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Gentle Osteopathic Treatment of new born babies at City Osteopaths

9/24/2017

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Registered Osteopath Aydan Hajyeva treating a new born baby.
Over the past twenty five years in New Zealand, the awareness of osteopathic treatment for babies has increased, however we are still often asked when to seek treatment for a baby. We also often see older children who could have benefited from treatment as a baby. We are keen that all babies and children who need help, receive it in a timely fashion.

This article is to inform parents when to seek osteopathic treatment for their baby and what to look for in an osteopath.

​A baby will often communicate there is a problem by being unsettled, irritable or wakeful.
​Symptoms in a newborn baby to be aware of are:
  • colic
  • excessive wind
  • continuous crying
  • difficulty feeding or a preference to feed from one breast
  • sticky eyes
  • sleeping difficulties
  • stiffness of the neck muscles
  • favouring the head to one side 
  • a misshapen head
  • tongue tie or jaw restriction
PictureRegistered Osteopath Melanie Young treating a young baby
What education do Osteopaths have?

Osteopaths train for forty hours per week for five years full-time at university and are required to competently pass well over one hundred exams and undergo clinical competency training and exams.

Osteopaths are government regulated and registered with the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand and must partake in ongoing professional education each year. We are also ACC treatment providers.

Osteopaths who treat babies and young children ought to have done extra post graduate study in addition to their undergraduate paediatric study.
​

Why would a newborn baby have anything wrong with them that is needing help by an osteopath?
A baby's passage through the birth canal is usually a difficult process however nature ensures that the bones of the skull are pliable enough to overlap to enable this to happen. Sometimes the bones do not return to their normal positions after delivery. This can happen if the labour is unusually long or fast, if there is a large baby passing through a small pelvis, if a baby has a large head or if intervention is necessary for example a forceps delivery or ventouse extraction. A baby may suffer a cranial base, neck, shoulder or back strain during the birth process. Pre-term babies may have strain from being out of the uterus too early and there is also likely to be alterations in nervous system function.

A Caesarian birth may involve trauma to the baby who is stuck in the mother's pelvis. Alternatively, problems can occur in utero if there is insufficient amniotic fluid.

Very often your midwife or lead maternity carer will refer you and your baby to see an osteopath for assessment and treatment, particularly if the birth has been difficult. We also work with Lactation consultants to help with feeding issues. This can include jaw and cranial base problems that may be affecting the baby's ability to latch, or to treat the tongue and surrounding structures in cases where a posterior tongue tie is affecting baby's function.

How soon should my baby see an Osteopath?
If there is nothing particularly troublesome going on for your baby then we recommend two weeks after the birth is a good time to have made an appointment as that gives you time to feel settled at home and also figure out how to get out of the house and travel with a new baby.
If the birth has been difficult or your baby is very upset and won't settle, then we recommend bringing them in to see a cranial osteopath as soon as possible.
​
What does the assessment and treatment look like?
First a medical history of the mother and baby is taken relating to the pregnancy and birth and any concerns you may have. Then your baby is gently assessed from their feet up to their head. Findings and treatment process are explained and then treatment will take place with your consent.
The treatment looks calming and is very gentle for your baby. If necessary we can treat your baby while they are being breast fed or sucking on a finger to help soothe them. Osteopaths use their hands to gently help the baby undo strains in the fascia (the connective tissues of the body), to help restore better alignment and function. We are also able to assist the autonomic nervous system of the body, calming the sympathetic and boosting the parasympathetic nervous system. This is very relaxing and helps the digestion to settle and ideally the whole body to be in self healing mode. Please note cranial osteopathy is not just to do with the head, any tissue in the body can be  treated with this gentle approach. Our clients find it is surprisingly effective.

Afterwards your baby may be more hungry than usual and be a bit unsettled or sleep for longer periods as their body works with the treatment to undo strains and find better alignment and health. 
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Ideally all pregnant mums would be assessed and treated at around 35 weeks pregnant to help balance up the pelvis and ready the connective tissues of the body for birth.
Research shows 
http://jaoa.org/article.aspx?articleid=2092759) that this results in a better birth with fewer interventions. This also means post birth we can see you for a one hour 'Mother and baby' check up together.

Some research:
Meta-analysis of research shows Osteopathic treatment reduces length of stay and costs in preterm infants. March 2017 insights.ovid.com/crossref?an=00005792-201703240-00043
Osteopathic treatment of children with cerebral palsyjaoa.org/article.aspx?articleid=2093549#72971939

Research evidence for cranial bone mobility:

http://www.icnr.com/articles/radiographic-evidence-of-cranial-bone-mobility.html
​
Research on cranial rhythmic impulse and the Traube-Hering-Mayer oscillation:
http://jaoa.org/article.aspx?articleid=2092406 
Research on measuring intracranial wave form pulsatility:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9779147
Pre-term-infants(Research:http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0127370 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3648440/)
Research on treatment of colic http://​www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1744388105001350
Research on plagiocephaly www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S174438811100020X
Research evidence on safety of Cranial Osteopathy: 
http://jaoa.org/article.aspx?articleid=2093194
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Thank you to the parents who have given us permission to use a photo of their baby.
For more information please see our website www.cityosteopaths.co.nz
For an appointment or if you have specific questions, one of our osteopaths can call you back on 04 4991439


Melanie Young 
B.A., B.App.Sc. (Clin.Sc.), B. Osteo.Sc. Reg. Osteopath, MONZ
Reg. Osteopath
Director City Osteopaths


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Acupuncture in Wellington for Pregnancy, Breech babies, Birth Preparation, Mastitis and Postnatal Depression

2/17/2016

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At City Osteopaths in Wellington, our acupuncturists train for four years full time to receive a Bachelor of Science degree and have many years of experience in treating pregnant women. 
​

Reg Acupuncturist and member of the Fertility Acupuncture and Childbirth Team (FACT),  Janine Nana explains: "Pre-birth treatments are done once a week from week 36 until baby is born. This 
birth preparation is to soften the cervix for easy dilation, gently promote baby to move lower into the pelvis, help you build up energy, which benefits baby too, and relax the tendons of the body to help you expand comfortably in this later stage of pregnancy and can help ease discomfort in your pubic symphysis, hip and ribs. Clinical research has confirmed that acupuncture can shorten the time between due date and delivery".  

Midwives may learn over a few weekends some simple acupuncture points to effectively help women prepare for labour, and to support them during labour.

She says that midwives noted labour time was shorter and that significantly less medical intervention was required if women received a series of acupuncture pre- birth treatments. 


Janine goes on to say,  "When needed, an acupuncture induction can work very well, offering a gentle alternative to a chemical induction. A single treatment may be sufficient, but three is more common. If you are about to be induced chemically it is a good idea to receive 3 treatments spaced close together". 


Our acupuncturists also turn breach or posterior babies. "It's so gentle. We stimulate an acupressure point on the feet by applying concentrated heat instead of a needle. Sounds odd I know, but around 70% of babies will turn. Even in late pregnancy it may work but the earlier we start the better as there is more room for baby to turn". 


Our Reg Acupuncturists Janine Nana and Sharlene McInness, also teach partners or support people some simple and very effective acupressure techniques to use in labour. It is easy to learn, and requires no massage experience. The techniques taught are great at easing pain during contractions. They can also calm the woman should labour become overwhelming. 


Finally, postnatal acupuncture may help you in a variety of ways. It can deal with insufficient lactation or mastitis. Fatigue and slow recovery issues are very treatable by using points that build energy. And crying a lot? You may have postnatal depression. It often feels like anxiety rather than depression, like not coping maybe. Others may not understand the depth of your not coping feelings. It may be beyond their experience to feel like you are feeling. While anti-depressants will help, try acupuncture first, as medication means you'll need to stop breast feeding. "We use acupuncture to balance serotonin to lift sadness, calm anxiety and balance stress hormones"

For more information visit our website here
Or call our reception staff on 04 4991439 to have Janine or Sharlene call you back
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Janine Nana B.Sc. Acupuncture, MNZRA, ACC Treatment Provider 
Janine graduated from the NZ School of Acupuncture in 2005. 
She is an ACC Registered Treatment Provider.
As a founding member of the Fertility Acupuncture and Childbirth Team (FACT),  Janine is able to assist couples trying to conceive naturally or employing assisted reproductive techniques, and assist women throughout pregnancy and labour.

More information is available at www.cityacupuncture.co.nz
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Osteopathic treatment for Pregnancy and birth at City Osteopaths and  Pregnancy Research

1/28/2015

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At City Osteopaths, all our Osteopaths are Registered with the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand and four of us are trained to assess and treat pregnant women. This includes specific medical history considerations, treatment positioning for comfort and the most helpful, gentle treatment approaches to ease pregnancy pains and prepare for birth. 

We can usually help reduce or eliminate back pain, neck pain, pelvic pain, headaches, sinus, rib pain and/or reflux during any stage of pregnancy. Working in with our pregnancy acupuncturists, Janine Nana and Sharlene McInness, we are able to help prepare women for labour and give space to babies who are breech which may enable them to turn head downwards naturally for successful labour.

We highly recommend all women make an appointment to get a one hour pre-labour back and pelvic check and treatment at around 35 weeks pregnancy. At this initial appointment we take a thorough medical history, do a physical and osteopathic examination so we can assess and assist your back, pelvic joints and associated soft tissues (muscles and fascia)  to be as well organised and balanced as possible for a successful labour. 

At City Osteopaths, we have helped hundreds of women have a successful birth with minimal or no medical intervention.

At around two weeks post birth we recommend you come in with your baby for a check up. 

Over the years we have found all women need their pelvis to be rebalanced due to the forces involved in being pregnant and birthing a baby. (Either through the birth canal or a caesarian section). Also if there is ongoing discomfort, we are able to gently treat the site of an epidural injection and ease the pain away. 


As of January 2018, four of  our Osteopaths are trained and experienced in treating babies. Sebastian Tucker, Aydan Hajiyeva, Chloe Brugne and Melanie Young.

We also are able to give post pregnancy advice for your best recovery including a planned return to exercise safely post birth.

Call us for an appointment 04 4991439 or if you have questions, one of our Osteopaths will call you back as soon as they are free.

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Melanie Young
B.A.,B.App.Sc.Sc.(Clin Sc),B.Osteo.Sc. MONZ

Reg. Osteopath
Director City Osteopaths
www.cityosteopaths.co.nz

Research to show that Osteopathic manipulative treatment slows or halts the deterioration of back functioning in pregnancy:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002937809008436


http://unitec.researchbank.ac.nz/handle/10652/1919#
This is a permanent link to Anna Kurth's Osteopathic treatment in Pregnancy research.

INTRODUCTION TO THE TOPIC
It is becoming increasingly common for women to seek complementary and alternative
therapies for alleviation of common complaints associated with pregnancy (Adams et al., 2009).
These complaints can severely impact on women’s quality of life and in some cases affect their pregnancy and childbirth experience (Borggren, 2007; Olsson & Nilsson-Wikmar, 2004).
Alongside this, anecdotal claims have been made that osteopathic treatment can decrease
labour duration by ensuring that biomechanically, the pelvis is working effectively and is
therefore more able to comply with the added demands of pregnancy and the infant’s descent (Borggren, 2007; King et al., 2003). This is thought to play a role in decreasing the need for interventions such as forceps and ventouse extraction. Identifying the attitudes and experiences of women who have experienced osteopathy during pregnancy will offer further information regarding the role osteopathic care played in their pregnancy and birth experience. Research into the effects of osteopathic treatment for this sector of the population is limited and it is hoped that by gaining insight into the attitudes and experiences of the women, valuable information will be added to current literature, providing a research base on which further studies may be conducted. ​
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Acupuncture for Pregnancy and Birth, Wellington

11/9/2014

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Article by City Osteopaths Reg. Acupuncturist, Sharlene Green- McInness 


Recurrent pregnancy loss can be benefited with Acupuncture treatment, assisting with related immune factors, emotional distress, and hormonal imbalances. Acupuncture is also supportive of a developing foetus by improving blood flow supply and preventing involuntary uterine contractions. Balancing the hormonal interaction between the Hypothalamus and Pituitary Ovarian axis (HPO axis) regulating the body’s natural hormone production and Progesterone levels. This results in improved ovarian egg quality and a rich nourishing Uterus lining for a developing embryo, encouraging a 9 month stay.

Acupuncture can be very helpful during pregnancy and in the lead up to labour. During pregnancy we can help with such things as Morning sickness, Emotional issues and Muscular aches and pains. Leading up to labour, Acupuncture works with preparing your body for eminent labour by encouraging efficient ripening of the Cervix, assisting with energy reserves, encouraging baby’s descent and helping with baby positioning. I will show you beneficial Acupressure points that birthing partners can use to provide pain relief and assist a straight forward efficient labour.

We often receive referrals from midwives for breech babies. The treatment involved is very gentle but effective. In the treatment, I burn a Moxa stick (heated Chinese herbs) over a point on your foot. This heat is just another way of stimulating the point. Then I give you a stick of Moxa to take home and repeat the treatment yourself, daily for 10 days. For expectant mothers going over their due date Acupuncture can also be used to gently encourage the body to naturally go into labour without induction, encouraging uterine contractions and promoting labour.

Several studies have been conducted exploring the use of Acupuncture to prepare woman for labour; the first being in 1974. The results of this research concluded Acupuncture received on a weekly basis from 37 weeks, was beneficial in reducing the average labour time from 8 hours 2 minutes to 6 hours 36 minutes (in the Acupuncture group).

Further research conducted by Zeisler into the use of Acupuncture points from 36 weeks showed positive effects on first stage labour duration shortening from 5 hours 35min to 3 hours 27mins in the group who had received Acupuncture.

Research into Acupuncture from 35 weeks gestation has shown the following statistics:

·         35% reduction in inductions performed (first pregnancies 43%)

·         31% reduction in epidural rate

Kubista E, Kucera H. Geburtshilfe Perinatol 1974; 178 224-9. Zeisler H, Tempfer C, Mayerhofe Kr, Barrada M, Husslein P. Influence of acupuncture on duration of labour Gynecol Obstet Invest 1998; 46:22-5. Betts D, Lennox S. Acupuncture for prebirth treatment: An observational study of its use in midwifery practice. Medical acupuncture 2006 May; 17(3):17-20

In Asian culture it is customary for woman to have a 30 day rest post labour. Understandably society doesn’t exactly facilitate this occurring... The focus of Acupuncture treatments post-delivery are directed towards; mood balancing, assisting with energy levels, facilitating lactation and milk production.

Reg. Acupuncturist Sharlene Green- McIness
City Osteopaths
www.happybodyacupuncture.co.nz
​www.cityosteopaths.co.nz
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