Copywriting and design by Cadogan and Hall, for Adelaide osteopath and chiropractor Amber Laris.

1. INFORMATION SHEET
Amber Laris
Chiropractor and Osteopath
Osteopathy for Children
Young bodies undergo a lot as
children grow into adults. First,
there are the thumps and bumps
incurred in everyday childhood
activity, as well as the knocks
and scrapes suffered when
playing sport. Then, there are
more severe types of traumas,
that can occur as the result of
an accident, that might include
serious falls, fractures or broken
bones.
Also, carrying heavy schoolbags, or
sitting for long hours at a desk studying
or using a computer can also create
postural issues for developing bodies,
such as asymmetry in the shoulders,
excessive slouching, walking awkwardly,
or having feet that turn in or out.
Therefore, while young bodies are
inherently flexible and resilient, they are
not immune to physical stresses that
have the potential to cause longer lasting
harm, beyond the normal rough and
tumble of growing up.
In addition, there are also
musculoskeletal strains associated with
the actual process of growing itself.
These are often dismissed as ‘growing
pains,’ but they can be an indicator of
an underlying, invisible problem, and so
could provide an early warning system
that a child might be on the way to
being susceptible to posture problems
as an adult. Therefore, while it might
be tempting to dismiss such discomfort
merely as part of growing up, it may
nevertheless have more significance.
Throughout this tumultuous time,
therefore, a regular osteopathic
examination and, if necessary,
treatment, can be extremely beneficial in

2. discovering any
unrecognised
problems and
eliminating
their impact
in the future.
Children
do have great resilience and, very
often, because they have no points
of comparison to be able to make the
judgement that some part of their body
isn’t functioning exactly as it should, they
think that discomfort or pain is ‘normal’
and so don’t make a fuss. Their rapid
healing abilities can also sometimes
mask that fact that lasting damage of
which they aren’t aware has already
been caused.
Flexibility is a key to being able to
continue to lead a physically active,
unencumbered life and so anything that
impedes a child’s mobility, strength or
balance, and that prevents the body from
functioning with freedom, is likely to have
consequences for their development,
both in the short-term and then into
adulthood. This is why it is so important
to resolve injuries at an early age, as
this can prevents year of compensatory
behaviour designed to cope with the
difficulty.
How does osteopathy for children
work?
The manner in which an osteopath
approaches working with children is
much the same as working with adults.
The first step is to undertake a thorough
and complete understanding of the
child’s medical history. This might
include discussion of their birth, early
development, and any injuries or illness
that they have suffered. There will also
be a complete physical examination
to determine whether osteopathy is
appropriate and/or whether other forms
of medical treatment may also be
necessary.
Following this examination, a
personalised treatment plan will be
prepared, which will outline what the
osteopath proposes should be the next
steps, and any ongoing treatments
that may be necessary. As part of
this, your osteopath will also make
recommendations regarding diet, lifestyle
and exercise that will be helpful in
going forward. This may also include,
if necessary, advice and guidance on
issues such as how to sit at a desk
when studying, how to position your
computer, etc., that are of particular
relevance to children and teenagers.
Osteopathy has an holistic approach
and so treats not only injuries and
problems, but works with the patient to
Osteopathy for children can be a highly effective way
of treating the normal sorts of injuries that occur when
growing up, from playground slips to sporting injuries, but
it has a range of longer lasting benefits as well

3. Amber Laris is a qualified and experienced
chiropractor and osteopath with a popular
practice in the heart of the Adelaide CBD.
Amber is dedicated to helping her patients
find a natural way to health and well-
being, and is able to work with parents and
children to treat childhood and sporting
injuries, as well as to help children to
correct issues concerning their posture
and how they walk.
Level 2, 33 Pirie Street, Adelaide SA, 5000
Telephone: (08) 8221 6100
www.amberlaris.com.au
www.amberlaris.com.au
establish the conditions
whereby problems aren’t
exacerbated or reoccur.
The benefits of
osteopathy for children
The very nature of
osteopathic treatment is
one of the reasons why
it is so effective in the
treatment of children. It is
extremely calm, gentle,
non-invasive, and totally
drug-free, and this is why
it appeals to parents,
and why the process is
one that children feel
comfortable with. It is also
extremely safe and has
no side effects. Generally,
after a treatment session
children feel invigorated,
as though after a sports
match or active play
session, and can be
expected to have a good
night’s sleep that evening.
Osteopathy’s approach
to caring for the whole
person also means that
young people receiving
osteopathic treatment
have an opportunity to
learn for themselves about
how their body works, and
the interconnectedness of
the nervous system and
other vital organs, making
them better equipped
to make good lifestyle
choices that will contribute
to their long-term health
and well-being.
Therefore, if your child has
hurt themselves playing
or in a sporting match
and is having trouble
moving freely, or you
have concerns about their
posture or how they may
be walking, for instance,
then osteopathic treatment
is something that you
should consider. Please
feel free to contact us to
discuss the situation, or
to make an appointment
to visit us at our Adelaide
CBD practice.
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