A traumatic and lengthy birth such as those involving forceps or a Ventouse procedure can cause the baby’s head to become misshapen. In such cases cranial osteopaths are often asked to help. Another symptoms babies experience which cranial osteopathy is believed to help is that of colic.
What are the symptoms of a traumatic birth?
The child experiences:
Continual irritability and crying
Bringing the legs in towards the stomach
Ventouse delivery and colic shows the belief parents have in cranial osteopathy.
A group of three muscles situated from behind the knee to the pelvis, the hamstring muscles allow the knee to bend. Over-stretching can damage them as can vigorous sport or intense gym work. Not stretching prior or after exercise can cause them to become shortened.
How to tell if you have hamstring strain
You experience:
A different walk
Stretching causes pain and the area feels tender
That area (where it hurts) feels weak and as if it’s about to collapse
Understanding how the hamstrings work give vital clues as to their modes of injury
Affecting up to 45 per cent of youngsters, growing pains tend to
hit between the ages of seven and 12. They are caused by the muscles
and not the bones. One hypothesis is that during a ‘growth spurt’,
a child bones grow rapidly. The muscles which surround these bones
struggle to keep up with the speed of the bone growth and therefore,
as they are stretched, become very tight. They pull on their
attachments via their tendons, which can be very painful, and can
sometimes result in conditions such as Osgood Schlatters. Growing
pains tend to make themselves known after a day of heavy exertion.
Although they are fairly common and can be painful and distressing, growing pains will not cause long-term damage.
How to recognise growing pains:
Cramp-like pain
The calves and thighs are most commonly affected
The pain occurs after a lot of running around or a busy day