Frequently Asked Questions
What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a healing therapy which involves the diagnosis and treatment of structural and mechanical dysfunctions of the body.
Osteopaths recognise that the human body is inherently self-healing, self-regulating and self-correcting.
We believe that physical imbalances and strains impair the body's ability to maintain itself in a state of good health. We do not simply focus on treating the problem area but use a variety of manual techniques to balance and improve the functioning of the whole body and overall sense of wellbeing.
Osteopathy is a recognised healthcare system regulated by statute since 1993 and all osteopaths have to be registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) in order to practise. This has brought osteopaths in line with other medical professionals such as doctors, dentists, midwives and nurses, thereby ensuring the highest level of training, practice and conduct.
Is Cranial Osteopathy different to Osteopathy?
Cranial osteopathy is not different to osteopathy.
It is the name given to a subtle and refined approach that follows all the same principles, and is used throughout the whole body, not just the head. The name 'cranial osteopathy' simply refers to the fact that it includes the structures inside the head.
Cranial osteopaths use a highly developed sense of touch to feel subtle changes of tension and tissue quality in the living anatomy of the whole body, and to diagnose areas of strain or dysfunction.
Old injuries are often stored in the tissues of the body. As osteopaths we are often drawn to areas in the body that have been affected by past events, such as old accidents and injuries. The body may have learned to compensate for a traumatic event or injury and the effects may still be present and relevant to current symptoms.
Diagnosis and treatment are intimately linked as the osteopath works to activate the innate ability of the body to heal itself, and by offering gentle and specific support where it is needed to bring the tissues into a state of balance and release, thus restoring it to health.
Cranial osteopathy is a gentle, safe and effective approach to treatment of a wide range of problems in the whole body.
What sort of patients or conditions can be helped with cranial osteopathy?
This approach to osteopathy is a way of viewing the body rather than a type of technique and it can be used on every patient. Cranial osteopathy is widely known for the treatment of babies but it is equally effective for children, adults and the elderly.
In any osteopathic treatment, the whole body is involved and improvements are often noted in many different areas. For example, it is not uncommon for digestive problems to resolve when the spine or pelvis are being treated because of back pain or headaches to resolve when mid thoracic and neck mechanics are eased.
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