Posted by Caroline Collard on Apr.16, 2009

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Osteopathy is one of the more recognized and accepted therapies for many conditions, on the line between conventional medicine and complementary medicine. It was founded in America by Andrew Taylor Still in the mid 1870s, after he became unsatisfied with the orthodox medicine he was practicing. It came to Britain in the early 1900s. Much of the research was undertaken by William Garner Sutherland at the beginning of the 1900s.  Osteopathy involves the use of very gentle manipulation to correct any structural problems in the body. Generally, osteopaths are very well qualified and regulated. Some osteopaths also study cranial osteopathy which involves the movement of the fine bones in the skull which can be of particular relevance in those with autism and other neurological conditions. Cranial osteopathy is not generally used on its own, but as part of an all round osteopathic treatment.

I have found cranial osteopathy very helpful with my children. When babies are born the bones in the head move when they travel down the birth canal, normally they will move back into place, however sometimes this does not happen and can lead to all sorts of problems. Obviously the more difficult the birth the more likely that this will happen.

The cranial osteopath will gently move the bones into place. Osteopathy is not just for bad backs and other structural problems it is also used on colic, crying, irritability, disturbed sleep patterns, learning difficulties, glue ear, epilepsy, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, autism and many other problems.

I have found that osteopathy and cranial osteopathy has helped all my children and myself. My son was born with what is known as a parallelogram head, when looked at from above his head was shaped like a parallelogram. Apparently there is a link between this and autism. I have taken him to the osteopath regularly from when he was 3 months old and the improvement is sometimes quite considerable. I have noticed incredible improvements in his behavior even before I have got him home. Once I went into the supermarket on the way back and he asked for a toy out of the vending machine there. He had never asked for anything in his life until then.

My daughter used to scream for hours, but after one trip to the osteopath it stopped almost immediately. She has had quite a few ear infections over the years, but as long as she is taken regularly then these don’t happen. The cranial osteopath ensures that the bones in the ear canal are correctly lined up and therefore then reduces the places for infection to occur.

For myself, I have found that regular trips to the osteopath have helped keep my stress levels under control and helped me to feel more in balance.

Other than after birth, problems requiring osteopathy are most likely to occur when the child is growing fast, because the bones don’t all grow completely in balance with each other and therefore are not exactly lined up. So, for instance, ear infections are more likely to occur during a growth spurt. Other causes include falls and accidents, emotional stress, poor posture and a unsuitable mattress.

The treatment is really gentle and it feels like she is not doing anything at all. Osteopaths are also used to treating children who cannot sit still, although obviously it is harder for them. My osteopath must have dreaded me going to visit when my twins were at the crawling stage, she used to crawl around the floor after them, treating them as she went!

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Posted under Alternative Treatments, Autism.