Cranial Osteopathy

Most people think that because babies are so young, they shouldnʼt have any tension in their body. In reality, birth is one of the most traumatic experience of our life and can leave various degrees of strains.

During the birth process, the bones of the babyʼs skull have to overlap to go through the birth canal. They will usually unfold during the few days after birth by crying, feeding and yawning. But if this process is incomplete, residual tension within the babyʼs skull will create a variety of symptoms.
One of the main reasons why this might happen is if the birth was difficult.

A prolonged labour, often leading to a vacuum (suction) and/or forceps delivery will intensify the pressure on the babyʼs head. So will induction as the contractions are much stronger than natural ones.
On the other hand, a fast labour or C-section will both come in as a shock for the baby and often leave him unsettled.
And if the foetal position is not right, the area of the skull pushing against the uterus will not be the one physiologically designed to take the most pressure.

The remaining tensions left can manifest as:

• flat head
• torticollis
• difficulty sleeping
• trouble feeding
• regurgitation
• painful wind
• constipation
• excessive crying, irritable baby
• difficulty teething

Thankfully it is never too early to treat and cranial osteopathy is increasingly becoming the treatment of choice by many parents.

In children, the effects of retained strains from the birth or acquired strains (due to falls for example) might lead to:

• recurrent ear infections
• recurrent chest infections
• asthma
• behavior problems
• poor concentration
• learning difficulties
• restlessness
• depleted immune system
• growing pains
• poor balance
• fatigue

Although a treatment will be most efficient before five years of age, it is never too late to treat either!

While structural osteopathy uses a variety of techniques to relieve muscle tension and mobilize restricted joints, cranial osteopathy is particularly gentle and is used with children, sensitive patients and for certain complaints.

It works with the involuntary mechanism, which is a subtle rhythmical motion initiated in the head and sacrum, and present in all tissues of the body. As for the mechanics of the spine, this movement is affected by all the strains we have accumulated throughout our lives. Probably even more so as stress, emotional stress and illnesses for example will have an even greater effect on it.
To assess the vitality of this movement and release any tension, the osteopath will use a highly developed sense of touch. The pressure is so gentle – it is probably no greater than the weight of a 10 cent coin – it can be used on everybody, from the newborn to the elderly.

What can cranial osteopathy help with?

• stress
• headaches
• migraines
• dizziness
• vertigo
• low energy levels
• sleep problems
• sinusitis
• asthma
• chest infections
• ear infections
• indigestion
• constipation
• irritable bowel syndrome
• teeth grinding
• jaw pain
• menstrual discomfort, period pain and irregularity
• pregnancy related complaints
• post miscarriage and in some instance to help carry a pregnancy through
• babies and birth related problems
• dentistry