Welcome everyone to the second edition of Hampton St Osteopathy's monthly newsletter. We hope you find the content of the newsletter both educational and enjoyable.

Each newsletter will include a feature article on an aspect of Osteopathy and how it can help you today, as well as a "Ask an Osteo" section that will provide advice on common and less common complaints and injuries.

We are well into the second quarter of 2009 after a very busy start to the year. We now have 4 Osteopaths and a Myotherapist as part of our staff to ensure all of you have the best chance to recieve the quality health care you deserve.

We hope this resource will provide valuable information and benefit you now and in the future.

FEATURE ARTICLE

Osteopathy, Babies and Children

It is a common belief that babies and children should have no structural stresses or strains in their bodies, because they are 'so young', and as such should require no type of hands-on treatment. The reality is very different. Birth is one of the most stressful events of our lives. The baby is subjected to enormous forces, as the uterus pushes to expel the baby against the natural resistance of the birth canal.

The baby's head has the remarkable ability to absorb these stresses in a normal delivery. In order to reduce the size of the head, the soft bones overlap, bend and warp as the baby descends. The baby's chin is normally well tucked down towards its chest to reduce the presenting diameter of the head.

Many babies are born with odd shaped heads as a result. In the first few days, the head can usually be seen gradually losing the extreme moulded shape, as the baby suckles, cries and yawns. However, this unmoulding process is often incomplete, especially if the birth has been difficult. As a result, the baby may have to live with some very uncomfortable stresses within its head and body.

Osteopathic treatment using the cranial approach is a very gentle, safe and effective treatment technique for babies and children.

What problems can cranial osteopathy help with in babies?

Some babies cope extremely well with even quite severe retained moulding and compression, and are contented and happy. For others it is a different story, and they can display a variety of problems. Cranial osteopathy may help with:

• Crying, screaming, irritability: The baby may be uncomfortable, with a constant feeling of pressure in the head. This may be made worse by the extra pressure on the head when lying down.

• Feeding difficulties: The baby takes a long time to feed and one feed merges into the next. They may be a 'windy' feeder. Feeding is difficult and tiring due to mechanical stresses through the head, face and throat.

• Sickness, colic and wind: Regurgitation of milk between feeds, bouts of prolonged crying due to colic and wind and is often worse in the evening.

• Sleep disturbances: The baby sleeps for only short periods, and may sleep little in the day (or night!). They wake to the slightest noise or may be "jumpy". The tension on the bony and membranous casing of the skull keeps the baby's nervous system in a persistently alert state.

If you believe your child or baby would benefit from an Osteopathic assessment, please feel free to ring us on 9 533 5536.

"Ask an Osteo"

Q: Is it normal for my baby's head to be asymmetrical or mishapen after birth?

During pregnancy and birth the baby's head can become asymmetrical due to its position in the uterus, due to a difficult labour or from forceps or ventouse use. In premature babies there is an increased risk of head shape deformity as the bones are still very soft at the time of birth and premature babies are often moved as little as possible.

There is no doubt that the incidence of SIDS has been lowered significantly since the introduction of Safe Sleeping Education. We must ensure that the baby sleeps on their back, but there is evidence to suggest that we should make sure that the baby lies with his/her head turned to alternate sides after each feed, or at least in the morning and the afternoon. This practice can be started from birth.

Placing the baby on their tummy for 'tummy time' when awake and supervised is also important. Playing or dressing and undressing with gentle stroking, can be soothing for a baby and teach them that tummy time is pleasant and fun. This is important for their future development because it helps to strengthen their neck, back and shoulder muscles which is then important for rolling and crawling.

Most of these asymmetries will resolve spontanously within 1 to 3 weeks but some of them do not. In these cases it is important to consult a cranially trained Paediatric Osteopath to any treat unresolved restrictions. The earlier the better as the cranium continues to develop into harder, more rigid bones and ths becomes more difficult to alter. If you have any doubt about the shape of your baby’s head, it can be checked by one of our Paediatric Osteopaths and you can get further advice about handling and encouraging good development in your baby

In very rare cases the asymmetry may be due to early suture closure, known as craniosyntosis which will need to be referred to a Paediatrician.


Welcome everyone to the second edition of Hampton St Osteopathy's monthly newsletter. We hope you find the content of the newsletter both educational and enjoyable. Each newsletter will include a feature article on an aspect of Osteopathy and how it can help you today, as well as a "Ask an Osteo" section that will provide advice on common and less common complaints and injuries. We are well into the second quarter of 2009 after a very busy start to the year. We now have 4 Osteopaths and a Myotherapist as part of our staff to ensure all of you have the best chance to recieve the quality health care you deserve. We hope this resource will provide valuable information and benefit you now and in the future. FEATURE ARTICLE Osteopathy, Babies and Children It is a common belief that babies and children should have no structural stresses or strains in their bodies, because they are 'so young', and as such should require no type of hands-on treatment. The reality is very different. Birth is one of the most stressful events of our lives. The baby is subjected to enormous forces, as the uterus pushes to expel the baby against the natural resistance of the birth canal. The baby's head has the remarkable ability to absorb these stresses in a normal delivery. In order to reduce the size of the head, the soft bones overlap, bend and warp as the baby descends. The baby's chin is normally well tucked down towards its chest to reduce the presenting diameter of the head. Many babies are born with odd shaped heads as a result. In the first few days, the head can usually be seen gradually losing the extreme moulded shape, as the baby suckles, cries and yawns. However, this unmoulding process is often incomplete, especially if the birth has been difficult. As a result, the baby may have to live with some very uncomfortable stresses within its head and body. Osteopathic treatment using the cranial approach is a very gentle, safe and effective treatment technique for babies and children. What problems can cranial osteopathy help with in babies? Some babies cope extremely well with even quite severe retained moulding and compression, and are contented and happy. For others it is a different story, and they can display a variety of problems. Cranial osteopathy may help with: • Crying, screaming, irritability: The baby may be uncomfortable, with a constant feeling of pressure in the head. This may be made worse by the extra pressure on the head when lying down. • Feeding difficulties: The baby takes a long time to feed and one feed merges into the next. They may be a 'windy' feeder. Feeding is difficult and tiring due to mechanical stresses through the head, face and throat. • Sickness, colic and wind: Regurgitation of milk between feeds, bouts of prolonged crying due to colic and wind and is often worse in the evening. • Sleep disturbances: The baby sleeps for only short periods, and may sleep little in the day (or night!). They wake to the slightest noise or may be "jumpy". The tension on the bony and membranous casing of the skull keeps the baby's nervous system in a persistently alert state. If you believe your child or baby would benefit from an Osteopathic assessment, please feel free to ring us on 9 533 5536. "Ask an Osteo" Q: Is it normal for my baby's head to be asymmetrical or mishapen after birth? During pregnancy and birth the baby's head can become asymmetrical due to its position in the uterus, due to a difficult labour or from forceps or ventouse use. In premature babies there is an increased risk of head shape deformity as the bones are still very soft at the time of birth and premature babies are often moved as little as possible. There is no doubt that the incidence of SIDS has been lowered significantly since the introduction of Safe Sleeping Education. We must ensure that the baby sleeps on their back, but there is evidence to suggest that we should make sure that the baby lies with his/her head turned to alternate sides after each feed, or at least in the morning and the afternoon. This practice can be started from birth. Placing the baby on their tummy for 'tummy time' when awake and supervised is also important. Playing or dressing and undressing with gentle stroking, can be soothing for a baby and teach them that tummy time is pleasant and fun. This is important for their future development because it helps to strengthen their neck, back and shoulder muscles which is then important for rolling and crawling. Most of these asymmetries will resolve spontanously within 1 to 3 weeks but some of them do not. In these cases it is important to consult a cranially trained Paediatric Osteopath to any treat unresolved restrictions. The earlier the better as the cranium continues to develop into harder, more rigid bones and ths becomes more difficult to alter. If you have any doubt about the shape of your baby’s head, it can be checked by one of our Paediatric Osteopaths and you can get further advice about handling and encouraging good development in your baby In very rare cases the asymmetry may be due to early suture closure, known as craniosyntosis which will need to be referred to a Paediatrician.	487A Hampton St, Hampton 9533 5536 www.hamptonstosteo.com.au February 2009 Volume 1, Issue 1 Do you know someone who would benefit from this newsletter? If so, please feel free to forward it to friends or family who are looking to improve their health and wellbeing. To manage your subscription, see the links at the end of this message. New Myotherapist at Hampton St Osteopathy We are happy to announce that we now provide MYOTHERAPY as a new service to all our patients. Myotherapy involves deep tissue massage, cupping and dry needling to improve muscular dysfunction and overall health. SEND A FRIEND PROMOTION Starting this month Hampton St Osteopathy will reward any of their existing patients who refer a friend or family member to the clinic with a 30 MIN FREE MASSAGE VOUCHER. Take advantage of this great offer so those aching muscles can be attended to. Hampton St Osteo supports Sids and Kids Victoria Hampton St Osteo is continuing its support of Sids and Kids by selling raffle tickets within the clinic. It would be wonderful if everyone could help with such a worthy cause. We provide Gift Certificates A perfect gift for a loved one or friend, a Gift Certificate can be purchased for either an Osteopathic treatment or Myotherapy massage. Congratulations to all the Hampton St Osteo mums who had babies since January this year. They include: Emma and Baby Luke, Erika and Baby Adaler, Fleur and Baby Ocearne, Barb and Baby Austin, Kelly and Baby Jai Cooper, Kate and Baby Flynn, Czigany and Baby Cruz, Joanne and Baby Lucas, Jacqui and Baby Abigail, Halley and Baby Neve, Judy and Baby Jesse, Kylie and Baby Henry.

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