Cranial Osteopathy

What is Cranial Osteopathy?

Cranial osteopathy offers a gentle way to treat the body. Through manipulations of subtle, involuntary motions in the body cranial osteopathy can help relax and unwind stresses which have built up in the tissues. Being a gentle treatment, it is often the technique of choice for babies and children.

Through the release of tension, cranial osteopathy can enhance the health of the body, mind, and spirit, promoting a feeling of well-being. The psychological explanation behind CST (Craniosacral Therapy) is that the brain controls all the activities in the body, both voluntary and involuntary. Relieving tension in the central nervous system can promote a feeling of well-being

The central nervous system consists of the spinal cord and the brain. This is why the treatment involves gently massaging the head and the spinal cord. The central nervous system is complex because it controls our decisions, reactions, and emotions. It decides whether we feel pain, happiness, sadness, pleasure and react to these emotions. Therefore, this means that the state of the brain and the spinal cord is a significant determinant of our general health.

Frequently Ask Questions

A Beginners Guide to Osteopathy

Osteopathy is a recognised primary healthcare system of diagnosis, treatment, prevention and rehabilitation of musculo-skeletal problems. Osteopathy is used worldwide to complement mainstream or alternative medicine for patients with problems of the spine, peripheral joints, ligaments or muscles.

Osteopathy is a natural medicine that approaches patients holistically. An osteopath will consider a patient’s lifestyle, medical history, diet and stress levels, and assess the entire patient in relation to their presenting symptom. In addition to using their hands to feel the body’s tissues, enabling them to diagnose and treat sore muscles and painful joints. Osteopathy recognises that the body has the inherent ability to heal itself and contains its own “medicine chest” to do this.

The Origins of Osteopathy

Osteopathy began in the United States in 1874, with the work and practise of Andrew Taylor Still, a physician and surgeon. His views supported the idea that the body’s natural state tends toward health and inherently contains the capacity to battle any harmful threats to health in the body. You can read about the history of Osteopath and the work of A.T. Still here.

What to expect at your first appointment

A first appointment generally lasts 45 minutes. In this time your osteopath will ask questions about your general health, listen to your concerns about your case, and ask about your medical history and background.

Your osteopath will examine you, you may be asked to remove some of your clothing. You will be asked to make simple movements and stretches to enable your osteopath to observe your mobility and assess your posture. Examination of the health of your joints, ligaments and tissues though touch/palpation will enable your osteopath to diagnose any issues.

Your osteopath will explain their findings to you and will discuss a personalized treatment plan that is tailored to you. They will explain the benefits and risks of the treatment that they recommend, and the number of sessions required to help improve how you feel.

You will most likely receive some treatment at your initial session. This will involve manipulation of your spine and joints, and also massage of soft tissues. You will have the opportunity to ask questions at any time and feedback on your treatment.