As a matter of fact, Osteopathy help get better head’s shape.
There are a number of different kinds of cranial asymmetries and each cranial shape exists for its own particular reason that maybe or maybe not be a problem. But when the shape invalidates functions we need to take care of it.
If a baby turns his head to one side more than the other, if his head falls predominantly to one side when lying on his back, on a play mat, sleeping, resting,or if he/she finds more difficult to nurse from one side maybe these are not just habits.
The delivery
A baby’s head is perfect for protecting the brain during birth, and to cope with passing through the birth canal. His skull is made up of many bones that are not fused together.
This helps the baby’s head to be flexible and pass through the birth canal and also enables it to grow rapidly in the first year of life.
But this also means that the shape of the baby’s skull can be altered by external factors such as baby’s position in the womb, a difficult labor, neck stiffness or lying only on his back.
Positional Plagiocephaly ( also know as Flat Head Syndrome) could be the consequence/cause. This type of misshapen head is most common, and more importantly most cases can largely or completely resolve.
Osteopathy, changes of position and tummy time can be the solution.
Osteopathic Treatment will help restore good balance and mobility in the whole baby (skull, neck and so on) so he is growing up with good foundations for development.
Skull development
The development of the skull in the infant is mainly dependent on the brain that initially causes the growth of the skullcap.
The skeleton of the face grows at a different speed, tied to the development of functions such as sight, hearing, smell, sucking, chewing, swallowing, phonation, etc.
Being a single unity though (face, vault and base of the skull), each anomaly on one part will affect the rest (not only the cranium but the entire body) creating mobility limits and tension in internal structures that could manifest in the shape of various diseases such as sinusitis, otitis, mandibular joint problems, bad occlusions, headaches but also nausea, vomiting, postural problems etc ...
Osteopath can help in resolving and/or preventing these disorders since the very first moment of a newborn (don’t forget that the childbirth causes a mechanical stress on the infant, expecially for his/her cranium).