[Osteopathy in neonatology]

Osteopathy offers a variety of non invasive healing treatments for birth trauma and pediatric problems and it is a choice in Neonatology. It is the osteopaths' highly developed sense of touch that allows the physician to palpate (feel) the patient living anatomy. The osteopathic's job is to set the body up to heal itself, to restore this normal function. The osteopath gently applies a precise amount of force to promote movement of body fluids, eliminate dysfunction in the motion of the tissues and release compressed bones and joints. We report a study to determine the safety and efficacy of osteopathic treatments. The gentle nature of this treatment makes it particularly effective for babies. It can be used to reduce distress and trauma in babies delivered by forceps or after a protracted and difficult delivery (whose prolonged crying may be misdiagnosed as colic), and can be used to treat infants who become hyperactive. Among 4558 babies observed between 1999 and 2001 in our Neonatology Unit, 488 cases were observed by an osteopath and 155 cases have been selected for osteopathic treatment. The outcome measure was symptom relief. There were no adverse effects.