It is a common belief that babies and children should have no structural stresses or strains in their bodies, because they are 'so young'. The reality is very different.
The birth of a baby 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 has to turn and twist as it squeezes through the bony pelvis, on its short but highly stimulating and potentially stressful journey.
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.
Many babies are born with odd shaped heads as a result. In the first few days, the head can usually be seen to gradually lose 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 is a safe and very gentle way to ensure that no uncomfortable strain patterns are left in the babies skull. Craniosacral techniques that are derived from Osteopathy are employed to gently relieve stress or strain. Babies respond extremely well to this kind of treatment and parents usually comment that after a treatment the child is relaxed, happy and sleeps for more time than usual.
What effect does retained moulding have on the baby ?
Some babies cope extremely well with even quite severe moulding and compression, and are contented and happy. For others it is a different story, and they can display a variety of problems:
Crying, irritable baby, needs to be rocked to sleep and prefers being carried.
Reason: The baby may be uncomfortable, with a constant feeling of pressure in the head. This is made worse by the extra pressure on the head when lying down.
Feeding difficulties:
Baby takes a long time to feed and one feed merges into the next. He/she may be a “windy” feeder.
Reason: Feeding is difficult and tiring due to mechanical stresses through the head, face and throat. The nerves to the tongue may be irritated as they exit from the skull, which makes sucking difficult.
Sickness, colic and wind:
Regurgitation of milk between feeds, bouts of prolonged crying due to colic and wind. Often worse in the evening.
Reason: The nerve to the stomach is irritated as it exits from the base of the skull, which impairs digestion. The diaphragm may be stressed or distorted, which further compromises both digestion and the ability of the stomach to retain its contents.
Sleep disturbances:
Baby sleeps for only short periods, and may sleep little in the day (or night!). Wakes to the slightest noise.
Reason: The tension on the bony and membranous casing of the skull keeps the baby's nervous system in a persistently alert state.
AS THE CHILD GROWS
As the child grows, the effects of retained moulding in the skull can lead to other problems. The following are the most common, but it is by no means an exhaustive list.
Ear Infections:
Recurrent ear infections, gradually becoming more frequent. Loss of hearing, leads to “glue ear”.
Reason: Retained birth compression within and around the bones of the ear impedes fluid drainage from the ear, causes poor development of air sinuses in the ear, and partial or complete blocking of the eustachian tube. Infections never fully clear, leaving a vulnerability to the next infection and a depleted immune system. Osteopathic treatment can help to improve mobility and drainage of the eustachian tube. The treatment is very gentle and effective.
Sinus and dental problems.
Persistent mouth breathers. Constantly blocked or runny nose. Later, this increases the chance of dental overcrowding.
Reason: Impaired growth and drainage of the sinuses and bones of the face due to retained moulding compression. Osteopathic treatment can be used to enhance sinus drainage by improving the mobility of the bones the sinuses are housed in. Tension in the upper chest and neck may also need to be addressed to ensure that drainage down into the torso has a clear pathway. Advice can be given to encourage healthy sinus development with simple exercises to encourage correct breathing.
Behavioural problems and learning difficulties:
Poor concentration, constant fidgeting, difficulty sitting still, hyperactivity. 'Butterfly' type of child who flits from one thing to the next.
Reason: Continuation of the restlessness as a young baby. Retained moulding compression makes them uncomfortable in one position for too long - which becomes habit forming. Severe compression can modify normal patterns of learning in the brain. Osteopathic treatment helps release excess tension and nervous system stimulation.
Headaches, aches and pains:
Headaches begin age 7-8. Growing pains. Vulnerability to sprains, or other aches and pains.
Reason: Retained moulding may focus areas of pressure in the skull, as the bony joints (sutures) of the skull form at around the age of 7-8 years. Postural tensions making other areas of the body more vulnerable to strain and fatigue. Osteopathic treatment can release areas of pressure, enhance joint positional development in the skull which has a profound effect on the membranes within the skull that are continunous with the membranes around the spinal cord. This in turn can take tension off surrounding tissues and help postural development.
Asthma:
Vulnerability to chest infections. Aggravation of all degrees of asthma from mild to severe.
Reason: Retained moulding compression can aggravate a tendency to asthma. General lowered immunity leads to more chest infections. After infections, the chest remains tense and the ribs do not return to full function, aggravating an asthmatic tendency. Osteopathic treatment to release birth stresses and help to improve chest function, is often beneficial in reducing the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.
|
