The Batcombe Family Practice

Osteopaths are used to dealing with patients in pain — whether it occurs in babies through the mechanical strain of birth, the young through sports or work related injuries; caused by weight and postural changes in pregnancy or in an older patient with arthritic pain. Their role is to alleviate pain, to improve mobility and posture and to make patient’s lives more comfortable.

The small amounts of movement that exist in the infant skull permit the baby’s head to adapt to the forces of labour. However when birth is complicated by being unduly slow or fast, or when other complications occur such as the need for forceps delivery, the infant head may not fully recover from the distortion. This may result in subtle changes in function leading to varying problems. Osteopaths will often use a special technique, often called cranial Osteopathy, when looking at children. This employs the Osteopath’s highly trained sense of touch to identify and correct mechanical disturbances and limitations, both in and around the joints of the skull, and throughout the body. Osteopathic techniques are suitable for children at all stages of development. These same techniques are employed when treating new mothers, and may be supplemented by more structural techniques, such as massage and articulation, which are more appropriate for adult treatment.