CRANIAL OSTEOPATHY , OSTEOPATHY




Cranial Osteopathy

Fees:
£45 First appt 45 mins
£30 Follow ups 30 mins

Children:
£40 First appt 45 mins
£30 Follow ups 30 mins

Cranial osteopathy uses gentle, subtle techniques. An American osteopath, William Garner Sutherland (US Osteopath, 1930's) developed the technique, and its existence was confirmed in a series of laboratory tests in the 1960's and '70's. He discovered that the cranial bones (the skull bones encasing the brain) weren't fused in adulthood, as was widely thought, but actually had a cycle of slight involuntary movement. He suggested that this movement was influenced by the rhythmic flow of cerebrospinal fluid (the nourishing and protective fluid that circulates through the spinal canal and brain) and could become blocked. He developed refined and subtle techniques using very gentle manipulative pressure to encourage the release of stresses and strains in the cranium and throughout the body.


    Cranial osteopathy can be a part of any osteopathic treatment and is often used for:
  • sinus problems
  • tinnitus
  • headaches
  • head injuries, whip lash, effects of accidents and traumas
  • effects of coughs, colds, flu, cranial can speed up the healing
  • all the usual musculoskeletal problems

Birth Trauma: It is a common belief that babies and children should have no structural stresses or strains in their bodies, because they are 'so young'. The reality is very different. Birth is one of the most stressful events of our lives. The baby is subjected to enormous forces, as the uterus pushes to expel the baby against the natural resistance of the birth canal. The baby has to turn and twist as it squeezes through the bony pelvis, on its short but highly stimulating and potentially stressful journey. The baby's head has the remarkable ability to absorb these stresses in a normal delivery. In order to reduce the size of the head, the soft bones overlap, bend and warp as the baby descends. The baby's chin is normally well tucked down towards its chest to reduce the presenting diameter of the head. Many babies are born with odd shaped heads as a result. In the first few days, the head can usually be seen to gradually lose the extreme moulded shape, as the baby suckles, cries and yawns. However, this unmoulding process is often incomplete, especially if the birth has been difficult. As a result, the baby may have to live with some very uncomfortable stresses within its head and body.


(www.cranial.org.uk)

BABIES: Crying, Screaming, Irritability: The baby may be uncomfortable, with a constant feeling of pressure in the head. This may be made worse by the extra pressure on the head when lying down.


Feeding: The baby takes a long time to feed and one feed merges into the next. They may be a 'windy' feeder. Feeding is difficult and tiring due to mechanical stresses through the head, face and throat. The nerves to the tongue and face muscles may be irritated as they exit from the skull, which makes sucking difficult.


Sickness, colic and wind: Regurgitation of milk between feeds, bouts of prolonged crying due to colic and wind. Often worse in the evening. The nerve to the stomach may be irritated as it exits from the base of the skull, which can impair digestion. The diaphragm between the chest and the abdomen may be stressed or distorted, which further compromises both digestion and the ability of the stomach to retain its contents. Stress from a difficult or fast birth can leave the digestive system in tension trapping wind. Any strain through the umbilical cord, for instance if it was around the baby's neck, can add to strains in the abdomen.


Sleep disturbances: The baby sleeps for only short periods, and may sleep little in the day (or night!). They wake to the slightest noise- "jumpy". The tension on the bony and membranous casing of the skull keeps the baby's nervous system in a persistently alert state.


Other problems that may develop as a child gets older and can be dealt with by cranial osteopathy are:

  • Ear infections
  • Sinus and dental problems
  • Behavioural problems and learning difficulties, and special needs
  • Headache, aches and pains
  • Asthma

    • Reactions to treatment are variable, often the baby or child is very relaxed afterwards and sleeps well. Others have a burst of energy after treatment, usually followed by a good nights sleep. Occasionally children are unsettled after treatment. This is a temporary situation, and usually clears within 24-48 hours.



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    Osteopathy

    Fees:
    £45 First appt 45 mins
    £30 Follow ups 30 mins

    Children:
    £40 First appt 45 mins
    £30 Follow ups 30 mins

    Osteopathy is a system of diagnosis and treatment emphasising the structural and functional integrity of the body. It recognises that much of the pain and disability which we suffer stems from abnormalities in the function of the body structure as well as damage caused to it by disease. While back pain is the most common problem seen, osteopathy can help including changes to posture in pregnancy, babies with colic or sleeplessness, repetitive strain injury, postural problems cause by driving or work strain, children with glue ear, the pain of arthritis and sports injuries among many others. Osteopaths work with their hands using a wide variety of treatment techniques. These may include soft tissue techniques designed to improve mobility and the range of movement of a joint. Gentle release techniques are widely used, particularly when treating children or elderly patients. This allows the body to return to efficient normal function.


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