Osteopathy approaches the body as a whole, and by responding to specific areas indicators of overall health can be detected, and problems resolved. Cranial Osteopathy uses the cranial rhythm to do just this. The cranial rhythm was first described in the early 20th Century by Dr William G Sutherland, and its existence was subsequently confirmed in the 1960s and 70s following a series of laboratory tests.

The rhythm is a regular on-going shape change that occurs in all body tissues, and with training osteopaths can become sensitive to, and feel, the rhythm. This sensitivity can then be used to detect anomalies in the rhythm to diagnose and treat underlying problems. It is a gentle but effective way to treat a wide range of conditions for people of all ages, from babies to the elderly, releasing stresses and tensions throughout the body, including the head.

How it Works
When the body tenses up, the cranial rhythm is disturbed. Physical or emotional stresses cause this tension and it is usually relieved once the problem goes away. If the problem persists, however, the on-going tension can build up, restrict the normal functioning of the body and result in lasting aches and pains throughout the body. Practitioners feel this change in the cranial rhythm, compare it to what they would consider an ideal state, and are then able to diagnose problems. An appropriate course of treatment can then be decided on with changes in the rhythm used to monitor progress.

Cranial osteopathy has been found to work particularly well with babies and children. As children are growing they are naturally changing and developing, so when treatments are applied their bodies respond readily and quickly. The treatments help the body correct itself, rather than imposing a healing regime that the body has to accept and respond to, so it's more of a case of giving the body a nudge in the right direction to do what is both natural and correct. This is the main reason osteopaths encourage children to have early treatment for conditions. It's a chance to detect problems and treat them easily before they have a chance to develop in to more serious issues. This also makes it appropriate to check that all is well with a bodies development after rapid or longer births, forceps deliveries and C-Sections, all of which can affect the mechanics of the sinuses, breathing, and eustachian tubes. This in turn can cause ear infections, colic, vomiting, restlessness, and sleep problems.

So cranial osteopathy is a subtle and gentle form of treatment that is surprisingly effective, and Osteopaths who specialise in it are able to offer a valuable, non-invasive and drug free treatment regime.