Osteopaths are specialists in treating the musculoskeletal system.
Plagiocephaly is a condition commonly described as a flat head syndrome, that
usually arises when a baby lies with its head on that side for most of the
time. It seems to occur because the baby has either a strong preference (from
in utero moulding) for lying on one side, or has a difficulty (again in utero
moulding or a strain during delivery) lying with their head on the other
side.
A Paediatric Osteopath (specialising in infants and children)
would be able to identify which structures in the baby's head or neck were
involved (either strained or short) and use very gentle manual treatment to
improve the baby's 'posture'. I have assessed and treated a lot of babies with
plagiocephaly, which has a tendency to be more common in baby boys, twins, and
premature babies, all for slightly different reasons, among which are the larger
head, softer bones, less space in utero.
The difference between an osteopath and a physiotherapist is that
we are trained in private institutions (my osteopathy degree is ratified by the
Open University, as is my Masters of Paediatric Osteopathy) and work in private
clinics. We are registered professionals and my treatment is covered by all the
healthcare insurers. Physiotherapists are trained by and for the NHS. Some
practice privately when they've graduated.
I hope that helps!
Best wishes,
Andrea Rippe Msc Paed Ost, BOst
References for the general background to osteopathic
intervention in plagiocephaly:
Exploring
the impact of osteopathic treatment on cranial asymmetries associated with
nonsynostotic plagiocephaly in infants. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2011
Nov;17(4):193-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2011.02.001. Epub 2011 Mar 5.
Cranial
osteopathy as a complementary treatment of postural plagiocephaly. Arch
Pediatr. 2008 Jun;15 Suppl 1:S24-30.
