Reflux / Cranial Osteopathy

[KatBoo]

my 3 week old daughter has all the symptoms of reflux (not confirmed by Doc, but her older brother had it when he was a tiny bub so I know what to look out for).

I was reading about cranial osteopathy / craniosacral therapy...has anyone had any success with this in the relief of reflux or colic / wind?

Thanks
K

 

[woodk6]

I read about it too and am thinking of trying it. My baby has reflux and is on Zantac which keeps it pretty well under control. Except that it tastes terrible and we have a huge screaming episode when in the morning and evening when I have to give it to her. She gags, screams and trys to spit it out. Feels like child cruelty. I read a post on this site that someone had good success with the craniosacral therapy. Will be interested in any responses you get!

 

[Matty]

It didn't really make any difference for us for my sons reflux.
If your baby's stomach valve isn't working properly and they are having acid problems, a gentle manipulation therapy probably won't do much.
Putting him on Zantac was the only thing that helped with that.

My son was very sensitive and tense. He cried all the time for the first few months, and he was definatley calmer, and his body more relaxed after the sessions.
His joints and neck were very tight and restricted, and after 4 treatments he was much better.
So the therapy was worth it in that sense.

I can recomend Veronique Percebois at the Vitality Center, she is very honest about whether the treatment will be of any benefit.
Another friend went to her and she simply said her baby cries alot, but there isn't anything physically wrong, so the treatment wouldn't help.

 

[Sandra & Evan]

my daughter had reflux since birth, but the doctor said it wasn't serious enough for medication (as she was gaining weight properly), she just spit up her entire feed all the time. it wasn't until she was 2 years old (she was still vomiting often) that i brought her to the cranio-sacral therapist. after a few sessions, she doesn't vomit at all anymore, and i was kicking myself for not bringing her in as a baby.

i guess it can't hurt to try. then you can see if it really works for your baby.

 

[jools]

I used a cranial osteopath for a different reason, so can't really help with the reflux, but I would say if you are going to do it, get to the osteopath whilst your baby is still young, as it is much easier for them to work on small babies than it is on a writhing toddler.

 

[KatBoo]

Thanks. I think I will give them a call. Like you say, it can't do any harm and if it makes her more comfortable then there are no reasons to not do it.

K

 

[cemily]

Jools.

would you mind sharing who/cranial osteopath you consult pls? Are you seeing results?

Tks

Rgds

e

 

[jools]

Yes I saw Caroline Rhodes at the Body Group 10 Pottinger Street, Central-Telephone: 21677305.

Yes we saw results, especially with our second child. Number two and number three were treated by Caroline. Our second child was ventouse delivered, and the cranial osteopathy really helped with her head shaping. She also had a slight curving of the lower spine and this was also sorted out.

Our third one came out completely naturally and had the most beautiful round head. We had him treated, largely because the other two had had it, and also the birth experience is such a traumatic one, we felt that this gentle manipulation may help to ease his transition into the world.

Caroline also has other therapists that she employs to carry out the protocols. They are also excellent; one of the guys was actually so calming that I came out of the treatments feeling like he had been working on me as well.

I hope that helps.

 

[cemily]

Tks Jools.

e

 

[OsteopathIsrael]

Osteopathic Treatment of Reflux

Reflux is caused by a weakness of the muscle at the stomach which stops the food returning back up the esophagus. In adults this is normally strong and does it's job well, however in children it may take time to develop.

This muscle (sphincter) can be influenced by a number of factors.
i) Local weakness of the sphincter and the muscles around the sphincter
ii) Neurological - the nerve supply to muscle may be inefficient
iii) Postural - the position of the baby will influence the work load on the muscle

When a baby is born it goes through extreme stress to exit the birth canal and as a result many of it's tissues can become irritated. For example, at the base of the skull lies the Vagus nerve which directly influences the function of the digestive system. The Phrenic nerve which supplies the diaphragm (the muscle surrounding the sphincter) also is close to the head and the neck and may to become "locked" or irritated. These nevers may then prevent the sphincter from working properly.

There are many more factors involved but the job of the osteopath is to gently examine the infant and try and make a diagnosis which can take time and a little trial and error and therefore requires patience on the part of the parents.

For more information on the osteopathic treatment of children:
http://www.osteopath.co.il/babies-children.html

Best wishes,
Osteopath, Jerusalem, Israel
http://www.osteopath.co.il/home-eng.html