WHAT IS OSTEOPATHY?
A manual treatment method
Osteopaths use their hands to examine and treat mobility, tissue tension, and the harmonious interplay of various body structures and systems. In premature infants, the focus is on their particularly sensitive and still-developing organism.
Osteopathic treatment complements medical care. It does not replace medical, nursing, or physiotherapeutic treatments.
SPECIAL CARE
The child's situation sets the framework.
In premature babies, any additional treatment must be appropriate to the child's medical situation.
Coordinate with the neonatology team . The team will assess whether the child is stable enough.
Experience with premature and newborn infants. The attending physician must be familiar with the requirements of a neonatal unit.
Gentle techniques. Jerky movements and strong stroking, or manipulations, are not appropriate for premature babies.
THE FIRST STUDY IN ERLANGEN
What was investigated?
The study started in December 2023 after a nine-month preparation phase. Its central question was whether regular osteopathic treatments influence the point at which premature infants begin to drink independently.
SCIENTIFIC SOURCES
Studies on osteopathy and premature infants
QUESTIONS FOR ASSISTANCE