Appointments are between 30 to 40 minutes. A full case history will be taken initially and treatment will then follow in the same session.

We would encourage you to stay with your child during treatment and talk and play with them as appropriate. Please do bring favourite books or small toys with you.

WHAT IS CRANIAL OSTEOPATHY?

It is a system of manual medicine devised by William Garner Sutherland in America earlier this century. As an Osteopath he discovered that the 26 bones making up the skull were intricately jointed in such a way as to permit slight yielding motion. He understood that this was in order to allow a slight rhythmical expansion and contraction of the brain inside which is quite independent of the movements of the breathing and heart beat. He further discovered that this motion is not confined to the head but is present, and can be felt, throughout the body. The motion seems essential for maintenance of health. When the body is subjected to trauma such as birth or other injury this slight motion can become disrupted and thus the health of the body may be disturbed or compromised.

Cranial Osteopathy is a gentle manual treatment that aims to restore normal movement in the body, and thus allow healthy function and integration to all body systems. The treatment helps to re-establish the body's own self healing and self regulating ability to the point where the health can be maintained without the assistance of the Osteopath.

WHAT DOES TREATMENT INVOLVE?

Your child will feel light pressure on different parts of the head and body, and maybe some gentle movement of the body or limbs. No pain or discomfort will be experienced. The child will normally be relaxed after the treatment and sleep well. Occasionally they may be unsettled for a day or so.

WHAT CONDITIONS DO WE TREAT?

Babies:
Distressed and irritate babies: This may be due to unresolved stresses and strains in the head causing a feeling of pressure and discomfort.

Feeding difficulties: The nerves to the throat and tongue may be irritated as they exit from the skull. This can make sucking difficult and predispose to vomiting.

Sickness colic and wind: The nerve to the stomach may be irritated as it leaves the base of the skull. This can impair digestion and the ability of the stomach to retain its contents.

Sleep disturbances: The tension of the bony and membranous casing of the skull keeps the baby's nervous system in a persistently alert state.

Growing Children:
Ear infection and glue ear: Retained birth compressions within and around the ear can cause partial or complete blocking and dysfunction of the Eustachian tube. This stasis leaves a vulnerability to infection which may become recurrent.

Behavioural problems and learning difficulties: This can be a continuation of the restlessness as a young baby and lead to a short attention span. Severe compression can modify normal patterns of learning in the brain.

Injuries: The falls, bangs and strains of childhood can cause patterns of compression leading to headaches, backache, recurrent infections etc.Cerebral Palsy: We have found by experience that children with more severe types of damage do respond well to osteopathic treatment within their capacity for change.

Asthma: While a complex problem with many causative factors Osteopathic treatment to release birth stresses and help improve chest function is often beneficial in reducing the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.

This is far from a complete list, please ask for you would like further information.

AT WHAT AGE CAN YOU TREAT BABIES?

Babies can be treated soon after birth, and we recommend that all babies be checked within the first 6 weeks. They may need to be regularly checked through childhood.

PRACTITIONERS

Giles Cleghorn MApp Se (Ost Paed) DO DSH
Barbara Moulang Bsc (Hons) Ost
Mala Balani BSc (Hons) Ost
Alex Prince BSc (Hons) Ost

For the treatment of:
Sickness, colic and wind
Sleep disturbances
Feeding difficulties
Disproportionate distress
Recurrent infections
Ear infections
Asthma
Behavioural problems
Sinus and adenoidal problems
Cerebral palsy and other types of brain damage
And more

OPENING TIMES

We are open Monday to Friday 9.00am and 5.00pm.

MAKING CONTACT

For further information see below.