What is Cranial Osteopathy?
‘Cranial Osteopathy’ was developed by Dr Sutherland who discovered that the 26 bones making up the skull were intricately jointed in such a way as to permit very slight motion. He understood that this was in order to permit a rhythmical and very slight expansion/contraction of the brain inside which is quite independent of the movements of breathing and heart beat. An osteopath has a highly developed sense of palpation, and is trained to assess the dynamic state of the body tissues, both within the cranium and in the rest of the body. In ‘Cranial Osteopathy’ the Osteopath includes the head in their search to understand the whole body.
How may Cranial Osteopathy help?
The osteopath will support the body in its attempt to return to health, by using gently techniques to release strain patterns. This type of treatment is suitable for everyone from newborn babies to the very elderly, being extremely gentle.
What does ‘Cranial Treatment’ feel like?
The patient is occasionally quite unaware apart from the contact of the Osteopath’s hands, that anything is happening at all. He/she may feel sensations of pressure either under the osteopath’s hands or elsewhere, or a sensation of localized warmth as a release and relaxation is achieved in the tissues. Overall most patients feel that gradually the tension is being drawn out of their body, and they become deeply relaxed. It is common to feel a degree of light-headedness for a few minutes after a treatment.
Patients often report an improvement in general well being, energy levels, sleep patterns and also in area of symptoms other than those which brought them to the Osteopath in the first place.
What might Cranial Osteopathy treat?
Osteopathic treatment is aimed not simply towards the relief of symptoms, but towards helping the body function better in all respects by releasing accumulated structural strains. It may help a very wide variety of conditions including headaches and migraines, digestive disorders, period pains and irregularity, recurrent infections, depression and fatigue.
Cranial Osteopathy and children
Cranial Osteopathy is particularly suitable for children and babies because of the gentle techniques used. It may help with many childhood complaints such as sleep disturbance, colic, childhood headaches, glue ear and learning and behavioural difficulties. In addition, it may help babies following a difficult birth.
