Cranial Osteopathy
The science
of osteopathy was introduced by Dr. Andrew Taylor-Still in the USA in 1874, after
many years of study. Cranial osteopathy is the name given to a particular
approach to osteopathy developed by one of his students, Dr. William Garner
Sutherland. Despite what the term implies this is a very gentle, safe and
effective type of osteopathic treatment directed towards the whole body and
includes the head.
Dr.
Sutherland made a careful study of the cranium, its contents and the mechanics
of the skull. He discovered that the 26 bones that make up the skull were
intricately jointed in such a way to permit very slight motion independent of
the movement of breathing and heartbeat. The discovery of cranial motion led to
the understanding that the patterns of motion in the skull and its contents are
present in all the tissues of the body and are a basic property of living
tissues.
When body
tissues are subject to trauma this involuntary motion is disrupted. A chain
reaction may also take place which is often mediated through the communicating
networks of the body - blood supply, nervous or hormonal systems - and can lead
to problems of disturbed function in other parts of the body. In the majority of
cases the body’s inherent self-healing mechanisms can resolve these problems.
On some occasions, however, tissues may not return to their previous state, and
a permanent record of trauma remains. This can be felt by trained hands.
In such
cases, the body requires a catalyst to maximise its own healing potential to
resolve the part which is out of balance with the whole. ‘Cranial osteopath’
is the name by which osteopaths are known who work at the most subtle and gentle
end of the spectrum of osteopathic approaches. Specific light pressure is
applied where necessary to encourage the release of the accumulation of stress
and strain in the body.
Cranial
osteopathy is effective in treating a wide range of conditions in people of all
ages and particularly for the following:
a) New born
infants who have undergone a difficult birth
b) Babies with sleeping and suckling difficulties
c) Children with recurrent ear and upper respiratory infections
d) Pre and post-natal mothers
e) Head trauma, concussion and whiplash
f) Dental trauma
g) Painful periods
h) People who prefer a gentler form of manual treatment
i) Low back pain
j) Migraine
Cranial
osteopathy may be used exclusively or as part of a treatment session.