Cranial Manipulation for Infants: 5 Facts for Parents

When a baby has reached term and is about to be born, his or her bones, particularly the skull is made of very soft not-quite-bone material. The reason for this is to allow the baby’s head to deform slightly in order to fit through the birth canal. While usually this will correct itself over time, cranial manipulation for infants is one safe, gentle, and non-invasive technique that many parents use to relieve any trauma the baby may have experienced during birth.

As a baby moves through the cervix during labor, it causes the baby’s head to move in several different directions, while undergoing the pressure of the mother’s contractions on his or her skull. A newborn’s skull consists of plates of bone connected by cartilage that can overlap or compress in order to make the skull smaller. Some skull compressions often relieve spontaneously shortly after birth as the baby cries or suckles.

Occasionally, however, some times the un-deforming process is incomplete, particularly if the birth was difficult. For instance, some babies have a hard time traveling through the cervix and the doctor or obstetrician will be required to use forceps to grab the baby’s head and guide it through the birth canal. Additionally, a long labor or a caesarean birth may require cranial manipulation to help restore their skulls to normal.

Cranial osteopathy as the process is known, is complete safe and gentle for your baby, and is also effective in restoring the baby’s skull to a more normal head shape. The osteopathic specialist who performs the treatment will apply gentle and specific pressure to the parts of the skull, gently encourage the natural healing ability of the baby’s body to aid in the restoration of the skull.

Many babies react well to this treatment, leaving the baby relaxed and able to sleep very well afterwards. Some babies may experience a burst of energy directly after treatments followed by a restful night’s sleep. In most cases, two to six treatments of cranial manipulation will be sufficient.

For more information on cranial manipulation for infants, go to DrMcReynolds.com now! 

5 Ways to Deal with Baby Colic

Baby colic has long been one of the biggest stressors to new parents, and has caused more than a few sleepless nights. However, since there is no one particular cause for colic, it can be very difficult to diagnose and treat. If your baby is suffering from colic and you are losing your mind finding ways to soothe her, here are five ways you might be able to treat your child’s colic.

Feed a Little at a Time

It is largely believed that colic is caused by the baby’s stomach becoming acclimated to his or her new environment and to receiving food through some means other than an umbilical cord. Overfeeding can often lead to discomfort and gas. Instead, feed small amounts of breast milk or formula, roughly every 2 and a half hours.

Remove the Air

Another thing that can cause discomfort is when your baby accidentally swallows air while feeding from a bottle. You might try to find and purchase a gas-reducing bottle, or using a nipple with a smaller hole so the baby gets less air. Another trick is to sit the baby up while feeding.

Changing Your Own Diet

If you breast feed, your baby consumes everything you do. If you consume things like caffeine, dairy, nuts, eggs, or anything else that is a known allergenic, it may be causing stomach upset in your baby. Speak with your doctor about making any changes, and how to supplement them.

Use Sound to Calm Him

Babies generally respond well to white noise, or anything that provides a gentle hum, such as a clothes dryer, vacuum, or a fan. Alternatively, you could buy a white noise machine to place in your baby’s sleeping quarters.

For more information on how you can cure your baby’s colic, or to speak to a qualified pediatric specialist about your issues, click here now! 

Is It Time to See a Doctor About Your Neck Pain?

In our modern times, where we are constantly required to sit for the vast majority of our day, it is extremely common to experience pain and tension in the neck. Usually this strain and tension will go away within a few days and does not require a doctor’s attention. If you are seeking neck pain relief, you have come to the right place. Consider this your guide to treating your neck pain and getting the medical attention you need.

If your neck pain is fairly recent, for instance if it is caused from a hard workout or from a sedentary lifestyle, the following are a couple of self-care remedies for treating neck pain.

Massage – Even if you cannot talk a friend or family member into giving you a neck and shoulder rub, it is fairly easy to massage the sore places on your neck yourself.

Ice and Heat Cycles – Alternating with an ice pack and a heating pad, or frozen peas and a hot shower or bath is an ideal way to relax your tight and strained muscles.

Stretching and Strengthening – Tension in the neck can often be relieved by stretching the neck from the front, back and sides. If you spend a lot of your time sitting, you may be suffering from forward head, which may require you to strengthen the neck muscles.

One of the best ways to do this is to perform the superman exercise. Simply lie facedown with your hands above your head. Contract your neck and back muscles to raise your feet and hands off the ground. Hold the contraction for 3-5 seconds, and then release. Repeat for 5-10 repetitions.

When to See a Doctor

You need to schedule an appointment with your doctor if you experience neck pain that does not get better after using any of the at-home remedies above, or if your symptoms last for longer than a few weeks. Additionally, if the pain radiates down your arms, torso, and legs it could be a signal of a deeper underlying heart problem.

For more information on how to find neck pain relief through osteopathic treatment, go to DrMcReynolds.com now!

A Brief Introduction to Cranial Manipulation for Infants

It is common for people to believe that infants should not have any stress or strain on their bodies, due to their youth. However, in truth, being born can be one of the most physically stressful events the human body will ever experience. The baby’s body is subject to large amounts of force as the uterus pushes the baby through the birth canal. Cranial manipulation for infants is one way many parents elect to alleviate your baby’s bodily stresses.

During birth, a baby twists and turns its way through the bony structures of the pelvis. The baby’s skull is soft to accommodate this journey, allowing the soft bones of the skull to overlap and reduce the size of the head. It is not uncommon for the bones in the skull to bend and warp slightly as the baby exits the birth canal.

Often this journey results in babies being born with a slightly odd shaped head. Over the first few days of the baby’s life, his or her head will gradually begin to lose its molded shape as the baby cries, yawns, and suckles. However, at times, this process is incomplete, particularly if the birth required assistance from forceps or a ventouse.

As a result of this inability to restore the skull to a normal shape, some babies are required to live with some uncomfortable stresses within their head and body. While some babies can cope well even with severe retained molding and compression of the skull, others require special treatment to help restore their skulls to a normal shape.

An osteopathic physician can treat these symptoms using cranial manipulation. The baby’s skull will be gently massaged in a manner that has been proven time and again to be safe and effective. Very specific, light pressure is applied where necessary to alleviate tension in the skull and body. To find out more about cranial manipulation for your infant, go to DrMcReynolds.com today!

Can You Do Anything About Your Chronic Sinus Infections?

Typically an osteopath is called upon for musculoskeletal pains and aches, but one thing many people does not usually think of visiting an osteopathic physician for is chronic sinus infections. If you are suffering from painful sinuses, headaches, and face pain, visiting an osteopathic doctor may be just the trick for relieving your sinus infection symptoms.

What is a sinus infection?

First of all, it is important to understand what a sinus infection is and how it develops. The sinuses are cavities occurring in the skull, in the area between the eyes and directly below the eyes. When these cavities become blocked and are not allowed to drain properly, they become clogged with mucus, which can become infected given enough time.

How does cranial manipulation relieve congestion?

One of the key principles of osteopathy is that the bones in the skull are not fused in place, but instead are designed for to accommodate very small movements. Although these bones only travel within a few millimeters, this ability to flex and contract is important for your overall health. Some of these small bones can act like plungers on the sinuses to alleviate and redistribute some of the pressure.

When the mucus accumulates in the sinuses congesting them to the point of being unable to drain. When this happens, the pressure causes the bones of the skull to become rigid and unable to move. This diminished movement of the skull bones may not be a problem at first, when an upper respiratory infection overwhelms your sinuses ability to drain, it can cause intense pain and pressure.  

An osteopathic physician will gently massage your skull, releasing the pressure and restoring the normal range of motion to the bones of the head. Once normal motion is restored, the bones can be used like a plunger through cranial manipulation to drain the sinuses, increase blood flow, and speed healing.

To find out more about how to relieve your chronic sinus infections, click here!