Babies and children are not little adults. They suffer with different conditions and illnesses as they grow up, and their cognitive function takes time to form. That’s why we don’t treat them the same. With babies and younger children everything is done in a way that allows acceptance, and adaptation, and is considered in light of the wider picture i.e., birth. We treat them kindly and slowly so nothing feels overwhelming, and we use play, if necessary, to help us with our work.

Initial Consultation

Initially, parents will be asked to complete a medical case history, before attending an in-person consultation with their child. The case history will be discussed in detail at this first session, so we are absolutely clear about the child’s medical background. After this your osteopath will fully assess your child in accordance with their age range, discuss their findings, and design a treatment and management plan that works for everyone, all the time respecting the child’s needs and comfort.

PLEASE NOTE: If your child has not been to see us for 12 months or more, they will be treated as a new, not a pre-existing, patient. This is to ensure that we have adequate time to catch up on their medical history and for us to undertake a thorough examination.

Consent and Parental Attendance

ALL children under the age of 18 MUST be accompanied by a birth parent or legal guardian (appointment by the Court – not a parent) for their first consultation. Without exception. This is for the safety of the child and practitioner. After the consultation, children over 16 (if Gillick Competent) may be able to attend alone. This decision is solely that of the Osteopath, for the safety of all involved.

How Can Osteopathy Help?

Osteopathy for children focuses on supporting the body’s structure, movement, and comfort as they grow and develop. Using gentle, age-appropriate techniques, treatment is tailored to each child with the aim of promoting ease of movement and supporting their overall physical wellbeing.

Many parents choose osteopathic care for their children when they feel something isn’t quite right—whether their child seems uncomfortable, unsettled, or not moving as freely as expected.

Osteopathy offers a gentle, individualised approach that focuses on supporting comfort, ease of movement, and overall physical wellbeing, using techniques carefully adapted to each child’s age and needs.

We use osteopathy and cranial osteopathy in our treatments for children, because all our patients have different needs.

Note about the practitioners:

Children are not just small adults. That is why Eleanor and Dustie are both qualified as a Specialist Paediatrics Osteopathic Practitioners (SPOP) with a postgraduate qualification from the University College of Osteopathy, London. UK.

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