How do cranial osteopaths work?
The cranial approach of osteopathic treatment is gentle safe and effective for babies and children. Very skilfully but specific light pressure is applied to cranium, where necessary to assist the natural ability of the body to release stress patterns and tension.

The guiding principle of Osteopathy is to assist the body to resolve diseases. Given the opportunity the body will sort itself out. Cranial osteopathy follows the same principle assisting the correction of older problems in adults and developing issues in babies and children.

Osteopathy aids the recovery by releasing strains of winding fascias and tissues. Alignment of bones in correct position and influencing a balance of physiological processes and promoting drainage of lymph tissues where necessary. Activation of other nervous and immune responses are vastly helped with Osteopathy.

The nervous system contributes by controlling the regulation of fluid exchange and maintaining correct fluid pH balance to the blood and organ system, supplying blood to all limbs and tissues. For example, reducing the congestion of lymph and releasing tension in the upper respiratory muscles generally helps a child with asthma. The swallowing of meconium may cause irritation of airways, and tightening of the soft tissue linings, which upsets the breathing mechanism. Complaints of ear infections can be due to temporal bone dysfunction or by the use of ventous or forceps during delivery. The pressure on the cranial bones interrupts drainage from the eustachian tube. Causing incomplete drainage arising in recurrent ear infections from congestion of fluid.

Some delivery instruments can cause compression of cranial bones and compromising the foramina’s and the existing cranial nerves. The physical traumas may present with distortion in the shape of the babies’ head, later on developing visual problems, hearing difficulties or impaired speech and delayed mental development. These signs may not be apparent until a lot later in childhood or adolescent, in some cases as an adult.
The cranial nerves innervate sense organs and important structures inside the brain.

Osteopathy is very effective for these kind of problems and emotional traumas may it be a fall or a fright. Babies and young children are very sensitive and display signs of shock in numerous ways. This can range from disturbed sleeping patterns to abnormal crying with breathing difficulties. Altered digestion is affected by abnormal tension within the soft tissue ie membranes affecting organ function. Thus putting strains on ligamentous attachments resulting in disturbed fluid exchange.