The specialist was very happy with the changes so took the baby off the omeprazole, removed the nasogastric tube and cancelled the stomach tube surgery. The baby started to put on weight as the intake of solids was increased and has continued to improve.

The baby needed a couple more osteopathic treatments to help as he started to grow. The baby has had no more reflux and the cheeks are normal healthy skin. I have recently followed up with the mother and now a year on, the baby is doing well, eating well and has had no more oral aversion or reflux.

In Australia and New Zealand, Osteopaths study intensively for five years full-time at University, are  required to be registered by the their respective professional councils and do ongoing postgraduate study each year.

Only some osteopaths treat babies as it takes time, aptitude and practice to develop the skills. The treatment is safe and very gentle. Osteopaths learn to use their hands to gently treat strains in the body. Facilitating blood supply, nerve supply and venous and lymphatic drainage enables the body to heal as well as possible and as quickly as possible.

Please note, not all babies with reflux will respond as rapidly as this baby did. Reflux is usually multi-factorial so other management strategies may also be necessary.

​There is a growing body of global research to support our work. Our practice would be happy to participate in further research studies.
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Here is a link to information on gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
Also a link to a very small scale osteopathic research paper on treatment of GORD

Thank you to the parents who permitted me to write up their baby's case. These photos are not of their baby but are a fair representation.

My son developed eczema under his arm and on the left side of his torso about three weeks ago. We had not changed his diet, nor the cleaning agents for our clothes or household. Life was pretty relaxed as we were on school holidays. I suspect the causative factor was some molluscum contagiosum which had recently popped up in the same dermatomal/skin area.

It was typical atopic eczema, very itchy, with rough dry skin. No natural oils or other options from commercial eczema type creams to herbal tincture creams, worked, despite being applied nightly over several weeks. I was loathe to use steroids due to the skin damage it can cause over time. I also wanted to treat the cause if at all possible.

Being a mum who is also a Reg. Osteopath, can come in handy at such times so I made time to assess him osteopathically before bed one evening last week.

On examination I found his central nervous system was very irritated where the nerves from the eczema affected skin, return to the spinal cord. By calming down these nerves with gentle cranial osteopathic techniques, the itchiness eased about 80 percent overnight. It wasn't completely gone but he was no longer struggling with the discomfort. 

Over the past week it has slowly eased further and he is now left with just some small molluscums and no sign of eczema and no itchiness.

I wanted to share this on here in case it can help another family who have a baby or child suffering from atopic eczema. 

As it had only been there a few weeks, I suspect it was more easily able to resolve rapidly over less than one week after only one treatment. When eczema has been there a much longer time it is likely to take longer to resolve. However if your osteopath is skilled in this area they will be able to feel what is going on in the central nervous system and be able to give you an idea of how much it should improve after each visit. 

Thanks for reading.

If you would like further information please call our practice 04 4991439 and one of our osteopaths will ring you back when they are available.

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