by Dr Tupper | May 15, 2020 | Adults, Babies, Body Pain, Children, Elderly, General Information, Mums Pre/Post Birth, Osteopathy Treatments
Ear pain is an awful sensation. One of the main causes of ear pain is the infection in an ear. This may also affect the hearing ability of the patient. Acute otitis media is a condition normally observed in children, which is an inflammation of the middle ear.
The Eustachian tube is a part of an ear that can become affected by the otitis media. However, as we grow, this tube goes from horizontal to vertical to allow better drainage and as a result, most of us have less frequent episodes of acute otitis media.
The malfunction of Eustachian tube or its inability to open correctly results in the accumulation of fluid in the canal. The retention of this fluid may cause pain, hearing problems, dizziness, and infections.
Treatment of ear pain includes the administration of antibiotics and can even involve surgery. However, osteopathic treatment is a conservative option that is a non-invasive and medication-free method that you may want to try after seeing your GP for any appropriate scans or medications. At Bribie Osteopathy, we know there may be many different reasons for ear pain.
Different reasons for ear pain
This list is some of the reasons you may have ear pain.
Ear Infection
Trigger points in muscles referring into the ear.
Temporomandibular (TMJ/Jaw) problems
Dental Issues
Referral from facet joints in the neck
Cranial Bone restrictions
How does Osteopathic Treatment help?
Osteopathy is a type of treatment, which relies on the identification of the root cause and then working with Osteopathic techniques to deal with the problem. While treating ear pain, an osteopathconsiders numerous factors that may have an influence regarding the development of such an imbalance.
One of these factors is the physiological movement of the temporal bones. These bones normally move in a rhythmical pattern. The rotation is both internal and external. If the motion of one or both these bones creates a restriction, it often leads to congestion and may contribute to a blockage in the Eustachian tube due to decreased drainage from the restricted movement.
As a result, fluid may start to accumulate in the middle ear, causing the right environment for an opportunistic infection causing inflammation and eventually pain. These are the symptoms of otitis media.
This type of cranial somatic dysfunction may be the result of hypertonicity of the sterno-cleido-mastoid (SCM) muscle or birth trauma. The SCM muscle can have tight muscle bands or “trigger points that refer into the ear or the tension of a shortened SCM may restrict the temporal bone as it is attached to it. An Osteopath appreciates and can discern the differences by examination and palpation of the tissues involved.
Our osteopaths look for the ligamentous strain patterns, cranial strain patterns, somatic dysfunction, and sacral dysfunction (yes the other end of the spine may have a restriction that effects the cranium!). The osteopathic treatment plan includes the release of these restrictions by utilizing myofascial, osteopathic manipulative, and cranial release techniques.
Osteopathy for Whole Body Health
Here at Bribie Osteopathy,our experienced and qualified osteopaths utilize many different osteopathic techniques while using the wholistic (whole body) osteopathic approach to treat ear pain. While identifying the cause of this dysfunction, the osteopath examines the patient as a whole. The focus of an osteopathy treatment is not just related to the ear, but it analyzes the appropriate body systems and anatomy to see how they may have contributed to this issue.
Why us
AtBribie Island Osteopathy,we have over 25 years of experience in treating a variety of patients with many different conditions.
Osteopathic training is 5 years full time at University at Graduate and Masters level with many post graduate courses. We are constantly upgrading our expertise and skill level.
Please contact us for any further information about how we can assist you on 0404 888 151 or book online 24 hrs a day at bribieosteopathy.com.au
by Dr Tupper | Sep 24, 2019 | Babies, Mums Pre/Post Birth, Osteopathy Treatments
Post birth, both mother and baby may benefit from Osteopathy in the Cranial Field. Particularly if the birthing process has been long or difficult. Even a fast birth can have its problems. Infants are subjected to compressive and tensile forces which prime the body to be able to function. However, sometimes these forces can be strong, yet at times necessary to save the mother and baby’s life in an emergency. Particularly if the baby has been stuck for a while in the birth canal. Reflux is a common presentation in infants. This may relate to the troubles experienced by mothers and babies while feeding. This issue can be quite distressing for the parents. However, through careful and expert examination and palpation, the root cause of any imbalance in the tissues can be assessed.
There is a difference between “physiological” Gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) and severe pathological gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD).1
Cranial Osteopathy helps to identify and treat any restrictions related to childbirth, feeding, and reflux. Therefore, if your child is experiencing any level of discomfort, consulting with a qualifiedosteopath may be a viable option. Osteopaths are primary healthcare providers and trained to refer when necessary. Osteopathic treatment may assist breastfeeding alongside working with a lactation consultant.23
Infant Reflux
Infant (baby) reflux is a disorder where the infant brings up milk or cries after feeding. Silent reflux can occur without the baby bringing up milk. The baby with reflux is normally unsettled during and after a feed normally cries after feeding and at times during the night. This situation is uncomfortable for both the baby and parents. If left unattended, the reflux may lead to inflammation of the upper airways.
Reflux is a problem, which can appear in both breastfed and formula-fed babies. The major symptom of this disease is the rejection of a small amount of milk by the stomach.
Signs/Symptoms of Baby Reflux
Some of the typical symptoms include:
- Vomiting
- Hiccups & cough
- Posseting (passively spitting up)
- Irritable – cries during and after feeding
- Needs to sit upright to settle after feeding
- Unsettled sleep – frequently waking
- Noisy breathing
- Arching back, pulling up legs, stiffening body while trying to feed.
- Weight loss or inadequate weight gain
- Bad breath, gagging or choking at the end of feeding
- Anaemia
Causes of Baby Reflux
There are various areas where an irritation can be set up to cause reflux. Some of these areas include the Thoracic diaphragm (breathing muscle) that the esophagus (your baby’s food tube) needs to travel through. When this is out of balance, the sphincter (opening) that closes to stop the reflux occurring does not work properly. Milk comes back up along with acid that can burn the delicate lining of the digestive system. Rib and thoracic (upper back) tension can also create a “circuit” of irritation, as the stomach shares the nerve supply and one can upset the other. The Vagus nerve that supplies the stomach can also become irritated as it passes out of the base of the skull if the baby has suffered compressive forces such as being stuck in the birth canal.
Osteopathy aims to restore balance in any or all these areas and break the cycle of reflux and pain.
Other issues can be from food intolerances (dairy is common) as well as detoxification issues.
Feeding problems
Problems with latching and feeding may have many reasons. Tongue tie surgery is extremely common these days. It is important to look at where any cranial strains or issues in the palate may be interfering with a complex movement of the tongue and the ability for the baby to breath, suck and swallow all at once. This requires a lot of co-ordination (think of rubbing your tummy and patting your head while walking on a narrow beam!). Osteopathy aims to assist with the co-ordination and integration of these movements by relieving strain in the body.
Paediatric Osteopathy Treatment for Baby Reflux
Osteopathic treatment utilizes gentle techniques to address any imbalance or discomfort in your child. These techniques may involve movement of the joints through articulation, gentle stretching, and massage. The treatment helps to relax the ligaments and muscles. The treatment is responsive rather than assertive which means each baby is treated according to how their body responds. This requires a learned listening from trained hands.
At Bribie Osteopathy,our osteopath utilizes a wide range of treatment plans referred to as biodynamic/ craniosacral or cranial osteopathy (Osteopathy in the Cranial Field). Since the baby’s body undergoes stress and tension during birth, this may lead to various imbalances That may manifest as discomfort, irritability, and inability to settle.
An Osteopathmay consider using a combination of approaches to address feeding issues and sleep disorders of infants. Our osteopathic treatment may also involve breastfeeding guidelines and gentle exercise for the mother to help her baby. Osteopaths who work with babies and pregnant women often work in with midwives, birth doulas, lactation consultants and pediatricians as well as your GP.
A difficult, awfully long or very short delivery can create tension on an infant’s spine and ribs. This may disturb the proper functioning of the digestive system. It is not uncommon for a baby suffering from reflux disorder to stiffen and arch their back in pain. An osteopathcan reduce the tension within muscles and joints which may help relieve pain and discomfort.
Paediatric Treatment after Birth
Osteopathy offers a variety of treatments for newborns and young children. It is not uncommon to treat a newborn during the first week of their birth. The first six weeks of life is a golden opportunity to balance any strains from birth. It is also possible to address these strains at later stages as well. Osteopaths follow a soft and gentle approach while dealing with the immature body of an infant. Moreover, each baby receives a tailored treatment depending on his/her body needs.
While offeringosteopathy treatment to infants and children, our osteopaths utilize Cranial techniques. These are the non-manipulative techniques, which are very gentle.
Why us
At Bribie Osteopathy, we are experienced at treating babies and children of all ages. Our trained osteopath carefully treats infants and babies and treated in Sydney for many years before setting up Bribie Osteopathy in March 2019.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Rybak A. Gastro-Esophageal Reflux in Children. 2017;1–17.
2. Roy JH, Xhignesse M, Gaboury I. Efficacy of an Osteopathic Treatment Coupled With Lactation Consultations for Infants ’ Biomechanical Sucking Difficulties : A Randomized Controlled Trial. 2017;
3. Fraval M. A pilot study: Osteopathic treatment of infants with a sucking dysfunction. Am Acad Osteopat J 1998;8:25–33. http://ostemed-dr.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/myfirst/id/10310.
4. Smartt J. Research Studies on the Use of Osteopathy in the Treatment of Infants and Children. 2016;
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