Supporting your Baby’s Development and Comfort

Holistic Relief for Colic, Reflux, and Feeding Difficulties

Feeding & Latching Support | Colic & Reflux Management | Plagiocephaly (Flat Head) Assessment | Sleep Disturbance Support | Tummy Troubles | Soothing a Fussy Baby

Our Toronto clinic specializes in providing Gentle Osteopathic care for Newborns | Babies | Pediatrics

​Due to Osteopathy’s gentle nature and deep listening to the body, treatment is beneficial for all ages and abilities.

Osteopathy can be especially helpful for babies as they transition and adapt to life outside of the womb. Depending on their positioning while in the womb, or their birthing experience, babies can hold certain patterns or have preferences of movement within their bodies impeding and effecting the vital forces of the body; nerves, arteries, veins, and lymphatics. This in turn can lead to trouble with digestion, elimination, latching/feeding, sleeping, preferences of movement and a whole host of other challenges. An Osteopathic treatment aims to gently balance out these patterns, allowing the body to function more efficiently. As babies still have so much growth and development ahead of them, this only benefits them in their life moving forward, allowing them to grow and develop in their most balanced and harmonious way.

Erica has a special interest and love for working with newborns and babies and children of all ages as these little changes can benefit them for their life moving forward. Erica has years of specialized experience working with babies and children. 

Common infant conditions for which treatment is beneficial:

• Difficult or Traumatic birth (long labor, slow descent, rapid descent, cord around the neck, cephalohematoma, vacuum, forceps or C-section)
• Constipation
• Feeding difficulties 
• Poor latch | suck
• Tongue tie (shortened or attached frenulum)
• Reflux and spitting up
• Colic
• Torticollis (Head turning preference, head tilt, restricted movement of the neck)
• Plagiocephaly (Asymmetry of the head)
• Twin birth
• Hip dysplasia
• Tibial torsion (leg strain or twist)
• Shoulder dystocia (strained shoulder from the birth process)

​​My goal is for you to feel comfortable and relaxed when you arrive for your child's treatment. Here is what you can expect for your first visit:

The initial appointment is approx. 40 minutes. It includes a thorough, confidential health history, an assessment, and treatment. Please bring or wear comfortable non-restrictive clothing to allow free range of motion.

Palpation, observation, and motion testing will be used in order to find asymmetries, restrictions in motion, tissue tension, and/or sensorial changes within the body. ​The assessment and treatment incorporate the whole-body head to toe, as all parts function together in an integrated system.

🔸Align. Relieve. Restore.🔸​

---

​


The treatment is gentle and should feel relaxing. The body is gently manipulated to free up the restricted areas impeding the vital forces of the body (nerves, arteries, veins, lymphatics) providing overall balance to the structure.

Osteopathic manual therapists use levers and fulcrums to softly free up tight tissues and restricted joints. As structure and function are inter-related, the mechanical treatment has a neurophysiological effect, allowing the body to function more efficiently.

Follow up treatments are 25 minutes in length:

Treatment plans are based on individual health needs and on the body’s ability to heal, with improvement typically after 3-5 treatments. In more serious or chronic cases, a longer treatment plan may be necessary.

The end goal for each patient varies depending on the individual. An Osteopathic treatment aims to fix the root of the problem, opposed to temporary relief and frequent visits. We are working with natural law, and with the body, rather than against it to facilitate the healing process. This could mean more energy, better sleep, less pain, improved digestion, and a higher quality of life among many other potential positive effects. As Osteopathy treats the individual, each case is unique and may be preventative, curative, or palliative depending on the nature of the condition.

​Ultimately, Osteopathy aims to optimize the self-healing mechanisms of the body, helping you be your best!

🤰 Pregnancy and Pediatric Care FAQ

Is Osteopathy safe during Pregnancy?

Yes. It is safe for both mother and Baby. It helps the body adapt to shifting weight, eases pressure on the Pelvis and lower back, and can help with complications like Migraines.

When should a Baby see an Osteopath?

There is no minimum age, Babies can be seen from birth. We recommend a check-up every six months to help with growth spurts or minor tumbles.

How can it help my Infant?

We use extremely gentle techniques, such as Visceral Osteopathy (for digestion) and Cranial manipulation. It can help with:

• Latching and breastfeeding difficulties
• Colic, reflux, and gassy/trapped wind
• Sleep disturbances and excessive crying

Should you take a Baby to an Osteopath?

Yes, Osteopathy for babies is generally considered safe when performed by qualified and experienced practitioners. Osteopaths use gentle and non-invasive techniques tailored to the delicate nature of an infant's body.

How often should a Baby see an Osteopath?

An occasional check up with a Paediatric Osteopath may be helpful in alleviating any aches and pains, following bumps and falls, minor sports injuries or growth spurts. At Erica Pearson Osteopathy we recommend all children have a check up every six months.

Is Pediatric Osteopathy safe for Newborns?

Yes! Infant Osteopathy and Pediatric Osteopathy are extremely gentle. We use soft, non-invasive techniques like Cranial manipulation to help babies with latching issues, sleep disturbances, or birth-related tensions. If you are looking for a Pediatric Osteopath in Toronto, Erica Pearson provides a calm and safe environment for your little one.

When should a Baby see an Osteopath?

There is no minimum age. You can take your baby to an Osteopath from birth. If you have any particular concern, the sooner the better. The sooner the baby is seen, the easier it will be to detect and release the tensions that may upset the balance of his body and eventually create various inconveniences.

What are the benefits of Prenatal and Postnatal Osteopathy?

Prenatal Osteopathy helps the body adapt to the shifting weight of Pregnancy, easing pressure on the lower Back and Pelvis. Following Delivery, Postpartum Manual Osteopathy is essential for realigning the Pelvis and supporting the nervous system, helping mothers’ transition smoothly into the fourth trimester.

Can an Osteopath help a gassy baby?

Visceral Osteopathy can relax baby digestion by releasing muscle tension around the organs of the abdomen. This in turn improves the blood supply and healing of the gut and improves the motility or natural movements in the gut to help calm issues such as constipation, bloating/ trapped wind and abdominal discomfort.

How old does my baby need to be before they can see an Osteopath?

Osteopathic treatment is safe from just a week or so. We typically like parents to complete neonatal checks with their midwife before bringing a newborn baby to clinic. Osteopathic treatment is very gentle and safe at any age.

Is Osteopathy good for Pregnancy?

An Osteopathic treatment is an effective way to improve the body's ability to adapt to pregnancy, while also reducing discomfort. Osteopath can help reduce pregnancy complications such as: Migraines. Pelvic pain etc.

Is Osteopathy safe when Pregnant?

An Osteopathic treatment is safe for both pregnant moms to be and the baby, an Osteopathic treatment uses gentle hands-on techniques to help restore proper alignment to the body while ensuring the mother is comfortable throughout the course of her treatment. During pregnancy, women's bodies go through extreme physical and hormonal changes.

What does an Osteopath do for Infants?

An Osteopath can detect potential problems and correct them quickly. An Osteopath can help you with a multitude of issues: excessive crying, frequent regurgitation, Colic, Digestive problems and Reflux, Breastfeeding difficulties, Sleep disorders, Signs of Anxiety, recurring Bronchitis etc.