Cranial Osteopathy

Cranial Osteopathy treatment for babies and adults in Oakwood, North London

Cranial osteopathy, almost identical to craniosacral therapy, is an extremely gentle form of osteopathic treatment.

It is a light and gentle hands on treatment. Our cranial osteopaths are highly skilled at sensing areas of tension and dysfunction through their hands. They treat by using very gentle holding and release techniques to encourage a therapeutic response whereby the body begins to release stored tension and restore its balance. For some people this can result in less pain and improved sense of wellbeing.

This soft and light treatment makes for a safe, relaxing and comfortable experience. Adults, the elderly and children find cranial osteopathy treatments a positive and relaxing experience, and people travel from across Enfield, Winchmore Hill, Palmers Green, Southgate and the surrounding areas for Cranial Osteopathy treatment here at Oakwood Clinic.

Some babies are brought in for a general osteopathic check up – to help ensure they are given every chance of staying happy and healthy.

Symptoms of babies that may benefit from craniosacral treatment include:

• Crying babies
• Feeding difficulties such as poor latching on and regurgitation of feed
• Sickness, colic and wind
• Sleep disturbances
• Recurrent infections such as ear infections
• Persistent coughs and runny nose
• Wry neck – when baby turns head to one side all the time
• Flattened areas of the head

Adults having cranial osteopathy treatments may be helped with:

• Back or neck pain
• Long term pain
• Stress and muscle tension
• Arthritis pain
• Headaches and migraines
• Jaw pain and clicking
• Accidents and whiplash

Cranial Osteopathy Treatments For Babies & Children

Babies are subjected to strong forces during the birthing process. These stresses can create issues in infants as the baby has to turn and twist during delivery.

The baby’s head has the remarkable ability to absorb these stresses in a normal delivery. In order to reduce the size of the head, the soft bones overlap, bend and warp as the baby descends.

As a result, some babies are born with odd shaped heads. Over the first few days, the baby’s head gradually readjusts.

However, the “unmoulding” process is understood by cranial osteopaths to sometimes be incomplete, especially if the birth has been difficult. The baby may have to live with some very uncomfortable abnormal muscle tension within the head and body as a result of this “retained moulding”.

This can result in a crying, irritable baby, or a baby that needs to be rocked to sleep and which prefers being carried. This is because the baby is often uncomfortable — and more so when lying down.

Caesarian section deliveries may also be associated with sleeping and feeding problems in babies.

On average, 2 to 6 treatments of cranial osteopathy are usually given when babies have common symptoms such as mild colic or are poor sleepers.

It is wonderful to see the change in babies that can occur after a few treatments when they become calm and happy, and mum and dad can enjoy this precious time together without the worry of seeing their baby distressed.

Parents of a recently treated baby said:

“We saw [Oakwood osteopath] Annmarie with our son Lachlan when he was 7 weeks old. He’d been screaming most evenings for 4-5 hours at a time but after just 1 session he seemed calmer and much more content. The treatment itself was very calming and Lachlan slept through most of it. We returned for a follow up and after that Annmarie felt he didn’t need any further sessions. Although previously sceptical, we couldn’t believe the changes in our son after just one session.”

— Cat & Johnathan

Cranial Osteopathy for Baby Feeding Difficulties

Babies can have feeding difficulties, either in taking a longer time to feed, or may be a “windy” feeder. Cranial osteopaths find that treating abnormal tension in the head and neck muscles can improve with feeding difficulties.

Cranial Treatment for Baby Sickness, Colic and Wind

This includes problems such as regurgitation of milk between feeds, or bouts of prolonged crying due to colic and wind – which are often worse in the evening.

This may be because the nerve to the stomach, which exits from the base of the skull, can be irritated, impairing digestion. The vagus nerve, which connects with the gut, runs down through the neck, and if your baby has strained its neck during birth it may result in tummy pain, indigestion and excess wind.

Cranial Treatment for Baby Sleep Problems and Disturbances

Cranial treatments can sometimes be associated with improvement in babies suffering from sleep problems, such as only sleeping for short periods (and only sleeping little during the day) or waking to the slightest noise – very light sleeping.

This may be because of abnormal tension in the head and neck that can keep the baby’s nervous system in a constantly alert state.

Cranial Treatment for babies and children with recurrent infections

Cranial osteopathy may also help with recurring infections such as ear infections, and sinus problems.

If you are unsure whether cranial osteopathy may be suitable for yourself or your baby, please call us and we will be able to advise you.

What to expect when you bring your baby for cranial osteopathy

Your cranial osteopath will ask you for details of the baby’s delivery, as well as the problems that your baby is experiencing. Brief medical histories of both parents will also be touched on. The baby will then be carefully assessed with light holds around the head and spine – with the baby lying comfortably.

Sometimes the baby experiences a brief episode of restlessness or crying during treatment, which then passes as the associated tension points are released, and babies normally leave the Clinic looking relaxed and happy, and quite often asleep.

Cranial osteopathy for adults, adolescents and older children

Because of the gentle nature of cranial osteopathy, it is popular with many people looking to reduce stress and tension, as well as for aches and pains.

Some people feel they have stored up stress or other emotions following unpleasant life events such as accidents or bereavement.

Many people report a welcome release of some of this tension, helping them become their normal selves again.