Stillpoint Osteopaths

06/03/2026

Understanding Birth Strains: How Your Baby’s Head Adapts at Birth

You may have heard osteopaths talk about craniomembranous birth strains, but what does that actually mean?

During pregnancy and birth, your baby’s head is beautifully designed to mould and adapt. The bones of a baby’s skull are not fused they are separated by soft sutures and supported by delicate dural membranes, which help protect the brain while still allowing some flexibility. This structure lets the skull bones shift and overlap slightly, helping your baby pass safely through the birth canal.

Moulding can begin weeks before labour, influenced by baby’s position in utero and even Braxton Hicks contractions. During labour, each contraction is absorbed through your baby’s body and head, gradually helping the cervix soften and open. The skull bones temporarily overlap, making the head slightly smaller for birth.

This is all normal and purposeful. 💛

But sometimes birth is a little more demanding.
• Labour may be long
• Baby’s position may not be optimal
• Assistance such as forceps or ventouse may be needed

In these cases, the delicate membranes and tissues of the skull can occasionally be stretched beyond what they can comfortably adapt to. This may slow your baby’s natural ability to fully rebalance.

You might notice:
• Moulding that doesn’t resolve quickly
• Swelling or haematomas
• Raised ridges along the skull
• A persistent head position preference

Our osteopaths are specially trained to gently assess these subtle tension patterns. Using very light, precise techniques, we support your baby’s own natural ability to restore balance and ease.

Could your baby benefit from gentle support? Book a session with our experienced osteopaths and help them move, rest, and grow with ease!

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36451623

04/03/2026

Structural Osteopathy: Gentle Hands-On Care for Your Body

At Stillpoint Osteopaths, we are widely recognized for our expertise in paediatrics and cranial osteopathy. What we are less known for is our structural osteopathy offering.

Janice Huang and Olivia Wells both provide structural osteopathy to address musculoskeletal injuries, strains, and movement restrictions, where appropriate. While cranial osteopathy focuses on subtle expressions of movement in the body to support deeper unravelling and resolution, structural osteopathy works more directly with the muscles, joints, and soft tissues.

Structural osteopathy can be particularly suitable if:

• You are looking for a treatment that involves hands-on techniques such as stretching, joint mobilization, or gentle manipulation.
• You enjoy a more tangible approach that gives a sense of immediate release or relief.

Both approaches have their place, and our team can guide you toward the method that best suits your needs and preferences.

03/03/2026

27/02/2026

When breastfeeding, do you notice milk leaking from the corners of your baby’s mouth?

A little leakage now and then can be completely normal. But if it’s happening often, it may signal that something isn’t working efficiently.

Common reasons include:

• A shallow latch
• Tongue or lip tie
• Fast or forceful let-down
• Tension in the cheeks, jaw, or tongue
• Restricted movement through the neck, spine, or pelvis

If it’s occasional, it may simply mean your baby didn’t latch deeply that time. Gently breaking the latch and repositioning can often make a big difference.

If you have a fast let-down, certain feeding positions can help your baby manage the flow more comfortably a lactation consultant can guide you through this.

But if milk is leaking at most feeds, it’s worth looking a little deeper.

A thorough assessment should include:

• A detailed oral examination (tongue, lips, cheeks, jaw function)
• Assessment for tongue or lip ties
• Evaluation of neck, mid and lower back mobility
• Screening for muscular tension affecting feeding
• Pelvic and overall body function

Effective feeding depends on more than oral function, neck mobility, spinal movement, muscular tone and overall body function and coordination all contribute.

Research supports this approach. A single-blind randomised controlled trial showed that osteopathic treatment alongside lactation support led to statistically and clinically significant improvements in infant latch scores (measured using the LATCH assessment tool) compared to lactation support alone.

If you’re concerned about latch, milk leakage, or feeding difficulties, send us a message or book an assessment. We’re here to support you and your little one every step of the way.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28027445

26/02/2026

Tuina:

We are grateful to have Jay Xi our Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner offering his services to our patients and the Mt Eden community. Jay specialises in Tuina massage both to adults and children. Jay also works at the New Zealand School of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine as a TCM Lecturer in Tuina Programme

Tuina is a hands-on external therapy in Chinese medicine that uses specialized manual techniques to stimulate acupoints and body regions, promoting healing and balance. It helps improve circulation, reduce pain and stiffness, support joint health, and regulate the body’s energy flow.

Conditions Treated:

• Musculoskeletal: Stiff neck, frozen shoulder, low back pain, tennis elbow, joint pain
• Internal: Stroke sequela, Insomnia, digestive issues, common cold, COPD
• Gynaecological: Irregular or painful periods, menopause symptoms
• Neurological: Headaches, migraines, vertigo

Tuina offers a natural approach to pain relief and overall well-being.

20/02/2026

Does your baby seem very stiff or constantly arching their back?

Back arching is common in babies and is often completely normal. Research shows infants use whole-body extension as part of early motor development. It can happen with:

• Frustration or overstimulation
• Self-soothing attempts
• Tummy time exploration

The Moro reflex (startle reflex) is also normal from birth and usually integrates by 3–4 months. Babies may briefly extend or arch when startled.

When is it worth looking closer?

If arching is frequent, persistent, or interferes with feeding, holding or dressing, it can sometimes be linked to discomfort.

One possible cause is Gastroesophageal reflux, where babies may arch due to oesophageal irritation. In rare cases, marked arching with reflux is described as Sandifer syndrome.

Look for accompanying signs such as:
• Feeding difficulties
• Frequent vomiting
• Irritability during or after feeds
• Poor weight gain

Arching can also be seen in babies with excessive crying, often labelled Infant colic.

Most arching is benign but if it’s constant, difficult to settle, associated with unusual movements, delayed milestones, or simply doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and seek professional advice.

If you’re unsure whether your baby’s arching is typical or tension related, reach out. Early support can provide clarity, reassurance, and gentle guidance tailored to your baby.

18/02/2026

Janice Huang has been part of the Stillpoint team since 2018 and is a skilled and caring practitioner. She is fluent in English and Mandarin Chinese, and is experienced in treating all ages and concerns.
Janice practices both osteopathy and western acupuncture, and can combine both techniques if required, providing a truly individualised treatment plan.

16/02/2026

Lower back pain, constant or recurring can be debilitating.

Osteopathy uses hands-on assessment to find the root cause (from feet to hips and even breathing patterns).

Reach out to the professional team at Stillpoint Osteopaths and work on a solution today, or get a personalised assessment today instead of and find relief today)
Or Reach out to Olivia Wells at Stillpoint Osteopaths and find relief today.

13/02/2026

Does your baby always turn their head to one side?

It could be Congenital Muscular Torticollis.

This is when a baby consistently holds their head tilted to one side, with the chin turned to the opposite side. It commonly involves a neck muscle called the sternocleidomastoid (SCM), which may be tighter or shorter on one side. Occasionally, a small lump can even be felt within the muscle.

If your baby prefers one direction and struggles to turn the other way, it’s worth having their neck assessed.

Why early diagnosis matters

In babies, the earlier torticollis is identified, the better the outcomes.
When a muscle stays shortened:
• It becomes tighter over time
• Less flexible tissue develops
• Neck rotation can become more limited
• Facial or head asymmetry can sometimes develop

Early treatment helps prevent these changes and supports more balanced development.

What causes it?

Torticollis is often linked to:
• Positioning in the womb (limited space or constraint)
• Strain during the birth process

What can help?
Gentle stretches
Encouraging your baby to turn toward their less preferred side
Supported tummy time
Professional assessment and guidance

If your baby isn’t turning their head freely, seems uncomfortable, or holds their head in an unusual posture, an osteopathic examination can help identify the cause and support early intervention.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31350358

Book an assessment to support balanced development early.

Congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) is a common postural deformity evident shortly after birth, typically characterized by ipsilateral cervical lateral flexion and contralateral cervical rotation due to unilateral shortening of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. New evidence is emerging on the pathog...

13/02/2026

Discover the effects of PEMF Therapy!

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) is gaining attention in healthcare for a reason, it supports your body’s natural healing mechanisms. Think of it like infrared saunas or ice baths: a way to enhance your health from the inside out.

Today I would like to highlight how PEMF can help with Osteoarthritis:

• Pain: Aching pain in or around the joint, often worsening after movement or use.
• Stiffness: Especially noticeable after rest or upon waking, usually improving within 30 minutes of activity.
• Swelling: Inflammation and extra fluid in or near the joint.
• Grating Sensation/Sounds: A crunching or cracking feeling (crepitus) or sound when the joint moves.
• Reduced Flexibility: Difficulty moving the joint through its full range of motion.
• Muscle Weakness: Weakness in the muscles supporting the affected joint.
• Bone Spurs: Hard lumps (bone spurs)

How it works: PEMF emits low-frequency electromagnetic waves through coils, reaching deep into tissues to stimulate cellular repair and restore function.
• PEMF has been shown to:
• Decrease pain
• Reduce stiffness
• Improve function and movement.
If osteoarthritis is slowing you down, PEMF could be a gentle, science-backed way to move better and feel better.

Ref:Phys Ther. 2020 Jul 19;100(7):1118-1131.doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzaa054.