Osteopathy as a Holistic, Preventative Treatment for Children
A child receives an osteopathic treatment from a Nourish practitioner
By Kylie Walsh, MHSC (Osteo), Non-Physician Osteopathic Manual Therapist
It’s often said that children are very resilient. While this can be true, their bodies are working very hard in the background to adjust to life’s small and large traumas, both physically and emotionally, they experience along the way.
Think about how many times a child falls down when they are learning to walk, hits their head when getting into a new sporting game or exploring the playground, or how their body is affected when recovering from infections, viruses, and other illnesses. While their bodies are strong enough to adapt to these situations, in osteopathy, adaptation means compensation; which can show up in the body as pain, dysfunction, or dysregulation. These symptoms don’t allow the body to operate to its full potential.
Using osteopathic care to support your child through life’s big transitions and seasonal changes is a holistic, preventative way to support their bodies as they grow and develop.
What is Osteopathy and How Does it Work?
Osteopathy is a gentle, hands-on manual therapy that treats a wide variety of ailments. Unlike other healing modalities, osteopaths examine the entire body to find the underlying cause of an issue rather than only treating the symptoms.
Practitioners are trained to feel the various layers of the body, and their hands are extremely sensitive to the small changes in the tissues, muscles, and fluids of the body. As such, they can feel when the body is compensating and use their hands to make small, gentle adjustments to bring the body back to its balanced, natural state.
The human body operates as a unit - not in parts. Therefore, when one area is affected, other areas are affected, as the body must adjust to maintain balance for function. We see compensations manifest in children in various ways: growing pains, digestive dysfunctions, ear infections, asymmetrical growth and development, flat spots on the head, sleep challenges, gait imbalance, milestone delays, pain, dysfunction, and more.
Benefits of Osteopathy for Children
1. Enhancing Physical Development
Children undergo rapid growth and development as well as mild to severe physical traumas, which can sometimes lead to musculoskeletal imbalances. Osteopathic treatment can help ensure that a child's spine, joints, and muscles are aligned correctly, promoting optimal physical development. We see this as a preventative measure to help avoid problems such as poor posture, asymmetrical gait, scoliosis, and other growth-related issues.
2. Improving Neuromuscular Function
Treatment can support the nervous system by improving the function of the musculoskeletal system, releasing any stressors or strain on this system. Techniques such as gentle stretching and mobilization can enhance neuromuscular function, helping children achieve better coordination and motor skills. This can be particularly beneficial for children with developmental delays or conditions like cerebral palsy.
3. Supporting Immune System Health
The lymphatic system, a crucial part of the immune system, can also benefit from osteopathic treatments. By enhancing lymphatic drainage and circulation, osteopathy can help boost a child's immune response, making them less susceptible to infections and illnesses.
4. Alleviating Common Childhood Conditions
Many common childhood conditions, such as colic, ear infections, and asthma, can be effectively managed with osteopathic care. For instance, gentle cranial osteopathy can help relieve the symptoms of colic by reducing tension in the baby's head and abdomen. Similarly, osteopathic techniques can improve drainage in the Eustachian tubes, reducing the frequency of ear infections.
Children’s Osteopathic Treatments as Preventative Care
Osteopathy offers a holistic and non-invasive approach to supporting a child's development. From enhancing physical growth to improving neuromuscular function and boosting the immune system, the benefits of osteopathy are extensive. By integrating osteopathic care into your child's healthcare routine, you can help ensure they grow up healthy, balanced, and strong.
For more information on how osteopathy can support your child's development, we are offering 30 minute summer checkups for $100 (valued at $170) to help you and your family get the school year started on the right foot. Call us at 510-397-9457 or book an initial appointment online.
*Nourish practitioners are non-physician osteopathic manual therapists.