Osteopaths have been successfully treating structural dysfunction in newborns since the beginning of the profession. Infantile colic, chronic ear infections, insomnia, irritability, constipation, plagiocephaly, suckling dysfunction, reflux, and asthma are some of the most commonly treated dysfunctions.
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A preliminary assessment of the impact of cranial osteopathy for the relief of infantile colic.
AbstractIn this open, controlled, prospective study, 28 infants with colic were randomized to either cranial osteopathic manipulation or no treatment; all were seen once weekly for 4 weeks. Treatment was according to individual findings, and administered by the same practitioner. Parents recorded time spent crying, sleeping and being held/rocked on a 24-hour diary. A progressive, highly significant reduction between weeks 1 and 4 in crying (hours/24h) was detected (P<0.001) in treated infants; similarly, there was a significant improvement in time spent sleeping (P<0.002). By contrast, no significant differences were detected in these variables for the control group. Overall decline in crying was 63% and 23%, respectively, for treated and controls; improvement in sleeping was 11% and 2%. Treated infants also required less parental attention than the untreated group. In conclusion, this preliminary study suggests that cranial osteopathic treatment can benefit infants with colic; a larger, double-blind study is warranted.
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Effect of osteopathic manipulative treatment on gastrointestinal function and length of stay of preterm infants: an exploratory study
In a population of premature infants, osteopathic manipulative treatment showed to reduce a high occurrence of gastrointestinal symptoms and an excessive length of stay in the NICU. Randomized control studies are needed to generalize these results to a broad population of high risk newborns.
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Multiple studies have demonstrated the successful treatment of Otitis Media with OCF. These studies showed improvement in health as measured by fewer ear tubes, improved tympanography (a measure of the movement of the ear drum and existence of fluid in the ear), and a significant reduction of the need for antibiotics in children suffering from recurrent ear infections (otitis media). As a result of these positive findings, plans for a multi-site clinical trial are in development.
- Mills MV, Henley CE, Barnes LLB, et al. The use of osteopathic manipulative treatment as adjuvant therapy in children with recurrent acute otitis media. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. 2003;157:861-866.
- Steele KM, Kukulka G, Ilker CL. Effect of osteopathic manipulative treatment on childhood otitis media outcomes. Poster presented at the American Osteopathic Association 102 Annual Meeting and Scientific Seminar 1997 (Oct) grant # 94-12-400.