Colleen Kent for 17 years experience in Osteopathy and Women's health in the Eastern Suburbs. As a registered Osteopath, with a degree in Anatomy and Physiology from UNSW she has a depth of knowledge and experience in treating men, women, children and babies.
Please scroll down for more information on mothers babies and children.
SERVICES
Osteopathy for Males and Females
• ☺ Arthritis, joint problems, whiplash Neck & back pain
• ☺ Migraines, headaches
• ☺ Muscle, tendon, ligament injuries
• ☺ Sports and work related injuries
• ☺ Post-operative pain
• ☺ Digestive, menstrual & other body system problems
• ☺ A range of breathing problems
• ☺ Spinal curvature (scoliosis)
• ☺ Nerve pain, e.g. sciatica, tingling arms/fingers
• ☺ Pre- and post-natal difficulties
For Mothers and Babies
Even during pregnancy mother and baby can be treated because of the gentle nature of the treatment. Cranial Osteopathy can help ease some of the physical discomforts that often accompany pregnancy and can be helpful in preparing for labour. Treatment can also be effective after the birth, in assisting the recovery of mother and baby, especially if they are in shock.
Prenatal
☺ Improve fertility
☺ Help the body adapt to pregnancy
☺ Reduce morning sickness
☺ Resolve back pain, headaches, nerve pain and more
☺ Assist optimal fetal positioning
Post-natal
☺ Help the body recover from pregnancy and childbirth
Cranial osteopathy is effective for many problems both in the pre-partum and post-partum period. I have also worked with Francesca Nash and Naturopath Vicki Turner and their successful regime for pre-conception care and fertility. (see www.fertility.com.au).
During pregnancy, I use cranial osteopathy to help a woman’s body adapt to the changes and effectively treat things like nausea, backache, headaches, sciatica, symphysis pubis dysfunction and more.
Cranial Osteopathy for Young Babies
Birth can be a traumatic experience for both mother and baby. During delivery the baby’s head is compressed and moulded to travel through the birth canal. The bones of the head are designed to flex and overlap during this journey and many of us can bear witness to some of the resulting odd shaped heads. After delivery the head gradually un-moulds over the next few days. However, this unmoulding process may be left incomplete, especially if the birth has been difficult. In cases such as these cranial Osteopathy can be particularly effective. The Osteopath can work to gently release tension in the baby’s body and can often relieve discomfort.
NEW BORN
☺ Unsettled-colicky baby, problems feeding and sucking,
☺ Behavioural problems and learning difficulties
☺ Poor sleep pattern, Restlessness and irritability
☺ Breathing problems Digestive problems
Babies both in and out of the womb can benefit from cranial osteopathy. As the end of the pregnancy approaches the baby should be dropping into the best position for birth. If the baby appears to be stuck on the bones of the mother’s pelvis or for some other reason not in the optimum position, osteopathy and cranial osteopathy may help them move into a better position.
During the birth process, there are large compressive pressures on the baby’s head. Often the baby will have an altered head shape and may be uncomfortable and crying. To a certain extent the baby can self-correct the moulding that occurs during the birth process. Frequently, however, there is incomplete resolution of the moulding. Treatment with cranial osteopathy helps to complete this process, enabling the nervous system and brain to develop to their highest potential.
The birth itself can be traumatic, especially if forceps or vacuum extraction were needed. Even Caesarian section can be difficult if there was a prolonged period of labour beforehand. This can produce an irritable, sleepless baby who doesn’t feed well. Cranial osteopathy uses subtle techniques that addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of the baby’s distress. This results in a calmer, happier baby.
Babies who have had 'normal' births can benefit from treatment too. There can be hidden problems that are easy to resolve when young, but become more entrenched and difficult to treat as time goes by. A check-up soon after birth and regularly for the first year, can help ensure that the baby develops to their full potential.
Babies born prematurely benefit from treatment that calms them and promotes development while enhancing their vitality. The sooner a baby is treated, the better.
What problems can cranial osteopathy help with in older children?
As the child grows, the effects of retained moulding can lead to other problems. The following are the most common, but it is by no means an exhaustive list.
Ear infection
Recurrent ear infections, gradually becoming more frequent. May lead to 'glue ear' and some temporary loss of hearing.
Retained birth compression within and around the bones of the ear impedes fluid drainage from the ear with partial or complete blocking of the Eustachian tube. Infections may never fully clear, leaving a vulnerability to the next infection and a depleted immune system.
Sinus and dental problems
Persistent mouth breathers. Constantly blocked or runny nose.
Impaired growth and drainage of the sinuses and bones of the face due to retained moulding compression. Later, this increases the chance of dental overcrowding.
Behavioural problems and learning difficulties, and special needs
Poor concentration, constant fidgeting, difficulty sitting still, hyperactivity.
Continuation of the restlessness as a young baby. Retained moulding compression makes them uncomfortable in one position for too long which becomes habit forming.
Headache, aches and pains
Headaches begin age 7-8. Growing pains. Vulnerability to sprains, or other aches and pains.
Retained moulding may focus areas of pressure in the skull, as the bony joints of the skull fully form at around the age of 7-8 years. Patterns of tension retained in other areas make the body more vulnerable to strain and fatigue.
Asthma
Vulnerability to chest infections. Aggravation of all degrees of asthma from mild to severe.
Retained moulding compression can aggravate a tendency to asthma. General lowered immunity leads to more chest infections. After infections, the chest remains tense and the ribs do not return to full function, aggravating an asthmatic tendency. Osteopathic treatment to release birth stresses and help to improve chest function is often beneficial in reducing the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.
Cranial osteopathic treatment
Osteopathic treatment using the cranial approach is gentle, safe and effective for babies and children. Very specific, skilled, light pressure is applied where necessary to assist the natural ability of the body to release stresses and tensions.
I have also noticed a correlation between glue ear, impaired hearing and behavioural problems. After treatment, when the ears were draining properly and the child could hear again, behaviour improved.
Osteopathy and cranial osteopathy can be used to improve breathing mechanics, helping to resolve the emotional cause.
Children are prone to accidents and injuries while playing or while engaging in sports. I have treated bumps to the head, blows to the face, back pain and joint strains. Treatment speeds up the healing process and prevents ‘knock-on’ effects developing in other parts of the body. The alignment of teeth can be a problem for children too. As they grow, some children find that they need orthodontic treatment. Osteopathy to help a child’s mouth, jaw and body adapt to the changes produced by dental appliances.]
Cranial Ostepathy for Seniors
Osteopathy and cranial osteopathy for seniors has many benefits including improved mobility, less pain and reduced need for pain medication. Many seniors find that osteopathy helps to ‘keep them going’, maintaining their independence and autonomy. Others notice that they feel ‘better in themselves’. My oldest patient was in her late 80’s and was having back pain from severe osteoporosis. I was able to treat her through her corset to keep her comfortable and mobile.
Osteopathy is a safe, effective and versatile form of natural medicine. It does not use drugs or surgery and is an alternative and complementary
Cranial Ostepathy
When can Cranial Osteopathy help?
Cranial Osteopathy is very gentle and safe and is suitable for people of all ages. It can even be used during pregnancy, in painful conditions, and for tiny babies.
Finding a Cranial Osteopath
Osteopaths undergo a minimum of four years training at University. Cranial Osteopaths should still be registered with the Osteopathic Registration Board, which regulates the profession.
What is cranial Osteopathy?
Cranial Osteopathy aims is to treat the whole person, not just the condition, so a wide range of conditions in children and adults may benefit from treatment including allergies, autism, back and neck pain, headaches, sinusitis, stress and circulatory problems.
Cranial Osteopathy is a specialist area of Osteopathy that concentrates on the fine movements of the bones of the head, the cranial bones.
QUALIFICATION DETAILS
B.Bsc G.D.O
Service Categories
Osteopathy
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