Osteopathy is a way of detecting and treating damaged parts of the body such as muscles, ligaments, nerves and joints. When the body is balanced and efficient, just like a well tuned engine, it will function with the minimum of wear and tear, leaving more energy for living.

We consider each person as an individual. When you come to us with a problem, we take a detailed medical case history so we can find out as much about the history of the condition as possible. Osteopaths believe that the body has the ability to get itself better so we try to discover what has prevented this natural healing from occurring. Often it can be to do with the repetitive strains of every day life, for example the way we sit or sleep.

Osteopathy is a truly holistic therapy, meaning that we consider the whole person. The modern world and the way we live our lives can have a big impact on our general health and this is an important consideration, especially when we are assessing chronic or recurring problems.

Cranial osteopathy is a refined and subtle type of osteopathic treatment that encourages the release of stresses and tensions throughout the body, including the head. It is a gentle yet extremely effective approach and may be used in a wide range of conditions for people of all ages, from birth to old age.

Cranial osteopaths are trained to feel a very subtle, rhythmical change that is present in all body tissues. This is called the Involuntary Motion or the Cranial Rhythm.  The movement is very small; therefore it takes practitioners with a very finely developed sense of touch to feel it. This rhythm was first described in the early 1900's by Dr. William G. Sutherland and its existence was confirmed in a series of laboratory tests in the 1960's and '70's.

Tension in the body disrupts the cranial rhythm. We compare what your rhythm is doing to what we consider to be ideal. This shows us what stresses and strains a patient's body is under at present, and what tensions it may be carrying as a result of its past history. It also gives us an insight into the overall condition of your body, for example if it is healthy or stressed and tired.

It is often thought that children are born with no problems as they are so young and flexible. The birth process involves the baby turning inside the womb and the strong uterine contractions push the baby through the natural resistance of the birth canal. The baby’s skull is designed to cope with these strong forces and after the birth any moulding or compression of the skull is released naturally, aided by the good first cry after delivery. We see children who for many reasons may have not been able to release these gentle compressions themselves and as a result of this may be exhibiting signs that they are uncomfortable and unhappy. This can often be the case with a difficult pregnancy or a labour that has been long and complicated.

These stresses and strains stay with us and are often at the root of problems we see in older children and right through into adult life. It is much easier to resolve these strains shortly after birth than it is to try to and treat them later on in life. This is one of the reasons that we recommend that babies are checked by a cranial osteopath soon after birth so any potential problems can be corrected quickly, allowing the child to develop without restriction.

Caroline Wells has recently finished studying for an MSc degree in Paediatric Osteopathy through the Foundation for Paediatric Osteopathy and The British School of Osteopathy.

Cranial osteopathy is used to help:

Unsettled and fractious babies
Colic and wind difficulties
Feeding problems
Recurrent ear infections
Sinus problems

As children grow and develop, the teenage years may also be a time when the body is under stress both physically and emotionally. Rapid growth can cause aches and pains as the body struggles to adapt to new postures. Sporting injuries can also take longer to repair at these times, when the body is already compromised by a growth spurt. It is a good idea to bring your child for treatment at the following times:

Teething
Growth Spurts
Orthodontic Treatment
Falls and accidents
Changes in behaviour

If you are not sure whether cranial osteopathy may help your child then please phone us to discuss the symptoms in more detail. Cranial osteopathic treatment is extremely gentle; in fact, most babies fall asleep during treatment. We will fit treatment around you and your child; children and babies can be treated whether they are asleep, being fed or playing with toys.