Osteopathy and Cranial Osteopathy in Broadwater Osteopathic Clinic in Worthing

Cranial osteopathy is a refined and subtle type of osteopathic treatment. Osteopaths are taught at undergraduate level and beyond, to utilise a range of techniques including gentle approaches, such as cranial.

Cranial techniques are safe, gentle and involve no manipulation. They are often used in treatments of young children and newborns, but can be used for any age.

Cranial osteopathy aims to treat the whole person not just the condition, so a wide range of problems may benefit from treatment.

Osteopathy for Teens, Children and Babies

At BOP we treat babies, children and teens of all ages and stages of their development.

Approaches to treatment are gentle and age appropriate. They may involve a variety of osteopathic approaches including structural, cranial and visceral osteopathy.

We receive many referrals from GP’s, health care visitors, speech therapists and midwives for our paediatric patients. If you have copies of any reports relevant to your child, please bring them with you to the appointment.

It is important to note that it is a legal requirement for all babies and children under the age of 16 to have a chaperone present throughout every appointment. This chaperone must be an adult who has legal parentally responsibility for the child.

 Osteopathy for Babies

 Babies may hold tension within their bodies for a variety of reason and these tensions can impact the way they function. For example they may favour certain movement patterns, they may struggle to latch, not want to be put down or curl up more. Babies cannot speak and tell us what is wrong, so the role of the osteopath is to examine any tensions, treat accordingly and provide advice and reassurance.

Assessment may include a full examination, similar to a neonatal exam, checking muscle tone, reflexes and movements, with extra attention to areas that could be associated with any presenting symptoms. It is common practice for a baby to be undressed down to their nappy for this assessment, so that the osteopath can make a full assessment.

We would advise bringing your babies red book and anything you feel may aid to keep them contented throughout the treatment.

Osteopathy for Children and Teenagers

Like adults, children are seen at BOP for a variety of reasons. This may include, but is not limited to, aches and pains, developmental, digestive and stress related concerns.

Examination will be age appropriate and look to assess elements such as muscle tone, mobility and reflexes with specific attention to areas of potential concern related to their symptom picture.

It is common practice for the osteopaths to want to see the areas of the child or teen that are potentially the cause of problems and in doing so, they may wish to wear shorts and a sports top for this assessment.

For older children, the examination will be similar but taking into account what stage they’re at with their development.

During pregnancy, hormonal changes in the body causing relaxation of ligaments, as well as mechanical postural changes, can mean that previous aches or pains can reoccur or sometimes contribute to new problems.

Treatment can be an effective way to ease and manage these symptoms during pregnancy, making you feel more comfortable.

Treatment is safe during all stages of pregnancy and your osteopath will give you gentle stretches and exercises which will take into account your changing body.

Sometimes labour and delivery can place demands on your body, especially if you have a long labour or if assistance is required, like forceps or ventouse. This can be short term for some, but can be even six months post delivery. Feeding posture and lifting a growing baby can also lead to aches and pains in the neck, back and wrists.

Treatment aims to relieve symptoms and provide advice on lifting, posture and safely returning to exercise, so that you can just focus on enjoying your little one.