The recommendation that all newborns should see an osteopath may come as a surprise to some. However, there are good reasons for this.

Intrauterine life and the birth process are crucial moments in the baby's development, with the potential to induce tensions or changes in the body's structure. These changes can occur due to different positions of the baby in the uterus or movements made during birth.

So why is it important to take my baby to an osteopath?

Early osteopathic treatment can help prevent future complications. Many conditions, such as scoliosis, torticollis, plagiocephaly (change in the position of the bones of the skull), strabismus, among others, can be treated more effectively at this early stage.

Ideally, the first pediatric osteopathy consultation should take place by the end of the first month of life. The earlier treatment begins, the better the results will be. This is a global process that seeks the cause of the change. The treatment causes a resonance effect, since, after removing the cause of the problem, the baby begins an internal process of searching for a new, healthier balance.

Pediatric Osteopathy brings a series of benefits, including:

• Eliminates discomfort and pain in chronic and acute conditions;
• Prevents potential future problems;
• Balances tensions in different tissues, such as bones, tendons, muscles and fascia;
• Assesses and treats mobility restrictions in the baby or child's body;
• Stimulates and improves sensorimotor development;
• Facilitates the transition from intrauterine life to the outside world;
• Promotes a feeling of well-being;
• Improves quality of life and health.

This approach can help resolve problems such as excessive crying, frequent regurgitation, colic, digestive problems and reflux, breastfeeding difficulties, sleep problems, signs of anxiety, recurrent bronchitis, among others.

Osteopathy vs. Physiotherapy: What's the Difference?

While physiotherapy is a more symptom-specific approach, osteopathy views the body as an interconnected system, focusing more on the system as a whole rather than just the symptoms. The idea is to find the cause of the problem and address it, rather than just treating the symptoms.

Studies conducted in neonatal units provide evidence that osteopathic manipulative treatment is effective in reducing the length of hospital stay for treated newborns. Therefore, considering an osteopathic consultation for your baby can be a very beneficial decision for his or her health.

Location: Gotu Barcelos

Schedule: to be scheduled

Duration: about 1 hour