While the benefits of orthopedic treatment for adults are widely known, we often overlook its benefits for infants. In fact, it often has amazing effects on babies, and its effects are very broad: difficult labor, restless sleep, digestive problems, persistent crying, breastfeeding difficulties, or recurrent bronchitis are all reasons to take your baby to an orthopedic doctor. Ready to give it a try?
How does orthopedic treatment work?
Orthopedic treatment views the body as a whole and is based on the principle that the various structures that make up the body (joints, ligaments, muscles, internal organs, etc.) are interdependent. Dysfunction in any part can affect other parts, leading to an imbalance in the entire body. Therefore, the goal of orthopedic treatment is not to treat symptoms, but to restore the proper mobility of tissues through manual techniques, thereby addressing the root cause of the problem.
This therapy, recognized by the medical association, is not a replacement for traditional medicine, but rather a complement, and often brings significant improvement. It is used in many situations: for adults, orthopedic treatment can relieve back pain, sciatica, and joint pain, and help treat a variety of problems such as constipation, urinary tract infections, asthma, earache, migraines, sleep difficulties, and stress disorders. It's also worth remembering during pregnancy: orthopedic treatment can help reduce pain and prepare for childbirth.
What is its use on babies?
No one is too young to see an orthopedic doctor! In fact, babies are particularly sensitive to this technique and often see remarkable results. It's always beneficial to take your baby for a quick check-up with an orthopedic doctor in the first few weeks after birth, as the delivery process puts a lot of stress on the baby and often results in minor trauma. In fact, some maternity clinics regularly schedule orthopedic consultations.
This examination is especially important if the delivery process is difficult: prolonged or rapid labor, forceps or vacuum extraction, breech presentation, induction, or cesarean section can often affect the normal functioning of the baby's skull structure. Orthopedic surgeons can detect and quickly address these issues.
Afterwards, an orthopedic surgeon can help resolve many issues: excessive crying, frequent spitting up, colic, digestive problems and acid reflux, breastfeeding difficulties, sleep disturbances, signs of anxiety, and recurrent bronchitis. In addition, it's important to develop the habit of carefully observing your baby: excessive bending when held, a flat back of the head, a head always tilted to one side, stiff limbs, abnormal posture, or lack of energy are all signs that may indicate minor obstructions, which an orthopedic surgeon can correct.
How is the treatment conducted?
Just like seeing a doctor, the treatment always begins with a consultation: the orthopedic surgeon will ask about the baby's birth process, behavior, any issues you've noticed, and the reasons for your consultation. Next, he will place the baby on the orthopedic treatment table, either lying down or sitting beside him, and perform various gentle techniques to check the mobility of different parts of the body, making corrections if necessary.
Adult orthopedic treatments sometimes produce a crisp "clicking" sound, but this is completely absent in infants: the techniques are extremely gentle and delicate, and entirely painless. Babies often relax completely and may even fall asleep during the treatment!
On the other hand, sometimes babies don't like the feeling (especially when their head is touched) and may cry. They are simply afraid of unfamiliar contact. Don't worry, your baby isn't suffering! Your calm companionship can help soothe them: hold their hand, talk to them, or sing their favorite lullaby to help them stay calm.
An infant's body is very flexible, and any blockages can usually be corrected quickly: one or two treatments, each lasting about half an hour, are usually enough to restore comfort and vitality!
