- Home
- About Simon
- What is Osteopathy?
-
Patient Resources
- Desk Ergonomics
- Pectoral Stretch
- Self-hug stretch
- Upper Shoulder Stretch
- Pelvic Tilts
- Rotator Cuff
- Sphinx Stretch
- Banana Stretch
- Buttock Stretch
- Lower Spinal Twist
- Upper Spinal Twist
- Hip Flexor Stretch
- Hip Flexor Stretch 2
- Quads Stretch
- Hamstrings Stretch
- Calf Stretch
- Puppy Pose
- Forearm Stretch
- Glute Bridge
- Glute Kick Back
- Bear Crawl
- Thread the Needle
- Wag the Tail
- Cat-Cow Variations
- Child's Pose
- Running Tips
- Foot Strengthening
- Jaw Wobble
- Sleep
- The Core
- 10min Back Workout
- Upper Back Routine
- Lymphatic Drainage
- Health Reminders
- Your Visit
- Contact
- Other
WHAT IS CRANIAL OSTEOPATHY ?
Cranial Osteopathy was introduced by William Garner Sutherland in the mid-1940’s. He was a student of A.T. Still at the American School of Osteopathy and was interested in the structure of the cranial bones.
Indeed, the skull is often thought of as a bony box that doesn’t move. Sutherland observed the sutures between the cranial bones and noticed a consistency in their angles and shape, and theorised that there was movement available at these junctions. After years of palpating for this movement alongside colleagues, and experimenting on himself to limit this movement, he was able to notice a subtle involuntary rhythm within the head, the Involuntary Motion, that then translates throughout the whole body. This motion is thought to arise from the variation in pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord) and blood. This variation in pressure then translates through the dura (the covering of the brain) to the sacrum and the rest of the body via the spinal nerves.
He also observed that asymmetrical, irregular or weak involuntary motion could have an effect on nerve function, stress, circulatory stasis and abnormal tensions in membranes.
I find myself resorting to cranial Osteopathy if I work with someone that appears stuck in a state of shock (for example after a traumatic accident), with sleeping problems (inability for the nervous system to relax) and simply if tissues are lacking vitality from years of being stuck in the same position, such as in chronic back, coccygeal or neck pain and certain headaches. It is also a very gentle form of treatment that can be used for the very acute patient if even the smallest movements are painful.
Cranial Osteopathy is applied with the patient lying on their back, and the practitioner will place their hands underneath the patient’s head to palpate and work with that subtle Involuntary Motion. The movements from the Osteopaths are hardly noticeable to the patient. The Osteopath will then place one hand under the sacrum (the bone at the bottom of the spine) to do similar work. It is important to treat both the cranium and the sacrum, as they are intimately connected by the dura (the covering membrane of the brain and spinal cord) and any tension left behind can act as a maintaining factor.
|
London Bridge - Crosby Row
Unit 1 Plantain Place Crosby Row London SE1 1YN |
Opening Hours
Monday 3.30pm - 7.30pm Tuesday 8am - 12pm Wednesday 10.30am - 1.30pm Thursday 3.30pm - 7.30pm Friday 3.30pm - 7.30pm Saturday 9.30am - 12.30pm |
Prices
1 hour Initial Consultation - £80 45min Follow-up Consultation - £70 |
|
© Copyright HartOsteopathy.com
Website Terms |