What are they all talking about? Cranial Osteopathy.

What is Cranial Osteopathy?

Cranial osteopathy is the name given to a subtle and gentle form of osteopathy. It follows the same principles of Osteopathy which effectively brings the body back to its position of ease to allow it to heal itself. Two of these principles are:

1. the body is capable of self-healing self-regulating mechanisms. Osteopaths believe that the body has all it needs to be able to maintain its own health system. 
2. Structure and function are reciprocally inter-related. This means the body’s musculoskeletal structure reflect and can affect function of other systems of the body. 

Cranial osteopathy is called cranial because it uses the structures inside the cranium (head), however the osteopath will work on the whole of the body. The cranial osteopath has spent many hours studying this speciality and has a highly developed and sensitised sense of touch. He or she is able to feel subtle changes in the tissues and fascia surrounding the body allowing them to sense areas of tension and disfunction within the body. They work to then release these areas of tension. 

The treatment works on the involuntary mechanism ( cranial rhythm) which are small fluctuations of movement through the physical body. Throughout everyday life, it is common for us to incur stresses and strains from trauma or injury ÔÇô both physical and mental. These can still be present many years after the traumatising event and during cranial osteopathy the osteopath will work to release these tensions and strains. As with all osteopathy the practitioner aims to treat the whole person not just the part of the body thatÔÇÖs suffering.

To the outsider it may look like nothing at all is happening. The osteopath places his or her hands very lightly over the skull and ÔÇ£listensÔÇØ using their touch to the fluctuations of movement. To the patient, whilst being treated some people may be aware of different sensations, tension, gentle pulling, aching or sensitivity that may move around and gradually disappear. Some people may experience feelings of relaxation and calming warmth. Other people might not be aware of anything happening at all during the treatment, but then they may feel very different within themselves when they get up afterwards. 

Most people become deeply relaxed during treatment and some people may even fall asleep. This is not uncommon and is totally fine. 

Due to the treatment being so subtle and gentle, cranial osteopathy is a very effective treatment for all walks of life and can be used on people of all ages and health, from babies through to the elderly.   

If it is something that interests you and you think it might help, then please call us for a chat.

Reference: https://scco.ac/osteopathy/what-is-cranial-osteopathy/