PAEDIATRIC OSTEOPATHY

What is Paediatric Osteopathy

Osteopathy for babies and children is a gentle, non invasive and safe form of treatment. Our Osteopaths are experienced in treating children and will give the baby / child a full check of their body, spine and cranium (Head). The Cranial bones are not fused in babies and they can overlap during the birthing process.

An Osteopathic assessment will check the head for asymmetry, misalignment of cranial bones (causing ridges between the bones) and muscular tension within the neck and the spine. We will often work on the rest of the body too, using gentle techniques to assess and remove any twists or strain patterns through the spine / hips and shoulders.

Our Osteopaths use a wide range of subtle hands-on techniques, including gentle specialised muscle and joint stretching movements and balancing techniques such as cranial osteopathy, with the aim of releasing tension, improving mobility and optimising the function of the bodily systems as well as giving relevant health advice.

What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a system of diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of medical conditions. It works with the structure and function of the body and is based on the principle that the wellbeing of an individual depends on the skeleton, muscles, ligaments and connective tissues functioning smoothly together.

Osteopathy recognises that structural problems not only cause pain and disability, but can also lead to dysfunction in body systems generally.

The body's natural ability for repair and immune response can also be compromised by misalignments and malfunctions of the musculo-skeletal system.

Osteopaths look holistically at the body and treatment plans are designed in order to re-establish the close relationship and free articulation of structure (bones / joints / muscles), nervous integration and movement of fluids.

Pre-Natal & Post Natal Care

During pregnancy the body undergoes significant structural and hormonal changes.

Pain is a sign that the body is having trouble adjusting to these changes, often this can be due to an old or unresolved injury or strain pattern that may have been symptom free before pregnancy, but with the added weight and the hormonal changes within the body the ligaments surrounding the spine and pelvis become more lax which creates additional instability.

All of our practitioners are skilled in treating expectant mothers and all of the techniques used are completely safe during pregnancy. Treatment is given in the sidel-ying position after a certain stage.

NB - We advise that you start treatment after the 12 week scan.

Some of the most common complaints that we can treat during pregnancy include:

Spinal pain, back and neck pain/stiffness
Sciatic Pain
PGP (Pelvic Girdle Pain) / SPD (Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction)
Muscle and soft tissue pain and injury
Rib/thoracic pain
Indigestion and Nausea
Pregnancy aches & pains
Postural advice
Preparation for labour and post-partum recovery

book an appointment in our children's clinic

Baby Care

Gentle effective care for conditions that commonly affect infants and children.
‘Unsettled’ babies or little ones who have trouble sleeping.
Difficulty latching on or bottle-feeding, sicking up after feeds, reflux or digestive difficulties
Treatment after a traumatic or long labour
Colicky or windy babies
Irritability
Excessive crying
Trauma from birth/ cranial moulding
Mechanical strains acquired during birth process e.g. long, difficult labour, forceps or ventouse.
Birth strains causing irregular shaped head
Ear, nose and throat problems.
Sticky eyes or squints
One sided sleeping postures.

Children & Teenagers Care

Bumps, falls and injuries
Recurrent ear infections / glue ear
Recurrent colds and coughs and other chesty conditions
Developmental delay
Behavioural issues in toddlers and children such as not sitting still, lack of concentration and excessive tantrums.
Respiratory Issues, such as asthma
Pain including headaches & migraines, growing pain
Postural issues such as scoliosis
Joint problems
Growing pain
Allergies
Digestive Issues
Skin conditions such as eczema
Behavioural problems
Neurological conditions including cerebral palsy
ADHD and ADD
Sleep issues
Emotional needs – depression or anxiety, worry, insecurity, fear, anger or stress

OUR PRACTITIONERS

Laura Pople

Proprietor of The Anderida Practice & Osteopath

BSc (Hons) Ost Med DO ND & Diploma in Paediatric Osteopathy

Osteopath, structural, cranial, visceral and myofascial approaches.

Laura is passionate about osteopathy, healing and supporting her patients on their journey of health and wellbeing.

She trained at the British College of Osteopathic Medicine in London, qualifying with a BSc (Hons) in Osteopathic Medicine in 2002. Her interest in cranial and pregnancy, babies and children, led to her completing a two-year training in paediatric osteopathy at the Osteopathic Centre for Children, where she obtained a diploma in paediatric osteopathy in 2005.

Originally based in London, in 2006 she set up her own osteopathic practice in Bali, Indonesia where she also treated at the not-for-profit birthing centre, Bumi Sehat, and gained experience in obstetrics, pre and post-natal treatment, and first aid, treating local Balinese of all ages.

Observing Balinese healers inspired her to incorporate parts of their technique into her own practice, resulting in her unique style of treating the physical body as well as addressing energy on a more subtle level.

After returning to the UK with her two young children in 2010, she began treating from home, which eventually grew into the osteopathic practice she runs at the Anderida Practice today. In 2020 Laura became the proprietor of the Anderida Practice as well as Director of the Anderida Project CIC.

Laura’s work is about meeting every patient with a compassionate heart and trust that every human being has an inherent ability to heal. She listens to the story of the body and meets the patient where they are at. Laura focuses on finding health in the tissues, releasing tension and holding patterns within the body, improving mobility and optimising structure and function. She uses a wide range of techniques but has a particular interest in the nervous, fascial and energetic systems. Laura follows the natural rhythm and unravelling of the patient’s body, resulting in a return to inner stillness, allowing a calming of the mind and a deeper connection to Self.

She continues to attend regular osteopathic courses, and is particularly drawn to areas of health such as mind-body connection and the role of consciousness and energy medicine in physical health.

Services:

Adults: Osteopathic Consultation & Treatments £80 (up to 1 hour session)

Children: Between £10 - £60 (at Acorn Children’s Clinic)

Contact Details:

Email: info@theanderidapractice.com

Mob: 07779 416 716

Clare Shaw

BSc (Hons) Ost Med - Registered Osteopath and Massage Therapist

Clare became interested in Osteopathy early on, a keen athlete and national level Judo player she developed a fascination for Anatomy and Biomechanics after receiving treatment for a back injury.

She completed a 4 year degree at the John Wernham College of Classical Osteopathy in Ewell, Epsom and qualified with a BSc(Hons) in Osteopathic Medicine in 2003.

She then went on to complete post graduate courses in Cranial Osteopathy and spent several years working in private practice using both structural and Cranial osteopathy, treating a variety ofpatients from pregnant women, babies and children, to athletes and the elderly.

Clare took a break from Osteopathic practice to have children in 2008 and during this time she took the opportunity to complete training in Lomi Lomi massage, a unique healing massage originating from the master healers in Hawaii. This massage complements the Osteopathic principles as it’s focus is to release tensions caused by physical or emotional strain and create balance within the body. The whole body is treated with a combination of releasing, mobilising and lymphatic drainage techniques.

Over the years Clare has created a very unique treatment incorporating some of the Lomi Lomi massage techniques to address soft tissue tensions and holding patterns, with a focus to align and balance the body through osteopathic techniques and principles specific to the individual’s condition and need.

A postural assessment looks for structural imbalance and immobility. Any problems areas will be addressed specifically and holistically within the treatment with an aim of finding structural balance and alignment, reduced tension and free mobility within the joints. This encourages the circulatory and nervous systems to function freely giving vitality and energetic balance within the body.

Clare attends regular post graduate courses to enhance, deepen and broaden her knowledge and skills.