At reCentre Health, we offer expert osteopathy care for children from newborns to teenagers (ages 0-18). Our dedicated team specialises in addressing a range of concerns, from easing the tension caused by birth and delivery to managing growing pains and posture-related issues as children develop. We provide gentle, tailored treatment to support your child’s overall health and wellbeing, including assistance with feeding issues, teething discomfort, walking and crawling difficulties, as well as stress and pain management. With specialists in cranial osteopathy for newborns and care designed for every stage of growth, we’re here to help your child thrive naturally.
Common conditions we treat:
Our Osteopaths are experienced in treating a wide range of conditions in babies, children and adolescents.
Newborn and babies:
- Releasing tension and discomfort from birth and delivery – especially in babies delivered using forceps or ventouse. Our osteopaths can help release restriction and tension in the head to decrease discomfort when being touched or lying down.
- Breastfeeding and cluster feeding issues – releasing tension in the jaw, head, neck to help improve position for latching, feeding and calming baby to reduce cluster feeding.
- Babies needing to be held continually or swaddled – babies who have experienced a C-section, a fast delivery or some sort of stress around or just before delivery can be in a state of stress or anxiety which manifests in wanting to be constantly held, being very light sleepers or being jumpy or needing swaddling. The gentle nature of Cranial Osteopathy can ease this anxiety and lower the tone of the nervous system.
- The stiff arching back baby – treatment can relax and calm the baby by releasing compressive tension usually caused by a long delivery. These babies will often throw themselves backwards, have stiff necks and are upset when lying on their backs.
- Curled up baby – these babies usually have their knees curled up so they are like a little ball. Often these babies have had a surprise like a C-section or a fast birth and therefore haven’t had their bodies stretched out properly as they travelled through the birth canal. This curled knees up position can result in windy, colicky and reflux problems all of which can be relieved with treatment.
- Teething – when the teeth descend they tend to cause slight position changes in the jaw and temporal bone which effects ear drainage and can cause earache . Osteopathy can help release this tension and encourage drainage.
Children and Adolescents:
- Growing pains – Muscles grow quicker than bones and cause various aches when those muscles pull on the bones.
- Postural changes and issues – Often seen during growth spurts or due to prolonged sitting, particularly with increased screen time.
- Stress – When children are stressed as they find it hard verbalising the tension that builds up in their bodies and their behaviour can change. Osteopathy can help release the tension and calm nervous system.
- Osgood-Schlatter Disease: Common in physically active children, especially those involved in sports, causing knee pain.
- Sever’s Disease: A condition related to physical activity, causing inflammation in the heel and discomfort.
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Scoliosis – Osteopathy can assist with pain management and posture advice.
Booking a Children’s Osteopathy Appointment
We have a team of Osteopaths who are skilled in working with babies, children and young adults. Their expertise ensures that your child receives care and treatment tailored to their unique needs. Please see below for more information about the osteopaths who offer osteopathy treatment to children.
- Marcia Hugall and Ruth Levitan treat from newborn to 17 years
- Chris Gaia and Hamza Taha treat ages 7 – 17 years
You can book an assessment online with your chosen practitioner, please book this under the child’s name rather than the parent or guardian. If you are claiming through BUPA or AXA PPP please contact our reception team on 020 8672 4455 to book your appointment. You will need your membership number and pre-authorisation code.
If you have any questions or queries about specific conditions we are able to treat in children, please get in touch with us at info@recentre-health.co.uk
Our Children’s Osteopaths
MARCIA HUGALL BSC (HONS) OST, MSC PAED. OST
- Bachelor of Science in Osteopathy
- Master of Science in Paediatric Osteopathy
Ages: newborn – 17 years
Marcia Hugall is a fully qualified, GSoC registered osteopath. She became a MSc in Paediatric Osteopathy in 2009 and has worked at the Osteopathic Centre for Children, Foundation for Paediatric Osteopathy.
Marcia has lectured at the both the British School of Osteopathy and the London School of Osteopathy. She is also a member of the Cranial Academy, a branch of the American Academy of Osteopathy, having carried out post-graduate study in the USA.
Marcia is a registered osteopath with BUPA, AXA PPP and other private medical insurance companies.
RUTH LEVITAN M.OST
- Bachelor of Science in Osteopathy
- Master of Science in Paediatric Osteopathy
Ages: newborn – 17 years
Ruth is one of our resident Paediatric Osteopaths. With over 20 years’ experience as an osteopath, she specialises in the treatment of babies, children and post-partum mothers. She holds a Masters in Paediatric Osteopathy from the Foundation for Paediatric Osteopathy and is a tutor at the University of Osteopathy on their Post-graduate Diploma in Paediatrics.
Ruth uses a variety of techniques when treating you or your child, and particularly favours gentler methods such as cranial osteopathy, which suit a wide selection of patients and problems. She uses her extensive experience as a practitioner and lecturer in the UK and Australia to treat patients of all ages.
Ruth is registered with most insurers including Bupa and AXA PPP.
In her spare time Ruth enjoys walking, cycling and yoga. She is a mother to young twin boys.
HAMZA TAHA M.OST
- Master of Science in Osteopathy
- Diploma in Sports Massage Therapy
Ages: 7 – 17 years
Hamza is a qualified and fully registered osteopath, who graduated with a Master’s degree from the University College of Osteopathy.
His primary passion lies in restoring functionality for patients from diverse backgrounds, adopting a holistic approach when treating his patients. He ensures they receive individualised care and advice, enabling them to lead fulfilling daily lives.
During his university journey, Hamza undertook placements in specialized HIV and geriatric care. This invaluable exposure has deepened his understanding of musculoskeletal conditions in a variety of patients.
He holds a diploma in Sports Massage Therapy. Over the past two years, he has worked with a diverse range of patients, expanding his therapeutic skill set and providing tailored treatments.
Beyond his work, Hamza is deeply passionate about sports, and his personal interests reflect this commitment. He enjoys regular exercise and has a background in both football and karate. Being trilingual, fluent in English, Arabic and Hebrew, enabling him to effectively connect with patients from various cultural backgrounds.
CHRISTOPHER GAIA BSC (HONS) OST
- Master of Science in Osteopathic Medicine
- Master of Science Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy
Ages: 7 – 17 years
Christopher is an experienced Osteopath who has practiced in Balham for many years. You probably already know someone local who has visited him. He has expertise in conventional Osteopathy as well as Cranial Osteopathy and Western Medical Acupuncture. This varied approach enables him to treat a wide range of ailments and a wide range of people, from babies through to the elderly.
Christopher qualified from the British College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2003 with an Honours Degree in Osteopathic Medicine, a Diploma in Osteopathy and a Diploma in Naturopathy. He completed Cranial Osteopathy training levels 1, 2 and 3 soon after. He is also qualified to perform Western Medical Acupuncture and has to prescribe orthotics (tailor made shoe inserts to balance the body).
He has recently completed his Masters in Stress & Pain Management.
Chris is a registered osteopath with AXA PPP, AVIVA, WPA. Chris is not taking on any new patients registered with BUPA.
