What is cranial osteopathy?

Our osteopaths specialise in Osteopathy in the Cranial Field, which is often called cranial osteopathy. Cranial osteopathy is a very subtle form of treatment, using gentle manipulative contact to encourage the release of stresses throughout the body and allow the patient’s healing mechanisms to assert themselves. Cranial osteopathy is based on the manipulation of subtle rhythms in the body that affect the nervous system, the flow of fluids such as blood and lymph, and the musculoskeletal system.

What to expect

Your osteopath will take a detailed medical history and make a careful examination. Cranial osteopaths will typically treat with their hands under your head, back, pelvis or feet. During treatment patients usually become deeply relaxed as tensions in their body release, and will sometimes fall asleep.

What the osteopath feels

Our bodies undergo delicate expansions and contractions that are relatively independent of breathing and heartbeat. Cranial osteopaths feel these rhythms as cyclical movements in the bones, fluids and soft tissues. These movements, along with tissue tension, indicate the health of the body and the location of specific ailments.

The therapeutic process

We first help you to reach a relaxed, neutral state. We do this by balancing your autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for involuntary aspects of health such as your heartbeat and the “fight or flight” response. Once you reach this neutral state, the osteopath uses a gentle force to guide your body through a therapeutic, self-healing process that helps to balance the structure and function of your body’s tissues and fluids and restore them to their natural, healthy state.

Getting you back to health

Results are sometimes fast, but if your condition is chronic it may require a number of visits before your body finds its way back to health. The osteopath may suggest exercises, supplements or lifestyle changes to aid in your treatment and speed your recovery.