Tuesday 15 October 2013

Natural Treatment and Prevention for Baby Flat Head Syndrome with Paediatric Osteopath

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. 

baby flat head syndrome

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. 
Courses of Baby flat head Syndrome

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.


2 comments:

  1. Dear Andrea you did a great job by posting the article.This article is really very informative for osteopathy beginners.The Osteopathy Specialists like you are playing a vital role for promoting natural treatments. Please keep writing and help people to learn something new.Thanks

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  2. Thank you for such a well written article. It’s full of insightful information and entertaining descriptions. Your point of view is the best among many. Osteo in Sydney

    ReplyDelete