What can an osteopath do for your child?
As a pediatric osteopath in Amsterdam, I focus on osteopathy for children at various stages of their development. From young babies to toddlers, preschoolers, and older children: every child requires a unique approach. A child’s development begins before birth and proceeds at a rapid pace thereafter. In the first years of life, the body grows quickly and a child learns to move, sit, crawl, walk, and play. During this significant development, much is demanded of the body, and complaints can arise in the joints, muscles, spine, or nervous system, which can influence further development.
During this development, physical problems can arise from various causes, such as positioning in the womb, childbirth, growth phases, illness, falls, or asymmetrical loading, for example due to sports or posture. Because children’s bodies are very flexible, they can often compensate for these problems for a long time. As a result, complaints are not always immediately visible and may only manifest at a later age.
A pediatric osteopath therefore does not only look at the site of the complaint but examines the body as a whole. The cause of a problem may lie in a different location than where the complaint is experienced.
Furthermore, in children, complaints do not always manifest as pain, but may become visible as restlessness, not feeling well, sleep problems, or a stagnation in development.
Osteopathy focuses on the total physical functioning of the child. This involves looking at how tensions and movement restrictions can influence development, sleep patterns, mental well-being, concentration, and motor skills, among other things. By investigating these connections, complaints can be better understood, and in certain cases, osteopathy can be a valuable addition when other forms of treatment have had insufficient effect.
Do you have a baby with complaints? Read more about osteopathy for babies on this page.
Common complaints in children
-
Abdominal pain, intestinal cramps, and constipation
-
Headaches and other pain complaints
-
Poor sleep and other sleep problems
-
Ear problems and recurring infections
-
Preferred posture
-
Motor development problems
Osteopathy can also be used for babies; more info can be found on this page
-
Concentration problems, learning difficulties, and behavioral issues
-
Restlessness, fatigue, or mental health complaints
-
Motor development that is not progressing smoothly
-
Back, neck, or shoulder pain
-
Bedwetting or tension-related complaints
-
Respiratory problems or eczema
What does an osteopath do for a child?
The effect of physical tension in children according to the osteopath
Physical tension in children can influence motor skills, the degree of restlessness in the body, and emotional well-being. Body and mind are closely connected: when the body holds tension for a long time, this can contribute to inner restlessness. Conversely, more relaxation in the body can provide more peace and stability.
Osteopathy focuses on recognizing these tensions and supporting the body to return to a better state of balance.
How many osteopathic treatments does a child need?
Usually, three to four treatments are sufficient to support the body and reduce complaints. The self-healing capacity of children is highly developed, which generally allows them to recover faster than adults.
In the case of persistent patterns or when greater forces acted on the body during delivery, an additional treatment may be necessary. For children who have been experiencing complaints for a longer period, such as sleep problems, headaches, or abdominal pain, the treatment plan is carefully and flexibly tailored to their development.
Education and specialization in pediatric osteopathy
In addition to my Master’s degree in osteopathy, I completed a one-year postgraduate program focused on the treatment of infants and children: Pediatrics and Osteopathy at College Sutherland. During this program, I further specialized in the safe and careful treatment of children throughout various stages of their development.
Furthermore, I am currently enrolled in the Integrated Techniques program., in which a broader and more profound approach to the human body is central. Within this approach, embryology plays a significant role: how the body develops during pregnancy and how these early developmental stages determine the interrelationships within the body.
Embryological development demonstrates how structures form and become interconnected. This insight forms an important foundation in the treatment of infants and children. By working in accordance with this natural development, the treatment aligns with the body’s original organization and coherence.
This combination of education makes it possible to approach children from both a classical osteopathic perspective and a development-oriented, integrated vision. The individual child always remains the central focus, with attention to growth, resilience, and the body’s natural ability to adapt and recover.
When should you contact a pediatric osteopath?
When you notice that complaints persist, your child has difficulty with movement, suffers from pain, sleep problems or recurring physical complaints, osteopathy can be a suitable addition.
Are you interested in learning what an osteopath can do for your baby or child? Make an appointment or contact us for more information.