Osteopathy

About Cranial Osteopathy

cranial osteopathy

Cranial osteopathy was developed in the early decades of the last century by osteopath John Martin Littlejohn after he noticed how the bones in the cranium of the human skull overlapped each other in a way that indicated the possibility of some movement and flexing at the joints. He pursued his interest to the point where he began the process of understanding how the Primary or Involuntary Mechanism – a constant flexing and contracting movement felt throughout the body – was initiated and how it was linked to movements at the cranium base of the skull and on to the sacrum at the base of the spine via the connections and attachments of the spinal cord. He began to see it as a vital and elementary aspect of life and health.

Cranial osteopathy uses very gentle techniques to release and rebalance the human body of whatever age, young or old, in a way that releases tension and restrictions and so enables it to return to a more healthy, balanced state. It is particularly suited, given its gentleness, to releasing restriction in infants and babies that might have been caused by the birthing process and be causing discomfort in the babies’ early months. It can also be useful in treating pains caused by the natural pelvic and low back adjustments during pregnancy, as well as headaches and tension in the neck and other musculoskelatal conditions.