Cranial Osteopathy
Cranial osteopathy is a very gentle and effective form of treatment which uses very subtle manipulative pressure to encourage the release of stresses throughout the body, including the head.
Introduction to cranial osteopathy
Osteopathy is a holistic approach to health which focuses on the body’s natural ability to heal and regulate itself. It uses gentle, hands-on techniques which can help to address imbalances, and release tension from in body.
Cranial osteopathy is one of the techniques which we can use to do this. It’s a very gentle approach, which makes it particularly suitable for babies, and many parents welcome this natural, medication free approach which is individually tailored to each baby.
The name cranial osteopathy can be a bit misleading as it is not restricted to the head. Osteopathy is about treating the whole person, rather than the condition, so we’ll look for the underlying issue to identify exactly what’s causing the trouble.
Benefits of cranial osteopathy for babies
Osteopathy is concerned with the whole person, and releasing tension and imbalances in the body rather than focussing on specific conditions. Sometimes, the babies can experience tension in their bodies, maybe as a result of their position in the womb or the journey through birth. Osteopathy gently works to release these areas of tension, supporting their body’s natural ability to settle and regulate.
Parents have reported various benefits of paediatric cranial osteopathy for babies, including relief from digestive issues such as colic and reflux, improved sleep, and less tightness in the body, meaning for example that babies who have favoured turning their head one way over the other, can be more comfortable.
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How cranial osteopathy is performed on babies
At your first appointment, we’ll start with a ‘listening session’, so as well as finding out about the problem that you’ve come in with, we can understand the other factors that help to build up the picture of your baby’s life so far. We’ll want to hear about how your pregnancy went and what their birth was like, as well as any illnesses or anything else which has been happening since then.
Once we have all of this information we’ll make a ‘comfort check’, very gently feeling their body for tension or tension patterns, and we’ll talk you through anything that shows up. We’ll talk you through what we can feel, so we can begin to understand why they are uncomfortable.
If we believe that your baby would benefit from osteopathic treatment, we’ll let you know what we think will make a difference. Our aim is to have them feeling better again as soon as possible, so that they can be comfortable, calm and relaxed, and you can get on with enjoying family life together.
Conclusion
If your baby is unsettled or fractious, or experiencing challenges about feeding or digestion, we offer a natural, medication-free approach, tailored to them.
We can provide reassurance, and a space for parents to feel heard, with clear explanations of what is happening with your baby and why. We can help to make sense of why they are uncomfortable so that you can get on with enjoying life as a family.
Even if you don’t have a specific cause for concern, it can be very reassuring to have the opportunity for a thorough check over.
Call now to book you Happy Baby Check, or find out more about how osteopathy could help your family.
Testimonials
What our clients say
FAQs
Yes, osteopathy is an extremely safe and natural approach to healthcare which works with the body’s own heath and repair mechanisms.
Osteopathy is a recognised health profession, and has the same safeguards that you would enjoy if you visited a doctor or a dentist.
Osteopathy is a recognised health profession, and has the same safeguards that you would enjoy if you visited a doctor or a dentist.
Cranial osteopathy is a particularly gentle form of osteopathy, which makes it especially suitable for babies and children.
Parents often seek osteopathic support when their baby seems uncomfortable or unsettled. While every baby is different, families commonly tell us they notice improvements in areas such as feeding, sleep, digestion, or general contentment following treatment. If you’re uncertain whether osteopathy could be helpful for your little one, please contact us, and we can talk through whether we may be able to help.
Babies generally respond very quickly to treatment, and if after your baby’s first appointment we think further treatment would be helpful, it is typically just a few more sessions that they will need to be feeling comfortable in their body.
