Cranial Osteopathy
Cranial Osteopathy began in the early part of the 20th Century , its instigator was a man called William Garner Sutherland.
A Cranial Osteopath uses tiny, gentle manipulations to the skull, spinal column and sacral area, with the aim of restoring balance. 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
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.
What can cranial osteopaths treat?
While it can be highly effective at relieving symptoms cranial osteopathy aims to treat the whole person not just the condition, so a very wide range of situations may benefit from treatment. These may include back and neck pain; joint pain and sports injuries; headaches, migraines and sinus problems; stress; recurrent infection; period pain; digestive difficulties; and treatment may also benefit general health and well-being.
In babies and children many problems such as crying, colic, sleeping and feeding difficulties may be helped.
What does a visit to the osteopath entail?
The osteopath will ask in detail about various aspects of your or your child's symptoms and general health. The examination may require removal of outer clothing and the osteopath may look at you standing, moving and will then gently assess body movements.
Most osteopathic treatment is gentle and should not cause undue discomfort, although assessment and treatment may require the handling of painful areas. Most people find treatment relaxing. Some patients experience soreness after treatment, similar to that felt after unaccustomed exercise. This usually lasts no more than 24 - 48 hours.
It may be necessary to carry out simple examination procedures such as taking blood pressure or testing reflexes. Most patients come to an osteopath without having first consulted their doctor. Osteopaths are trained to ensure that no serious problems are overlooked.
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