INFORMATION SHEET

Amber LarisChiropractor and Osteopath

Osteopathy for Children

Young bodies undergo a lot as children grow into adults. First, there are the thumps and bumps incurred in everyday childhood activity, as well as the knocks and scrapes suffered when playing sport. Then, there are more severe types of traumas, that can occur as the result of an accident, that might include serious falls, fractures or broken bones.

Also, carrying heavy schoolbags, or sitting for long hours at a desk studying or using a computer can also create postural issues for developing bodies, such as asymmetry in the shoulders, excessive slouching, walking awkwardly, or having feet that turn in or out.Therefore, while young bodies are inherently flexible and resilient, they are not immune to physical stresses that have the potential to cause longer lasting harm, beyond the normal rough and tumble of growing up.

In addition, there are also musculoskeletal strains associated with the actual process of growing itself. These are often dismissed as ‘growing pains,’ but they can be an indicator of an underlying, invisible problem, and so could provide an early warning system that a child might be on the way to being susceptible to posture problems as an adult. Therefore, while it might be tempting to dismiss such discomfort merely as part of growing up, it may nevertheless have more significance.

Throughout this tumultuous time, therefore, a regular osteopathic examination and, if necessary, treatment, can be extremely beneficial in

discovering any unrecognised problems and eliminating their impact in the future. Children do have great resilience and, very often, because they have no points of comparison to be able to make the judgement that some part of their body isn’t functioning exactly as it should, they think that discomfort or pain is ‘normal’ and so don’t make a fuss. Their rapid healing abilities can also sometimes mask that fact that lasting damage of which they aren’t aware has already been caused.

Flexibility is a key to being able to continue to lead a physically active, unencumbered life and so anything that impedes a child’s mobility, strength or balance, and that prevents the body from functioning with freedom, is likely to have consequences for their development, both in the short-term and then into adulthood. This is why it is so important to resolve injuries at an early age, as this can prevents year of compensatory behaviour designed to cope with the difficulty.

How does osteopathy for children work?The manner in which an osteopath approaches working with children is much the same as working with adults. The first step is to undertake a thorough and complete understanding of the child’s medical history. This might include discussion of their birth, early development, and any injuries or illness that they have suffered. There will also be a complete physical examination to determine whether osteopathy is

appropriate and/or whether other forms of medical treatment may also be necessary.

Following this examination, a personalised treatment plan will be prepared, which will outline what the osteopath proposes should be the next steps, and any ongoing treatments that may be necessary. As part of this, your osteopath will also make recommendations regarding diet, lifestyle and exercise that will be helpful in going forward. This may also include, if necessary, advice and guidance on issues such as how to sit at a desk when studying, how to position your computer, etc., that are of particular relevance to children and teenagers. Osteopathy has an holistic approach and so treats not only injuries and problems, but works with the patient to

Osteopathy for children can be a highly effective way of treating the normal sorts of injuries that occur when

growing up, from playground slips to sporting injuries, but it has a range of longer lasting benefits as well

Amber Laris is a qualified and experienced chiropractor and osteopath with a popular practice in the heart of the Adelaide CBD.

Amber is dedicated to helping her patients find a natural way to health and well-

being, and is able to work with parents and children to treat childhood and sporting

injuries, as well as to help children to correct issues concerning their posture

and how they walk.Level 2, 33 Pirie Street, Adelaide SA, 5000

Telephone: (08) 8221 6100

www.amberlaris.com.au

www.amberlaris.com.au

establish the conditions whereby problems aren’t exacerbated or reoccur.

The benefits of osteopathy for childrenThe very nature of osteopathic treatment is one of the reasons why it is so effective in the treatment of children. It is extremely calm, gentle, non-invasive, and totally drug-free, and this is why it appeals to parents, and why the process is one that children feel comfortable with. It is also extremely safe and has no side effects. Generally, after a treatment session

children feel invigorated, as though after a sports match or active play session, and can be expected to have a good night’s sleep that evening.

Osteopathy’s approach to caring for the whole person also means that young people receiving osteopathic treatment have an opportunity to learn for themselves about how their body works, and the interconnectedness of the nervous system and other vital organs, making them better equipped to make good lifestyle choices that will contribute

to their long-term health and well-being.

Therefore, if your child has hurt themselves playing or in a sporting match and is having trouble moving freely, or you have concerns about their posture or how they may be walking, for instance, then osteopathic treatment is something that you should consider. Please feel free to contact us to discuss the situation, or to make an appointment to visit us at our Adelaide CBD practice.

This article was written and distributed by Cadogan and Hall, a team of freelance writers based in Adelaide, South Australia. We specialise in producing online content, websites, blogs, articles and press releases for small- and medium-sized buisnesses.www.cadoganandhall.comenquiries@cadoganandhall.com