All Kelly Daly Osteopaths have specialist training in the area of Cranial Osteopathy. These postgraduate skills enable us to extend the Osteopathic model to the treatment of the head and face. This is extremely useful in the treatment of babies and children.

It is a common belief that babies and children should have no structural stresses or strains in their bodies because they are so young. The reality is very different. Birth is one of the most stressful events in our lives. The baby is subject to enormous forces as the uterus pushes to expel the baby against the natural resistance of the birth canal. The baby has to turn and twist as it squeezes through the bony pelvis to the outside world.

The bones of the head are uniquely designed to overlap like the petals of a flower to reduce the size of the head as it is being expelled, and the bones will bend and warp as the baby descends. This natural ability enables us to absorb the stresses of a normal delivery.

If the labour is interrupted, prolonged, or requires intervention such as suction or forceps, the baby’s ability to absorb these stresses may be overwhelmed, and it may be left with strains, compressions or torsions though its head or body.


In fact, some misalignments may be acquired before the birthing process even begins. Strains may be present before birth if the baby’s head has been down for a long time before delivery, or if he has been lying in a cramped position.

Caesarian babies may also benefit from Osteopathic treatment. They may have had an unusual lying position within the womb which caused a build up of pressure through the head or pelvis, or a prolonged and difficult labour that ultimately ended in a Caesarian section. Even with planned section babies the action of the very quick birth can often lead to irritation of the nervous system.

Although many of these problems will resolve naturally there is a significant percentage of babies who struggle to recover and who exhibit symptoms such as:

• Colic
• Sickness and wind
• Digestive upset
• Sleeplessness
• Poor feeding and latching on
• Excessive crying
• Recurrent sickness or illnesses
• Recurrent otitis media (ear infections)
• Poor settling
• Dislike of being held
• Dislike of lying in certain positions
• Inability to turn head or neck

These issues can often be traced to a strain or injury through the body, head or pelvis. This may be a source of pain in itself, or the injury may have resulted in an irritation of the many nerves and blood vessels that lie in close approximation to these bones such as those that supply the tongue, stomach, sinuses, ears etc. If these strains are unresolved into childhood, the immune system may be compromised so that the child becomes susceptible to:

• Recurrent infections of the tonsils, ears adenoids or sinuses
• Poor resistance to infection
• Asthma
• Chest Infections

If there is prolonged or excessive irritation of the nervous system the child’s hormonal balance may be disturbed leading to:

• Behavioural problems
• Prolonged bed wetting
• Poor sleeping.

Although many of the cranial strains we treat arise during the birth process it is also possible to pick up injuries after birth through falls,accidents, operations, dental work, orthodontics and daily postural stresses and strains. Infection and illness may also create strains within the body, which frequently need to be addressed to halt a cycle of recurrent infection.