Osteopathy for Babies & Children

The distance a baby travels in birth is little more than the length of the baby itself. But the twisting and turning subjects the baby to enormous forces as it squeezes through the resistances of the birth canal and pelvis. The baby’s head has an exceptional ability to adapt to these stresses: to reduce the head size bones overlap, bend and twist to accommodate the movements. But the position of the baby’s head and neck at the onset of labour are not always optimal for the best delivery. This can result in some babies being born with odd-shaped heads. Fortunately, during the first few days the head usually returns to its usual shape as the baby yawns, cries and suckles. However, in cases of extremely quick or long and difficult births, the unmoulding process is often incomplete. As a result the baby may have to live with strains within its body, head and neck.

We are able to treat newborns and infants for the following problems:

Asthma
Colic
Sleep disturbances
Glue ear
Flat head Syndrome
Feeding difficulties
Screaming/Irritability
Recurrent infections
Ear infections
Sinus problems
Headaches
Behavioural problems
Learning difficulties
Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy & other types of brain damage

In the vast majority of cases, a few visits to our paediatric osteopath in Cheltenham will enable the baby’s inherent healing ability to release the strains. The younger the baby is treated, the easier and more profound the benefits can be, however any body, of any age , can benefit from osteopathy.

Karl J Turner BSc (HONS) Ost Med

Karl J Turner BSc (HONS) Ost Med has been working for 12 years as an Osteopath/Cranial osteopath (8 years at Cheltenham Holistic Health Centre), prior to which he worked as an auxillary nurse. He studied osteopathic medicine, which means he is trained to use osteopathy to treat chest, ear and throat infections and difficulties with breathing and digestion as well as aches, pains and injuries.

Karl has an interest in helping relieve the strains of pregnancy and labour, as well as complications of delivery using a mix of both cranial and structural osteopathy.