CRANIAL-SACRAL
OSTEOPATHY

Cranial-Sacral Osteopathy recognizes the importance of a patient's 'cranial rhythm' (involuntary mechanism) for evaluation and treatment. This intrinsic rhythm, which is distinct from your breathing or heart rate, is the natural contraction and expansion of all body tissues. The hands of a trained practitioner are able to detect any abnormalities within the rhythm, however minute, and treat accordingly.

In contrast to the traditional manipulative techniques ('clicks') associated with Osteopathy, Cranial-Sacral is a very gentle, yet powerful treatment that typically involves a practitioner cradling the patient's head (hence the name 'cranial'), base of spine (hence the name 'sacral') or other part of the body in order to feel for any restrictions or strains which may be responsible for a patient's symptoms. Most people are surprised how superficial the Osteopath's touch is during treatment. The patient may feel a deep sense of relaxation and possibly become aware of heat, tingling, pulsations or other sensations and as physical restrictions are eased a sense of lightness and well-being can follow. Where structural Osteopathy/Massage treats the body from the outside in, Cranial-Sacral treats from the inside out!

Although often associated with treating babies and children Cranial-Sacral Osteopathy is suitable for people of all ages and can treat a wide variety of conditions.

People often wonder 'what is the difference between Cranial-Sacral Osteopathy and Cranial-Sacral Therapy?'. Generally in terms of the treatment approach they are fairly similar, however the main difference is that an Osteopath will have undergone a four-year comprehensive degree programme and further postgraduate courses in Cranial-Sacral techniques, whereas a Cranial-Sacral Therapist will have studied for a few weeks to two years in the discipline, and may also be qualified in other therapies.

Cranial Osteopathy for Children

Does your child . . .

• have difficulty sleeping?
• have problems with feeding?
• experience colic, wind or sickness?
• have glue ear?
• cry a lot?
• have asthma?
• have recurrent infections?
• suffer headaches?
• have poor concentrations?
• suffer from sinus problems?

to name just a few conditions.

Although it happens to all of us being born is one of the most stressful events of our lives. A baby is subjected to enormous forces and has to twist and turn as it squeezes through the bony pelvis. Normally a baby's head has the remarkable ability to absorb these stresses and the soft bones overlap, bend and distort as the baby descends. This sometimes results in a baby being born with an odd shaped head, which gradually changes and unmoulds as the baby naturally suckles, cries and yawns. However, this unmoulding process is often incomplete, especially if the birth has been difficult or a caesarean section has been necessary (whether elective or emergency). As a result a baby may have to live with some very uncomfortable stresses within its head and body. Although some babies are happy and content and cope with the residual moulding and compression, for others it can lead to a variety of problems, such as those listed above. Cranial Osteopathy through its use of very gentle hands on work can help to remove these stresses and strains and assist the normal development of your baby/child. The younger the child is the better the response to treatment, so it is helpful to seek treatment as early as possible.