What is cranial Osteopathy?
Much like structural osteopathy, cranial osteopathy encourages the release of stresses and tensions, allowing the body to engage its own natural ability to heal itself. The name does imply treatments are based around the head, though it must be stressed that cranial techniques can be used to treat the whole body.  

This type of therapy works with the body’s natural rhythms and is non-invasive. It is based on the theory that every cell in a healthy body expresses a rhythmical movement that is fundamental for life. All the structures in the body, from the fluids to the bones and organs, follow their own particular pattern of movement.  

For example the largest moving fluid in the body, the cerebrospinal fluid, acts as protection for the brain and spinal cord, as well as supplying nutrients to, and draining waste products from it. The effectiveness of these functions rely on steady pump and compression action from the fluid. If this flow is inhibited in one part of the skull it will most likely be reflected further down the spinal column (or vice a versa) as pain or discomfort.  

What happens in a typical session?

A detailed case history is taken with every new patient regarding current symptoms and medical history. This is followed by examining various movements of the body, both actively and passively. The diagnosis is explained to the patient and consent is taken for treatment.  

Treatment involves very light touch being applied to various parts of the body. Sometimes the patient can experience waves as the body releases and other times nothing is felt until days after the treatment.

What conditions can be treated?

Muscle and joint pain
Chest and ear infections
Asthma
Sinusitus
Migraine/headache
Anxiety/depression/fatigue/insomnia
And many more…….

Mother and Baby Clinic   
Osteopathic treatment during pregnancy can be a wonderfully helpful and supportive addition to your standard medical care. The safety of mother and baby is paramount and a detailed case history and examination will always take place. 
 
Relaxation and stress avoidance are especially important for the mother to be, and the gentle methods of cranial osteopathy can be very relaxing and therapeutic.  
 
Back, leg, upper back and neck pain are very common during pregnancy due to the shear weight of the baby placed upon the body.

Many women suffer from pubic symphsis dysfunction (PSD) in their last trimester again due to excess weight and softening of pelvic ligaments leaving the low back and pelvis vulnerable to strain.  
 
Heart burn and indigestion due to the compression of the stomach and intestines against the ever developing uterus are also common problems. 

All of these temporary conditions can usually be relieved using gentle osteopathic techniques especially modified for use in pregnancy. 

It is difficult to appreciate that babies can also suffer from strains within the body, but the fact is that birth is one of the most stressful events of our lives. The baby is subjected to enormous forces whilst twisting and turning, as the uterus pushes to expel the baby against the natural resistance of the birth canal. This naturally causes some overlapping of the skull and compression leaving the baby very stressed. 

As the baby grows and learns to cry, suckle and yawn, these stresses created from birth are usually released. However in some cases, the un-moulding process may be incomplete and this is especially so in the case of a particularly difficult or assisted birth

Forceps and Ventouse delivery aids often produce some degree of compression and bruising of the soft boned infant head, which can be very severe and with Ventouse extraction there is often a traction of the head which can stretch the whole of the cranium. 
 
Caesarean sections, though life-saving, produce a very 'sudden' birth, which can actually be very shocking for the baby. The baby has not had time to enter the world slowly through the various twists and turns encountered via normal delivery. 
 
As a baby has no verbal means of communication, these stresses can be manifested as:Constant crying and irritability
Feeding difficulties
Poor sleep patterns
Sickness and reflux
Colic
Excessive wind
Discomfort whilst lying on his/her back
Learning difficulties (such as autism and hyperactivity).

With osteopathy, physiotherapy and sports injury clinics in kings cross and Shoreditch, we are conveniently located for Central London, the City, North, West, South and East London.
Our Pentonville Road clinic is serving Islington, Kings Cross, Euston, St Pancras, Moorgate, West end, Camden, City, Chelsea, Harley Street, Kensington, Knightsbridge and post codes: N1, W1, W2, W8, NW1, WC1, WC2, EC1, EC2, EC3, EC4, SE1 for a complete health care.
Our Hoxton clinic is serving Shoreditch, City, Hackney, Canary Wharf, Liverpool Street and post codes: EC1, EC2, EC3, EC4, E1, E2, N1.