Cranial Osteopathy
Most people find Cranial Osteopathy to be the most gentle and relaxing of all treatment. Lightly holding the head and allowing very slight changes to occur within the movement of the cerebrospinal fluid that nourishes the brain and spinal cord, profound and far reaching changes can occur in the body’s function and homeostasis.
Cranial Osteopathy can be helpful in the treatment of headaches, migraines, and other conditions such as fatigue or insomnia. It may also be a good idea to receive cranial osteopathy (a few weeks later) after any head injury — even a minor one - especially if symptoms persist.
Every head injury and concussion should initially, and immediately, be evaluated at a hospital. Swelling or a bleed in the brain may occur several days, even one or two weeks later, which can lead to worsening symptoms. Later, after returning home from hospital, cranial osteopathy can address any lingering symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, dizziness and headaches.
Of course, the majority of headaches do not arise from head injury (and have no concussion symptoms). Most headaches are associated with muscle tension in the neck, shoulders, and upper back - and it is for these common headaches that Osteopathic treatment is ideal, and highly effective. When treating headaches I frequently treat the spine, neck and upper back (there can often be neck pain in addition to headaches). And, the brain and spine are related (much of the nervous system is within the spinal cord) and the cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds the brain also travels the length of the spinal cord (which perhaps, in part, explains the mechanism of Cranial Osteopathy).
As I said earlier, Cranial Osteopathy can be the most profound and gentle of any Osteopathic intervention. We can treat headaches this way of course, but also many other things in addition (including perhaps stress related illness, poor sleep, fatigue, digestive issues, and so on). And, because of the integrated system of the brain and spinal cord and the cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds and traverses both brain and spinal cord - there is no reason why we cannot treat back pain this way also.
Perhaps I should also add, that as a very gentle Osteopathic treatment, cranial osteopathy can also be used for people who do not like Osteopathic spinal manipulation as they find manipulation even when performed very gently, to strong an intervention. There are many other Osteopathic techniques, besides manipulation and Cranial Osteopathy (or perhaps cranial osteopathy together with Acupuncture) would be an ideal choice. Such treatment can be highly effective.
Cranial Osteopathy is frequently (although by no means exclusively) used to treat babies and children. Please note, as this is a highly specialist field, I myself do NOT treat children under the age of five years. If you require Osteopathic treatment for a child under five years old, please see my Children and Infants page for a list of Osteopaths in Christchurch who treat babies and infants.
Suggested Resources:
- Sutherland Society UK only registered Osteopaths can do these courses (at a post-graduate level)
- Upledger Institute also non-Osteopaths (e.g. massage therapists)
- Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapists also non-Osteopaths (e.g. massage therapists)
christchurch osteopathy acupuncture
massage
mike inman osteopathy
karen sarabia massage
