Stillpoint Osteopaths

20/03/2026

Is your baby only rolling one way?

In previous posts, we’ve talked about how important it is for babies to turn their heads fully to both sides. When this movement is limited, you might notice differences in rolling or baby is finding it challenging to roll.

You may see that your baby:

• Rolls only one way (left or right)
• Rolls from back to tummy but not tummy to back (or vice versa)
• Struggles to roll at all

Limited head and neck movement including difficulty turning or being able to extend the neck backwards can slow this important motor milestone. These restrictions are often linked to joint tension from the birthing process, which can affect how your baby moves, strengthens, and develops their muscles, bones, and joints.

Plenty of time on their tummy, back, and sides helps build strength. But if certain movements aren’t progressing or feel uneven, it may be worth having things checked.

Call Stillpoint Osteopaths to book a baby assessment and see how gentle osteopathic care could support your baby’s development.

19/03/2026

At Stillpoint Osteopaths, we’re very lucky to offer Paediatric Tuina massage with Jay Xi, a fully qualified practitioner in this gentle and effective therapy for babies and children.

Paediatric Tuina uses light, rhythmic movements applied to specific acupuncture channels and points, mainly on the hands, arms, legs, tummy and back.

Unlike adult massage, it’s:
* extremely gentle
* oil-free
* short and child-led (usually 5–20 minutes)

Because children’s bodies respond quickly, even small, precise input can make a big difference.

How does it work?

In TCM, children’s systems are considered immature but highly responsive. Tuina aims to:
• regulate the flow of Qi (energy)
• support organ function (especially digestive and respiratory systems)
• calm or stimulate the nervous system as needed
Because children respond quickly, small, precise input can have a big effect.

Common reasons paediatric Tuina is used

It is often used to support children with:

Digestive issues
• reflux
• colic
• constipation or diarrhoea
• bloating and feeding difficulties

Respiratory & immune concerns
• recurrent colds
• coughs
• asthma-like symptoms
• low immunity

Sleep & regulation
• unsettled babies
• difficulty sleeping
• irritability or restlessness

Development & musculoskeletal support
• stiffness or asymmetry
• delayed motor milestones
• poor head or trunk control

What does a session look like?

• The child remains fully clothed
• Treatment is often done on a parent’s lap
• The therapist may demonstrate simple techniques parents can safely do at home
• Sessions are adapted to the child’s mood — stopping if they become unsettled

Is it safe?

Yes, when performed by a trained paediatric Tuina practitioner.

It is:
• non-invasive
• gentle
• drug-free
It works well alongside Western care, osteopathy, or acupuncture rather than replacing medical treatment.

How is it different from osteopathy or cranial work?

You may find this useful given your osteopathic background:

• Tuina works primarily through meridian pathways and reflexive points
• Cranial osteopathy works via tissue tension, fluid dynamics and nervous system regulation

Many families use both approaches because they can be highly complementary.

Call Stillpoint Osteopaths and speak with our team to find out more.

17/03/2026

13/03/2026

Does your toddler or child snore or breathe through their mouth at night?

Many parents assume snoring in young children is normal but it’s often a sign worth checking.

Babies are typically obligate nasal breathers for the first few months of life (meaning they primarily breathe through their nose). Even as children grow and can breathe through their mouth, persistent mouth breathing or regular snoring isn’t usually considered normal.

In some children, these signs can indicate intermittent partial blockage of the upper airway, sometimes called sleep-disordered breathing. In more significant cases it may be related to conditions such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

What can happen when airways are obstructed?

When airflow is restricted during sleep, children may experience:

• Snoring
• Mouth breathing
• Pauses in breathing (apnea)
• Reduced oxygen levels or altered carbon dioxide levels

Daytime effects

• Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
• Irritability or behavioural changes
• Difficulty with attention, learning, and memory

Growth and development changes

Chronic mouth breathing has also been linked in studies to changes in facial and jaw development, sometimes called “adenoid facies”, which can affect dental alignment and oral health.

Common causes in children

One of the most common reasons for airway obstruction in children is enlarged tonsils and adenoids. These tissues are part of the immune system and can enlarge due to:

• Recurrent infections
• Chronic inflammation
• Allergies such as Allergic Rhinitis

In some cases, medical treatment or surgery may be recommended by an ENT specialist.

A whole-child approach

Alongside medical evaluation, it can also be helpful to look at factors that influence breathing, including:

• Breathing patterns and mechanics
• Mobility of the chest and neck
• Lymphatic drainage in the head and neck
• Nasal airflow and airway function

Supporting these areas may help children breathe and sleep more comfortably.

If your child snores regularly, sleeps with their mouth open, or seems restless at night, it’s worth having their breathing and airways assessed. Early evaluation can make a big difference to sleep, development, and overall wellbeing.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38660420
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40648867

11/03/2026

Many of you will know our wonderful and ever-gregarious Ashleigh Kirkwood, who celebrated 20 years with Stillpoint Osteopaths last Friday.

Two decades of dedication is an incredible commitment to any workplace, and it speaks volumes about the kind of person Ashleigh is. She is fiercely loyal, deeply caring, and always looking out for the needs of our patients. Ashleigh has an amazing ability to be one step ahead supporting our practitioners and making sure every patient who walks through our doors feels looked after.

We are incredibly grateful for everything she brings to our team.

We would also like to acknowledge Ashleigh for the huge contribution she has made to Stillpoint over the years. We are so proud to see her pursuing an exciting new chapter as co-owner of restaurant Milenta. While this has meant stepping back from a full-time role with us, she continues to support the clinic part-time, something we are very grateful for and have been delighted to support.

Our team is shaped by the amazing people in it, and we feel very lucky to have Ashleigh as part of the Stillpoint family.

If Ashleigh has been a support to you, leave her a message!

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.

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.