---
title: "Paediatric Osteopathy: What Is It and Why May It Be Necessary?"
entity: "blog"
canonical_url: "https://www.bodycotoronto.com/blog/paediatric-osteopathy"
markdown_url: "https://www.bodycotoronto.com/llms/blog/paediatric-osteopathy"
lastmod: "2023-11-24T08:00:00.000Z"
---

Osteopathy is a holistic form of functional manual therapy that seeks to treat the underlying  causes of symptoms rather than the symptoms themselves. During pregnancy, labour, and delivery, a newborn child is subjected to immense pressure and  stress. This can create tension and strain patterns throughout the body that may cause a variety  of symptoms and may even impact the newborn’s growth and development.

At birth, a newborn children’s body is adaptive and malleable (especially the skull), creating the  possibility for a variety of structures in the body to be subjected to compression, strain, and  tension. This can create adaptations in the newborn’s body that can influence the body long  after the child is free from these stressors. These adaptations can affect the whole body and  influence things such as the shape of the head and face, the cranial nerves, the digestive  system, and the circulatory system.

Through Osteopathic Manual Treatment, various aspects of the body may be improved  including musculoskeletal function, digestive function, neurological function, sleep, improved  mood, and help with the overall development and growth of the child.

Common paediatric concerns that can be addressed osteopathically are:

- Breathing difficulties
- Ear, throat, nose concerns
- Feeding/Latching difficulties
- Tongue tie restrictions
- Colic
- Plagiocephaly
- Head/Neck/Jaw tension/immobility
- Torticollis
- Bowel irregularities
- Sleep irregularities

What Does Treatment Look Like?

Treatment begins with an in-depth history of pregnancy, delivery, and the growth and  development of the child. Once a detailed history is taken, a full body assessment will begin in  order to identify the areas of the body and the structures that may be influencing the  symptoms that your child is presenting with. Once this is done, any findings and impressions  will be discussed before treatment commences.

Paediatric Osteopathic Manual Treatment utilizes gentle, non-invasive techniques such as  myofascial release, craniosacral treatment, and visceral manipulation to help improve the  function of the body’s musculoskeletal, nervous, circulatory, and digestive systems. All  techniques are safe and applied to the comfort level of the child.

Andrew Feshanets

Osteopathic Manual Practitioner & Registered Massage Therapist

D.O.M.P, D.Sc.O, RMT, B.Kin

Andrew has training in Osteopathy, Massage Therapy, and has completed an  undergrad in Kinesiology at the University of Toronto.  He believes in a holistic  approach to treatment focused on restoring functional movement throughout the body. He is experienced in working with all ages and individuals from all walks of life to help restore balance to their bodies and achieve their goals.

Andrew specializes in acute and chronic conditions and traumas, with a special interest in the head and neck. Andrew has also completed additional training for treatment in post-concussion syndrome.  As part of Andrew’s osteopathic training, Andrew has completed a research thesis centred on “The Effect of Osteopathic Treatment of the Cranio-Facial Region on Nasal Patency” focused on the interrelationship of nasal respiration and osteopathic cranial treatment. Through this work, Andrew has experience training, educating, and treating individuals suffering breathing difficulties and breathing pattern disorders of all origins.

If you would like to work with Andrew, you can book into his schedule [here](https://bodyco.janeapp.com/#/staff_member/50).