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Head Massage

Cranial Osteopathy

" Cranial Osteopathy is a gentle and relaxing form of Osteopathy treatment ideal for newborns, adults, pregnant women and those in severe pain. "

Despite its name, Cranial Osteopathy isn’t limited to treating the head alone, but the whole body. It is a safe and gentle way to release strain and tension, improve function and promote circulation. It is deep-acting yet completely non-invasive, making it safe for newborns, adults, pregnant women and those in severe pain. 

 

Cranial Osteopathy focuses on how well our body functions as one cohesive unit, as opposed to how separate areas of the body are performing. We think of it like a gentle rhythm that can be felt throughout the body. When the rhythm is disrupted in one area, it tells us there’s a disruption that’s preventing the body from operating optimally as a whole. Cranial Osteopathy works to help resolve these disruptions by re-establishing good function, motion, blood flow and nerve supply - many of the elements important in health.

How does Cranial Osteopathy work?

When you have tension, strains and restrictions in your body and its framework, it can greatly disturb your body’s overall function and result in aches, pains and other problems. 

 

Cranial Osteopathy uses gentle pressure on specific areas of the body to support the release of tension and strain within your musculoskeletal and nervous systems - that is, your bones, joints, muscles, tendons and nerves. Helping relieve these strains helps your body return to an optimal state of function and balance, supporting your recovery and long-term health. 

 

Cranial Osteopathy can also give an insight into the overall balance of the health of your body and can help with other body systems and processes like your metabolic function. Ultimately, you want to help your body function as it is designed to - including optimising its own ability to self-heal and repair when future problems arise.

What does it feel like?

Cranial Osteopathy is very relaxing and some patients even fall asleep during the treatment. You remain clothed and lay on your back or side, with some movements performed while seated. You may feel some sensations or warmth throughout your body.

What Conditions can Cranial Osteopathy help with?

Cranial Osteopathy can help with a wide range of problems including:

 

  • Low back pain or sciatica

  • Neck pain

  • Headaches & migraines

  • Postural problems

  • Growing pains

  • Lower limb pain (hip, knee, leg, foot, ankle)

  • Arm, wrist & shoulder pain

  • Jaw pain

  • Chronic conditions and pain management like arthritis

  • Pre and post surgical rehabilitation

  • Painful conditions and injuries, like from sports or work

  • Preparation for and recovery from childbirth

  • Menstrual pain

  • Supporting your health in chronic fatigue

  • Breathing and respiration problems

  • Stress

  • Recovering from fractures

  • Jaw pain and dental or orthodontic support

  • Visceral techniques for digestion

How many Appointments will I need?

When we complete your treatment plan, we can give you a good indication of what you will need. This is completely dependent on the severity of your problem and your symptoms as different conditions have different healing times. 

 

We also offer maintenance plans for those who wish to continue to benefit from ongoing care and monitoring, and maintain optimal physical function. People with demanding or stressful lifestyles often come for maintenance treatments every 1 to 3 months.

Is Cranial Osteopathy a Well-Established treatment?

Though not widely known, Cranial Osteopathy has been developed and used across the world for 100 years. Our Osteopaths undergo a five-year degree, as well as regular postgraduate training, to be able to use this technique effectively.

 

Some preliminary research into Cranial Osteopathy has been conducted, and there is much more clinical research that needs to be undertaken to show the effectiveness of the treatment approach to many of the conditions that are commonly treated. This research has proven difficult as Cranial Osteopathy isn’t just a ‘technique’ applied to a condition or symptom, but a treatment approach applied to an individual person to improve physiological function. This makes it a challenge to comply with the current models of research study.

 

A biodynamic approach to Osteopathy takes the principles of Cranial Osteopathy further and looks at how the person is functioning in their environment and life. It focuses even more on the powerful self-healing forces always present in the body and focuses on helping the body to maintain ideal health.

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