We are a welcoming family clinic in Blackheath providing cranial osteopathy for all ages, either as a standalone treatment or alongside traditional osteopathic treatment and other physical therapy techniques such as sports massage and dry needling. Babies are also welcome for cranial treatment and we are experienced in treating babies as well as children and adolescents.
We are fully registered with the General Osteopathic Council and Institute of Osteopathy, and booking is easy with our online system. There are no long wait times and you can typically see one of our osteopaths within 24-48 hours of booking your appointment. We are here to help and if you have any questions about how we may be able to help please contact us and we will be happy to discuss.
Cranial osteopathy is a specialist branch of osteopathy which uses a highly developed sense of touch to aid in treating the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. The practitioner lays their hands or fingertips on the person being treated and uses palpation and very subtle movements to effect changes in the body.
Unlike structural osteopathy which uses techniques such as manipulation and mobilisation – moving parts of the body more overtly and obviously – the technique of cranial osteopathy is to lay hands on the patient and make extremely small movements with the fingertips. These movements may at times feel almost imperceptible.
Cranial osteopathy is an extremely gentle and holistic therapy which aims to treat the underlying causes of problems through rebalancing the nervous system. Its nature makes it a very popular treatment for babies who are unsettled or regularly upset.
Despite the name, cranial osteopathy does not deal exclusively with the head. Cranial osteopaths use touch to treat various parts of the body, using their technique on the back, diaphragm or anywhere else. Cranial osteopaths also do not manipulate the bones of the head, which are fused at birth.
There are a wide range of conditions which can benefit from cranial osteopathy, either in isolation or as a complementary therapy alongside other core treatments. The most obvious are generally nervous disorders such as headaches and migraines, stress and hyperactivity. The body will always benefit from a deeper level of calm and relaxation, so in a sense cranial osteopathy can be a helpful adjunct to treating any other conditions even when it does not treat the condition directly.
Cranial osteopathy can also help in treating any of the other conditions osteopaths treat, including back pain, joint pain and similar conditions. To discuss whether cranial osteopathy might be able to help with your particular condition, or to what extent cranial or structural osteopathy – or another therapy entirely – might be most appropriate, please don’t hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to help.
Cranial osteopathy is a very popular treatment for babies due to its gentle, holistic and non-invasive nature. A cranial osteopath will release any tension in your baby’s neck and musculoskeletal system, and help to balance the nervous system and biorhythms of the body.
This can help with a wide range of conditions, and parents often report that their baby is calmer, sleeps better, cries less and appears generally happier. Treatment may also help with digestive issues such as reflux or gas, or certain issues around breastfeeding.
When booking a cranial osteopathy appointment for your baby it is important to understand exactly what we can and can’t treat and what benefits cranial osteopathy might have in your particular case. Please contact us to discuss and we will be happy to help.
Our skilled and experienced practitioners take a person-centred approach and are dedicated to helping you back to full health, whatever your age, activity level or health goals. Our osteopaths are fully registered with the General Osteopathic Council and Institute of Osteopathy.
Whether booking for yourself or for your baby, at your first appointment we will give you time to explain the reasons for coming to the clinic and the symptoms you or your baby are experiencing. Your osteopath will ask you questions and take a brief medical history before moving on to an examination and treatment.
As discussed, cranial osteopathy is a very gentle treatment and is generally a very calming, relaxing and pleasant experience. The treatment is not painful, there are no side effects, and you should notice an improvement in your symptoms from the first session.
Booking is easy using our online system. There are no long wait times and you can normally schedule an appointment within 24-48 hours. If you have any questions or would like to discuss how cranial osteopathy might be able to help, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
The information on this page has been reviewed for accuracy by Nirosan Sriskandarajah MOst, osteopath and clinical director of Sphere Osteopathic Clinic.
Sphere Osteopathic Clinic
5 Delacourt Road
Blackheath
London SE3 8XA
