Cranial Osteopathy

Cranial Osteopathy Treatments at Shine Health Salons North London

Cranial osteopathy is a refined form of osteopathic treatment, which uses very delicate manipulative pressure to encourage your innate healing abilities. Like all osteopathy, it views your body as a self-correcting, self-regulating mechanism that’s constantly striving to establish optimal wellbeing. 

Although often sought by adults its delicate, non-invasive nature allows treatment of all ages, in all states of health. The practitioner takes various gentle holds around your body, especially your head and sacrum (the large triangular bone at the base of the spine).
Often lasting a few minutes, these enable him or her, to detect how your ‘inner physician’ is working to correct your problems, and then to stimulate that natural rebalancing process through very subtle movements. These subtle holds sometimes result in a temporary worsening of symptoms, generally followed by noticeable improvement after one or two days.

Cranial Osteopathy is commonly useful during Pregnancy, after giving birth and for young Babies. It is also a great support for those experiencing Back Pain or Chronic Health issues. 

Is Cranial Osteopathy Suitable for Pregnancy?

«

Cranial Osteopathy for Pregnancy, explained by Rehana Kapadia.

Cranial Osteopathy is very much concerned about the balance of the body and this means attention to the spine, certainly, but also extends from the head to the pelvis, limbs and includes the internal organs.
During pregnancy, the early surges of hormones can be very demanding on the new mum-to-be and may result in first trimester fatigue and possible nausea. Subsequent softening of ligaments, through hormonal (relaxin) influence and increasing size of the growing foetus, will alter the mechanics of the body. Pregnancy is, of course, a natural and dynamic process and the female body is designed to adapt accordingly.

The approach taken by the cranial osteopath is to assess and support the body, as it changes, to ensure continuity of health for both mum-to-be and growing baby.  For some women, the change of posture from the increasing weight of the baby can create so much tension or increased curvature in the mum’s lower spine, that it causes backpain.  Also, the abdominal organs are progressively pushed toward the diaphragm and ribs to provide space for the baby and may result in breathlessness or heartburn.  Increasing pressure on the bladder often leads to increased urgency (especially at night) and ligament strain in the pelvis can manifest in SPD or symphysis pubic dysfunction.  Osteopathic treatment is geared toward encouraging overall health and specifically to good pelvic balance, release of pressure on the spine and internal organs and ease of movement of the diaphragm and pelvic floor, to allow full engagement for the baby in later stages and optimise a normal labour and delivery.

How soon after birth should me or my baby have Cranial Osteopathy?

«

Ideally, Cranial Osteopaths like to see new babies and mums soon after the birth, as it gives us an invaluable opportunity to provide a check up.
We are trained to examine neonates in both a medical context to check muscle tone, primitive reflexes, assess hips for dysplasia and feet for possible talipes (rotated feet), and also consider the conception, pregnancy and birth history to be part of the babies health story. Seeing a new baby, taking it’s history and carrying out an assessment allows the cranial osteopath to ascertain whether, for example, a baby who is very unsettled was affected by a very quick or prolonged delivery, or whether a baby who is struggling to latch on, may have had the cord around it’s neck and affected it’s ability to coordinate sucking and breathing efficiently.

 

 

What are the benefits of Cranial Osteopathy for my Baby?

«

Cranial Osteopathy for Baby

The balance of the head on the neck is of crucial significance to the development of the overall posture of the body and in many cases the position of the baby in the uterus and the stresses placed upon it during the birth can imprint a pattern into which it will grow.
One such pattern, that we are seeing more of, is that of the ‘flat head syndrome’ where babies have an asymmetry or ‘plagiocephaly’, which, if left untreated, can go on to manifest into a scoliosis and pelvic torsion.

For osteopaths, if a pattern of compression, asymmetry or postural imbalance is left unchecked, even at a subtle level, the baby’s capacity to meet the normal developmental milestones, such as teething, rolling, sitting, crawling and walking can be compromised.

Rehana Kapadia, Osteopath at Shine Holistic

 

What is Cranial Osteopathy good for?

«

As primary care practitioners, cranial osteopaths feel that being able to ‘check in’ intermittently throughout a patient’s life will ensure a preventative and proactive approach to health.
In addition, if a person can be treated to correct imbalances arising from birth issues, childhood falls, illness, orthodontics, pubertal growth spurts, work strains and accidents, thus promoting health, it can only give the body a better chance of coping with the stresses that are an inevitable part of life.

 

How often should I have Cranial Osteopathy?

«

Speak to your Practitioner to be advised how often to have treatment.  It will depend upon what you are dealing with, be it an acute injury, chronic health condition, stresses and strains, or post pregnancy. They will let you know after your 1st appointment how regularly to come and see them for optimum results. When you are in a much better balance within your body, they will let you know and will be happy to see you as and when required.

Book Your Cranial Osteopathy for Pregnancy, Postnatal or Baby Treatment at Shine Salons North London

If you would like to book an appointment, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Call 020 7241 5033.

For further options of Practitioners and Times, see our full list of Osteopaths.

Expert Cranial Osteopathy services near you

Stoke Newington

Newington Green

Islington

N1

N16

North London

My Reviews

Rehana
Rachel Millward
This is a review for Osteopathy with Rehana Kapadia.... I've been going to this clinic to have Cranial Osteopathy with the wonderful Rehana Kapadia, for well over a decade. When I started seeing Rehana, I was in my 20s, and experiencing debilitating chronic pain, struggling with mobility, going through major corrective surgeries. Rehana's treatments were safe, when very little was - I am always absolutely confident that she won't trigger a flare up or push my body to do something it isn't ready for. She is gentle in all the ways! And incredibly intelligent, knowledgable and intuitive in the best way - with bags of humility. Over the years I've really appreciated the trust and respect which developed. I came with very complex problems - no one thing could fix them, but I am now free of pain and immobility most of the time, and have a much, much easier life! Rehana treated me through two pregancies and post partum phases, and now treats both my daughters, meeting and treating them on their first day of life! They both really look forward to their termly treatment... they know it will make them feel much easier in their bodies afterwards. If anyone is ill, or has an infection or injury, Rehana is our first port of call. She's helped with ear infections, allergies, bad backs, teething... Massively recommended!
Thanks Rachel

Practitioners