Osteopathy is a treatment method that works with the structure and function of the body and aims to restore balance and harmony. Cranial Osteopathy was developed by William Garner Sutherland, who was a trained osteopath. A Cranial Osteopath uses tiny, gentle manipulations to the skull, spinal column and sacral area – these serve to release stress and tension throughout the body. It is a very gentle therapy making it suitable for all ages including children and the elderly. Cranial osteopaths develop a very finely tuned sense of touch in order that they can feel the “cranial rhythm” – a very subtle movement in body tissues; this rhythm changes when the body is under physical or emotional stress. Sutherland discovered this rhythm and subsequent laboratory tests confirmed his findings.
Cranial Osteopathy is holistic in that it aims to treat the whole person rather than a specific condition so tends to raise the overall health and well being, but conditions that have benefited from this therapy includeback and neck pain, sports injuries, headaches, migraines, digestive disorders, sinus problems, stress, infections, period pain, and health problems in babies such as colic.
Most osteopaths undertake 4 – 6 years training, but at present there is no formal qualifications for the cranial approach.
Use our online directory to find Cranial Osteopaths in your town or county using the search box at the top of the page.
