Getting your head around Cranial Osteopathy
Most people know what Classical Osteopathy is, i.e. the holistic approach to healthcare that involves the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of a variety of conditions through the use of non-invasive hands-on techniques and allied therapies.
Whereas when it comes to Cranial Osteopathy, it can leave some scratching their head.
But Cranial Osteopathy, which is also known as Osteopathic Cranial Manipulative Medicine (OCMM), isn’t too dissimilar from its Classical counterpart. Simply put, Cranial Osteopathy just takes a more subtle approach to the principles of Osteopathy and includes the anatomy and physiology of the head.
The theory behind Cranial Osteopathy
Cranial Osteopathy was developed by American Osteopath William G. Sutherland in the 1930s, who was a student of Andrew Taylor Still—the founder of Osteopathic medicine who believed that the body has natural healing abilities.
This gentle, non-manipulative and specialised approach to osteopathic treatment came about after Dr Sutherland discovered that there was a small ‘rhythmic’ movement of the cranial bones throughout the cranial structure.
Dr Sutherland believed that the movement of the bones was linked to the “ebb and flow”* of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) around the brain and the spinal cord.
In his book, The Cranial Bowl, Dr Sutherland theorised that restrictions in the cranial structures could affect the body’s function, leading to potential health issues. But by addressing the ‘cranial rhythm’, the body’s natural balance can be restored.
Deciphering the cranial anatomy
The word cranial relates to the bones of the head that cover the brain. In total, adults have 22 bones, including eight cranial bones (like your two temporal bones and your paired parietal bones) and 14 facial bones (including two palatine bones and two nasal bones).
These bones house and protect your 12 cranial nerves—including your olfactory nerve, trochlear nerve and vagus nerves—which run from the brain to the head, neck and trunk. These nerves are responsible for sensory and motor functions, which enable you to control the muscles in your head and face and allow you to see, hear, smell and taste.
Therefore, Cranial Osteopaths focus on these cranial structures along with your spine and sacrum, to help address issues within the body.
Who can Cranial Osteopathy be used on?
Cranial Osteopathy is often used on babies. That’s because babies’ skeletons are softer than an adult’s and Osteopaths will therefore use the gentler Cranial techniques which can help soothe and relax your baby. The same can be said for infants and young children, as Osteopathic techniques are suitable for children at all stages of development.
Due to the safe, gentle, and non-manipulative techniques, Cranial Osteopathy can also be used on pregnant women, and may help relieve the stresses and strains on your body during pregnancy and after birth, including joint and back pain. Cranial Osteopathy can also be used on adults and elderly patients.
What does Cranial Osteopathy feel like?
Cranial Osteopathy is very subtle. As I noted, Dr Sutherland believed that, like Classical Osteopathy, the body has the impressive power to make changes from within. And it’s the Osteopath’s job to help the body utilise its own self-healing mechanisms.
Therefore, Osteopaths practicing cranial techniques have an acute sense of palpation to help ‘listen’ to what the body needs. This might see an Osteopath apply very gentle and light pressure to the head, neck and spine. Or result in a series of holding and releasing techniques.
Some patients report feeling relaxed or a sense of euphoria. While others report feelings of warmth or mild tension. In my experience, most tend to find this form of Osteopathy very therapeutic.
Get in touch
Osteopath Motoko Nagasaki graduated from the British College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCOM) with a M.Ost Osteopathy degree, and brings more than 15 years’ of experience as a professional in the health industry to the North London Clinic.
Alongside her Classical Osteopathy work, Motoko specialises in Cranial Osteopathy, having completed a postgraduate course at Osteopathic Centre for Children (OCC) gaining a certificate in Paediatric Osteopathy. Motoko has also completed a module at Sutherland Cranial College of Osteopathy (SCCO).
Motoko can therefore work with babies, young children and teenagers and use gentle Cranial techniques which can help soothe and relax infants. Motoko can also help pregnant women relieve stresses and strains felt during pregnancy and after birth, including joint and back pain.
Schedule a consultation either online, via phone or by sending an email.
*https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2842089/
