Cranial Osteopathy

Cranial Osteopathy

Cranial osteopathy (also known as Craniosacral treatment, or Osteopathy in the Cranial Field) is a refined and subtle type of osteopathic manipulative treatment that encourages the release of structural tension throughout the body by affecting the bones and membranes of the skull and central nervous system. It is a very gentle, yet extremely effective approach to the treatment of a wide variety of conditions, and may be used in people of all ages.

Although the skull appears to be a rigid, inflexible container, it is composed of many separate bones. Each bone forms a long joint known as a suture. These sutures allow for a small amount of motion to occur between the different skull bones. Dysfunction or restriction in that motion can lead to a variety of problems and can contribute to headaches, depression, stomach and intestinal problems and other systemic symptoms. By applying gentle pressure to certain bones and sutures, the motion is restored and symptoms improve. This type of treatment is particularly useful in newborns and infants who have misshapen heads due to birth trauma or who have difficulty breast or bottle-feeding.

Conditions treated with Cranial treatment

Cranial treatment is used to treat an array of injuries, painful conditions, and diseases. A few examples of conditions treated with Cranial treatment include:

• Musculoskeletal pain
• Generalized pain disorders
• Tension, cluster, and other headaches
• Migraine headaches
• Sinus problems
• Recurrent infections
• Traumatic injuries
• Joint pain and sports injuries
• Functional and organic bowel disorders
• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Depression
• Fibromyalgia

Cranial techniques are also extremely helpful in treating a variety of pediatric illnesses and conditions, including:

• Excessive crying
• Colic
• Feeding difficulties
• Sleep disturbances
• Recurrent ear infections (otitis media)
• Other recurrent infections
• Asthma
• Sinus and adenoidal problems
• Behavior problems