LE FRONTIERE DELL'OSTEOPATIA SONO VERAMENTE INFINITE.
DAL SITO www.occ.uk.com
"...Recent research published by the University of Nottingham's EPICure Study, and funded by the premature baby charity BLISS, showed that 50% of babies born at 25 weeks or less gestation showed a degree of disability when followed up at 2½ and 6½ years of age. Of these, 25% showed a severe disability. Being born so young places babies at tremendous risk, which is why paediatric osteopaths from the Osteopathic Centre for Children have been routinely treating premature babies at the neonatal intensive care unit at Barnet General Hospital for the last 10 years.
According to Stuart Korth, Director of Paediatric Osteopathy at the OCC, the effects of premature birth and the treatment in NICUs to keep them alive, can have a profound and long-lasting effect on a babies' body systems - but these effects can be reduced by the skilled and sensitive treatment provided by paediatric osteopaths.
Immature lungs forced to breath via mechanical ventilation often remain sensitive throughout life. Bronchiolitis may be common in infancy and, in some cases where there is a predisposition, may develop into asthma. Immaturity of the gut at birth may have long term effects, creating digestive problems. Intraventricular haemorrhage is common in premature babies, which can cause brain damage resulting in cerebral palsy and other problems. Paediatric osteopathy probably helps re-absorption of blood, and may reduce risk of hydrocephalus, so the effects of bleeding into the brain are probably lessened by treatment. The body, prematurely released from the womb is sensitive and uncomfortable and long-term postural consequences can be minimised by treatment. Very premature babies treated by paediatric osteopaths may have greater survival rate, and fewer after-effects of being born too soon.
"Premature babies suffer from a range of health problems," says Mark Wilson, Consultant Paediatric Osteopath who leads the team at Barnet. "Some because they are so small and not ready for life outside the womb, some caused by the delivery itself and others by the medical interventions necessary to keep them alive. We have seen that babies who received paediatric osteopathy regularly on the Unit are discharged sooner, need less long-term medication and have a better quality of life as older children."
"Despite being so small and so critical, Mark said she was full of life and had a definite fighting spirit inside of her. It was amazing how just by placing his hands on her head he was able to identify and correct mechanical disturbances and limitations."
Parents of Anushka, born at 24 weeks weighing 1lb 2oz
Treatment provided at Barnet NICU is both revolutionary and unique, but something that the OCC would like to see made available to all premature babies throughout the UK. As a charity, the OCC is dependent on donations from those whose children have received treatments, and others. With this support, the OCC can continue and extend its work, so every donation is vital. And as a charity, the OCC can provide treatment free of charge for those babies and children whose parents are unable to afford treatment elsewhere, making it a truly inclusive service.
"The treatment you provided played a key part towards the progress that our baby made within the Unit. After each treatment the positive effect was noticeable to all and it was obvious that it contributed towards her development... Despite her traumatic start in life we now have a very happy and contented baby. It's hard to believe she was born premature."
Parents of Ambra
If you would like to make a donation towards the work being done at the OCC and with premature babies at Barnet General Hospital, please use our donation form which will also enable you to Gift Aid your donation, immediately increasing its value to us."
Thank you.
For further information about the EPICure study please go to www.bliss.org.uk
