For children

Paediatric osteopathy

Newborns and babies
A prolonged position in the mother’s womb, the birth itself and the stress of the first days of life can cause tissue tension responsible for functional disorders in babies. An osteopathic consultation is advisable when your child shows the symptoms listed, but also if you notice a change in your child’s mood or behaviour after an illness, a fall or a vaccination. There is no minimum age for a first osteopathic treatment. If all is well and it is just a check-up, we generally wait until the first month. Osteopathic techniques are gentle and adapted to babies. The osteopath works in collaboration with the paediatrician and does not replace them.

Children and teenagers
Osteopathy is particularly well suited to following children and teenagers. Thumb-sucking, the weight of a school bag, poor posture at school, wearing a brace or the various falls a child may have can, over time, disturb their overall balance. We usually advise parents to bring their children at the main stages of their development, but also after an injury, poor ergonomics, stress… Regular follow-up of young athletes is also beneficial, as they are more exposed to injuries and to greater mechanical strain linked to their sport.

Osteopathy and orthodontics
By preparing for and accompanying orthodontic treatment, the osteopath contributes to its effectiveness and makes it more comfortable. The osteopath can also play a role in the stability of the orthodontic treatment.

Before orthodontic treatment
Acting early, together with orthodontists, is important. Imbalances need to be removed, restoring harmony between the skull and the body, so that the jaw can develop properly. The skull is subject to many stresses: in the mother’s womb, during birth, depending on sleeping habits, falls, the use of a dummy or thumb-sucking, etc. These disturb how it functions. The manual osteopathic approach, using the skull’s malleability, allows better functioning and helps prevent deformities. Preparing the patient before orthodontic treatment: during growth, chewing, speech, sucking and swallowing determine the shape of the skull. Structures and functions should therefore be checked and treated as early as possible. The osteopath rebalances the spine and ensures good mobility of the head and neck. Muscle tensions that hinder development and orthodontic work are released, so that healthy growth becomes possible.

During orthodontic treatment
The orthodontic appliance rests on the structures of the skull to act as a lever on the jaw and teeth. The jaw joint plays an important role in posture, as do the eyes, the feet and the inner ear. The way the teeth fit together, and therefore the position of the lower jaw, affects the rest of the body through the muscle chains. It is important for the patient to adapt to the changes brought about by orthodontic work, which is why the osteopath will check this ability to adapt. Osteopathy will therefore relieve the surrounding strain (neuromuscular, myofascial, articular). This is followed by a reduction or disappearance of the symptoms that may be linked to orthodontic treatment: headaches and back pain, dizziness, visual and ENT disorders, difficulty concentrating, mood changes…

After orthodontic treatment
Osteopathy helps maintain the body’s balance and stabilise the orthodontic treatment.

Paediatric osteopathy