would appreciate it if you could bring milk or finger food with babies and toddlers, as well as a favourite toy or dummy to entertain them during the session. If you are comfortable with it, it is possible to treat your baby whilst they are being fed.

If you have any concerns about your child and want to see if paediatric osteopathy can help, or have any questions before making an appointment please call 020 3322 9455 or e-mail info@wandsworthphysiotherapy.co.uk.

Meet The Team