Osteopathy & Children

Osteopathy is especially suitable and important for children. Why? Well, one reason is that small problems that happen in our bodies can grow into major ones. So it’s better to correct the minor ones as soon as they occur – and this is often in infancy and childhood.

Correcting problems early on

“As the twig is bent, so the tree inclines” to quote Dr William Sutherland, the founder of Cranial Osteopathy. He meant that a small strain that begins in the body early in life, could cause bigger problems later on. This is because the growing body of the child will organise and adapt itself around the strain a bit like a sapling around a post.

These patterns can become more difficult to treat as time goes by, as they become ‘set’ in the body. These can lead to muscular tension, but also problems with posture and structure, breathing patterns (contributing to Asthma), organ function (unexplained tummy-aches), and even the child’s behaviour.

A child’s body is easily influenced, adaptable and full of new growth. A well trained osteopath will encourage this new growth to support your child’s health and well-being.

Growth and healing

Children are growing. It is so obvious it is missed. The force of growth – which involves expanding, lengthening, multiplying of cells, unfolding, developing, learning – is extremely potent. It is unstoppable. Good osteopathy harnesses this growth force. This burgeoning energy, which is inherently healing, then takes over and disorders can resolve themselves in ways that can seem almost miraculous.