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Children Are Ideal Candidates for Osteopathic Treatment

Children are beset with a plethora of minor ailments due to sudden growth spurts, developmental milestones, play injuries, but also more serious conditions that may have failed to materialize early on during childhood. Parents facing some of the more invasive treatments, such as tubes inserted for draining ears of fluid, are looking to alternatives for treatment, and more often than not they find out that children are ideal candidates for osteopathic treatment. As a matter of fact, it was the death of osteopathy's founder, Andrew Still, which sent him searching for treatment options less harmful and invasive and more effective than what was available right after America's Civil War.

Today doctors of osteopathy (D.O.s) are using their holistic treatment approach to relieve colic, treat recurring ear infections, provide some easement of asthma, and even help children born with cerebral palsy. It is a sad reality that some children are injured during birth and yet these injuries are not noticed or diagnosed but instead it is the symptom - or the number of symptoms - associated with an underlying injury that becomes the subject of regular treatment by attending physicians. This results in copious doctors' appointments, staggering medication bills, and of course a lack of quality of life the child experiences early on.

Parents will do well to chronicle their child's behavior, response to certain stimuli and also the onset of any discomfort they notice. It is especially important to note that occurred just before pain was felt. In some cases a D.O. diagnoses problems with sleeplessness or even early childhood pain due to tension that requires musculoskeletal manipulation. Quite frequently this is found to be the case at the neck region and the osteopathic specialist is highly likely to suggest cranial manipulation treatments. Parents must be certain that their practitioner is well versed in the administration of these treatments and may even seek out a second opinion from another D.O.

Since the bones of a young child are still somewhat soft and, depending on the child's age, the skull may not yet have fused together completely, it is crucial to only have this kind of cranial manipulation attempted by an expert in pediatric osteopathy. If you do not feel comfortable with your current D.O., feel free to ask for a referral or employ the internet in your search for a licensed and degreed health care provider who specializes in the treatment of children. There is little to no pain associated with these treatments since the adjustments are made through rhythmic motions rather than jerky adjustments such as they might be associated with a chiropractic adjustment.

It is possible, however, for the child to feel some pain or even soreness after the treatment and thus parents need to be aware of this potential complaint. It is a good idea to write down the exact complaints the child may have and then share them during the next visit to the child's D.O. It may be a hint toward a secondary injury or even a condition that as of yet has not shown up in any health evaluation the child has undergone.