Newborn Birth Trauma Therapy & Condylar Decompression in Houston, TX

Birth Compression Effects and Newborn Health Support

If the compressive forces during birth are too great, they can overwhelm the nervous system, preventing the skull bones from fully re-expanding to their natural state after delivery. Even if a birth appears uncomplicated, significant compression can still occur.

An abnormally quick labor can be just as overwhelming as a long and difficult one. These compressive forces can leave lasting imprints on the newborn, leading to structural imbalances and a range of symptoms. Symptoms may vary from mild irritability to more serious conditions.

Early intervention, such as osteopathic treatment for newborns, can help address these issues, promoting better structural balance and supporting the infant’s nervous system. This holistic approach to birth-related compression can help ensure optimal development and alleviate potential symptoms.

Cesarean Section and Birth Trauma in Newborns

• May be necessary to save the life of the newborn.
• May be necessary when the infant becomes stuck in the birth canal for extended periods, putting extreme pressure on their little heads.
• May be scheduled, for a variety of reasons.

Many infants born by Cesarean Section first endure a long period of labor, with their heads lodged in the maternal pelvis. The delivering physician may also apply considerable force to the child’s head, attempting to free the infant from the pelvic bowl. Though born by Cesarean Section, these infants may still experience birth trauma affecting the head due to significant cranial pressure.

Some infants born via cesarean section do not encounter any compressive forces. We might think that the lack of trauma in a C-section is the best for the infant. But other factors come into play.

Birth Canal

We need to be squeezed through the birth canal

This squeezing initiates a cascade of events that readies us for the outside world:

• Fluid is squeezed out of our lungs.
• Pressure is created for a powerful FIRST BREATH
• Our central nervous system is stimulated and begins to organize.
• Dramatic changes take place in our circulatory system.

The changes taking place in the circulatory system are staggering. Intra-uterine life is very different than life outside the womb:

• The umbilical vessels spasm shut. Blood no longer comes from or goes to the placenta.
• A hole in the heart (foramen ovale) closes.
• The lungs now infiltrate and oxygenate the blood (ductus arteriosum closes).
• The liver now metabolizes (ductus venosum closes).
• The kidneys now filter the blood.
• The GI tract now absorbs all nutrients.

These adaptive changes must occur systematically and orderly, and place huge demands upon the newborn. When the transition to extra-uterine life is too quick, these changes in the vascular system become disorganized.

Osteopathic Physicians perceive this disturbance as a “shock” or irritability that establishes itself in the nervous system of the infant; and the potential cause of many problems. Though no apparent trauma may have occurred, the infant may be irritable, weak, or susceptible to infection.

Therapy for Birth Trauma in children, Houston tx

Osteopathic treatment helps ease the shock of birth and restores vitality, allowing the nervous system to relax and heal, so normal maturation processes can follow. While not all issues can be fully resolved, many can be alleviated. For some, osteopathic therapy is the key to improvement.

Much like adults, each infant is constitutionally unique. Some infants tolerate significant birth trauma without issue, while even the smallest disruption can affect others. We are all born with individual sensitivities, and life’s challenges affect us differently.

What results can you expect? Each child’s response is unique. Some experience a rapid and complete resolution of their symptoms, while others may need multiple treatments for partial improvement. Children with developmental delays may not show immediate changes, but they will start to mature at a more typical rate over time. Each case must be evaluated on its own merits. As a general rule, seeking treatment as soon as possible after a traumatic event is most effective.

Infants can benefit greatly from receiving treatment immediately after birth. The less time traumatic forces have to settle into the tissues, the easier it is to clear them. Remarkably, even long-standing stresses embedded in the nervous system can still be addressed, even many years later.

If your child is affected by birth trauma, the birth trauma specialists in Houston can assist in helping your newborn recover. Visit Osteopathic Healing Hands for specialized care—our expert therapists are here to support you and your child.

A long and difficult birth can sometimes result in a screaming, irritable baby who struggles to sleep or nurse properly. Such was the case for one infant diagnosed with Infantile Colic. The parents were distraught, not only from their inability to comfort their baby but also due to their own lack of sleep. Upon palpation, an “occipital condylar compression” was discovered. After just two or three Condylar Decompression treatments, the baby calmed, and both sleep and nursing improved significantly, restoring harmony in the household. Osteopathic treatment can not only ease the early months of life for both parent and child but can also provide long-term benefits by addressing underlying issues that may affect other cerebral functions later in life.

Infantile Colic is often caused by excessive pressure on the infant’s occiput during birth. The occipital bone, located at the back of the head, consists of four parts that fuse into a single bone by the age of seven. These parts surround crucial cranial nerves and allow the spinal cord to pass through the foramen magnum (the “large hole”).

During birth, as the infant’s head passes through the bony pelvis, it must flex, rotate, and extend. The occiput, typically the presenting part, is subjected to a variety of forces. The four parts of the occiput may twist or compress, irritating the cranial nerves and sometimes even the spinal cord. This can result in issues such as impaired sucking, gastric irritability, and altered muscle tone.

Osteopathic treatment involves gently placing the clinician’s hands on the posterior occiput of the distressed child, promoting decompression and untwisting of the occipital bones. The entire infant is evaluated and treated to restore fluid continuity and balance throughout the body, helping alleviate discomfort and promote overall well-being.

Infant Colic Relief with Stretch Therapy

The long-term impact on newborns who experience trauma during birth can be profound, often leading to physical disabilities, cognitive disabilities, mental health disorders, emotional and behavioral issues, and deep effects on relationships. Trauma at birth is also strongly associated with allergies and can exacerbate many health complications in early childhood.

In addition to allergies, some common problems associated with birth trauma include:

• Infantile colic
• Chronic upper respiratory infections
• Sleeplessness
• Chronic ear infections
• Spitting up / reflux
• Chronic nosebleeds
• Difficult sucking
• Recurrent urinary tract infections
• Clumsiness
• Bed wetting
• Abnormal muscle tone
• Digestive disturbances
• Learning disorders
• Developmental delays
• Eczema
• Seizures
• Asthma
• Cerebral palsy
• Spinal cord injury
• Bronchitis