About osteopathy treatments

What is cranial osteopathy ?

Cranial osteopathy is one of the tools of the osteopath, and while ideally suited to children is often a perfect treatment for adults too.

Cranial osteopathy is a refined and deep osteopathic treatment based on anatomy and physiology. Cranial osteopaths are trained to feel a very subtle, rhythmical shape change that is present in all body tissues. This is called “Involuntary Motion” or the “Cranial Rhythm”.  The movement is of very small amplitude, therefore it takes practitioners with a very finely developed sense of touch to feel it. Tension in the body disrupts the cranial rhythm. Practitioners compare what your rhythm is doing to what they consider ideal.  This shows them what stresses and strains your body is under at present, and what tensions it may be carrying as a result of its past history. It also gives them an insight into the overall condition of your body, for example if it is healthy, or stressed and tired.

Osteopathy for babies, children and mums  ...

Children and pregnant mums can benefit enormously from cranial osteopathy. Every baby would benefit from a check-up after birth to ensure there are no retained strains in the body. When birth is complicated by being unduly slow or fast, or when forceps or ventouse is used the infant head may not recover from the distortions which occur. This may result is subtle changes in function leading to problems such as fractious babies feeding difficulties, colic and disturbed sleep patterns. A baby may not be sleeping due to an uncomfortable pressure in its head, or tension in the bony and membranous tissues of the skull irritating its nervous system. Diaphramatic tensions and spinal stiffness may contribute to regurgitation, wind, diarrhoea or constipation. Gentle treatment from a skilled osteopath can often bring about significant improvement in these distressing cases. As children grow older, growth stresses or birth strains may lead to recurrent infections and otitis media (ear infection), or there may be behavioural problems, learning difficulties, headaches and asthma which can be treated. Treatment during pregnancy can help with nausea, vomiting, heartburn, aches and pains and breathing difficulties. Its great for new mums too, who often find their pelvis or low back is uncomfortable after giving birth. The gentle yet powerful cranial osteopathic approach can also be effective in treating back pain whether it is a recent acute episode, or a result of older traumas or injuries, and is also effective at treating musculoskeletal aches and pains, headaches, and many more conditions

   Osteopathy - what to expect and charges.

From birth, all children could benefit from cranial osteopathy to relieve stresses which can potentially  have a detrimental effect on health in later childhood and adult years.