What is Cranial Osteopathy?

Cranial Osteopathy is an osteopathic treatment for the reduction of stress and tension, allowing relaxation throughout the whole body. It is effective in resolving a wide range of problems in people of all ages from the very young to the very old. It is extremely gentle

    which makes it ideal for the sensitive and the fragile. It isan excellent antidote for all types of stress and trauma.

     

    Cranial treatment is based on something called involuntary motion or Cranial Rhythm,

    a subtle pulsing of fluids in the brain, body and spinal cord. These can be felt in tiny movements of the skull and at the back of the pelvis, by a well trained osteopathic practitioner. The quality of this motion is a good indicator of health, as the fluids involved are central to the mechanisms the body uses to maintain health.

     

    Stress in the form of trauma, overwork, bad posture or excessive worries can have an adverse effect on the cranial rhythm. The skilled practitioner can influence a disrupted rhythm, returning it to a balanced equilibrium. The effect of this is to decrease stress and restore health

      What does cranial treatment involve?

      • In the hands of a trained Osteopathic
      • Initial interview to fully understand
        • the issue that the patient wishes to resolve
        • the health background
        • anything that could affect the treatment outcome
      • an osteopathic examination
        • allows that osteopath to confirm the findings from the interview
        • identify specific postural and musculo skeletal issues
        • do any special tests that may help in a complete and accurate diagnosis
      • a cranial assessment

        • patient lies face up on the treatment couch

          osteopath sits at the head of the patient with his hands cupped under the base of the skull

          although it may feel that the practitioner is not doing much, they carefully sensing the tiny cranial movements that give an indication of the body's overall  health and vitality, this is the cranial rhythm

          the patient may feel an increasing sense of well being at this point as well as a deepening relaxation

      • + - the cranial treatment

        • having accustomed themselves to the patients cranial rhythm the practitioner will use very subtle and gentle changes in pressure at key moments during the cycle to subtly influence the rhythm, slowly bringing it into a more balanced and synchronised state

          it is not uncommon for the patient to fall asleep during this time

          later on the treatment may also involve the osteopath positioning their hands at the base of the back and between the shoulder blades to treat the cranial rhythm in a slightly different way

          the whole treatment will last between 15 minutes and half an our, during which profound changes can take place

          at the end the patient will usually feel relaxed and revitalised

      • after the treatment

        • if there have been fairly major adjustments then it may take some time for the body to adjust

          the patient may feel a bit tired for a day or 2 as toxins are eliminated and the body gets used to functioning in a different way

          during this time it is usually helpful to drink more water and eat more natural food, especially grains and vegetables

          once the recovered many patients report great improvements in their sense of wellness and vitality, as well as improvements in the issues being treated

        What is it useful for?

        • Cranial treatment has been effectively applied in a wide range of medical conditions
        • covering anything from mild stress to IBS, Crohns disease and chronic pain syndrome
        • it is used extensively in treating children with behavioral problems and babies with problem
          • sleeping
          • feeding
          • crying too much
        • it is also very useful for treating chronic stress and for treating the elderly and infirm

        Who can do it?

        • A qualified Osteopath who has been specifically trained in cranial methods will have the broadest and deepest training in effective diagnosis and cranial treatment

          there are many practitioners who have trained very briefly, and who may not be fully versed in the range and issues that patients may present with

          A qualified osteopath will have a complete knowledge of all the bodily systems, will be trained to recognise a wide range of medical conditions

          they will also be specifically trained in careful interview and examination techniques to ensure that the chosen treatment is well suited to your needs

          the GOsc registered osteopath will be certified as safe  and effective