Cranial Osteopathy

WHY IS CRANIAL OSTEOPATHY DIFFERENT?

Cranial Osteopathy is a refined & subtle type of treatment. It uses gentle manipulative pressure to encourage the release of stresses & strains throughout the body including the head. In their training, Osteopaths are taught a variety of treatment methods & techniques, ranging from the well known ‘high velocity thrust’ with its dramatic clicks, to the more gentle ‘cranial techniques’.

ACCUMULATION OF STRESS & STRAIN IN THE BODY

Most of us have been exposed to physical trauma at some stage in our life. The body may have been able to absorb the effects at the time, but a lasting strain often remains. Illnesses & emotional trauma can also leave a lasting physical effect. Gradually the body may find it more & more difficult to cope with these accumulated stresses & then symptoms start to show.

INVOLUNTARY MOTION’ IN THE BODY

Cranial Osteopaths are trained to feel a very subtle rhythmical shape change that is present in the skull & all body tissues. This is called ‘involuntary motion’. Using this ‘involuntary motion’ in the tissues, Osteopaths can feel areas where stresses & strains have occurred.

WHAT DOES TREATMENT INVOLVE?

The Osteopath will take a detailed medical history from the patient followed by a careful examination. He/ she will then make a diagnosis of what is causing the symptoms. Using very subtle & gentle techniques (using gentle pressure on parts of the body & head) the stresses & strains in the body tissues are gradually released. Patients may feel sensations of pressure or warmth, either under the hands of the osteopath or elsewhere in their body. Most patients feel the gradual release of tension & become deeply relaxed.

BENEFITS OF TREATMENT

Osteopathic treatment is aimed not only at the relief of the symptoms but towards restoring the body to optimum health. Patients often report an improvement in general well being, energy levels & sleep patterns. Cranial osteopathy is a very gentle non-invasive treatment & therefore suitable for everyone from new born babies to the very elderly.