Cranial osteopathy is a well established type of osteopathic treatment that concentrates on the fine rhythmic movements in all the body tissues especially the cranial bones. It helps release stresses and tensions throughout the body, including the head.

It can be used to help in a wide range of conditions, such as, migraine, whiplash and fibromyalgia, affecting people of all ages, from birth to the elderly. Cranial osteopaths use gentle techniques to deliver their treatment and restore harmony to the normal body tissue rhythms and states.

This approach lends itself particularly well to the treatment of infants. A baby’s head is subjected to powerful forces when it is born. The baby is usually capable of coping with the stresses of labour, but occasionally it leaves a lasting effect that can cause the baby health problems after birth. This can be particularly true with assisted births where forceps or ventouse/suction techniques have been used. Distortions of the baby’s head and body can cause irritation of the sensitive brain lining and nerves passing through the skull into the body. These distortions can be detected by a cranial osteopath who can very gently relax the soft tissues around the skull bones and throughout the whole body. This allows a gradual release of the retained compression to bring comfort to the baby.

This form of manipulation is extremely gentle and safe for the baby. Side effects are very rare and on occasions the symptoms may worsen slightly before they improve. Normally, there is some response after about three treatments, but sometimes more sessions are required if the problem is severe.

Many problems in babies and childhood such as crying, colic, sleeping and feeding difficulties may be helped. If you would like more information to find out if your baby's problem will benefit from cranial osteopathic treatment, please contact the practice and we will be happy to discuss it further with you.