What Is Cranial Osteopathy ?
What is Cranial Osteopathy ?
Cranial osteopathy, contrary to its title, is a gentle osteopathic technique that can be applied to any part of the body and not just the head. The technique is based on the theory that the small bones in the skull have the ability to move in a rhythmic motion termed the ‘involuntary mechanism’. If the motions of these bones are affected, often by trauma or during your own birth, then it can cause conditions such as headaches, migraines, sinus problems, digestive problems etc.
As membranes around the spinal cord are attached to the cranial bones, misalignment of these structures can affect the flow of spinal fluid, affecting the nervous system and spinal movements.
The technique itself is very gentle and subtle. The practitioner’s hands follow the history of the straining force to where the problem began. The hands then guide it towards the position of where it is suppose to be, fluid and balanced, a neutral point. Once the neutral point is established, the strains subside and normal function is restored. Dependant on the force of the strain and the length of time its been present, further treatments maybe required to reinforce the neutral point.