Osteopathy is a way of detecting, treating and preventing health problems by moving, stretching and massaging a person’s muscles and joints.

Osteopathy is based on the principle that the wellbeing of an individual depends on the proper and smooth functioning of their body framework – principally the skeleton and the connective tissue, but taking onto account the related vascular and nerve elements.

Osteopaths believe their treatments allow the body to heal itself. Most people who see an osteopath do so for help with back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, or other problems related to muscles and joints, although osteopathy has been shown to help in a number of conditions, including digestive problems and period pain.

Osteopaths use a number of different types of technique, all principally aimed at isolating and removing barriers to full and natural skeletal and joint movement.

Read more about Osteopaths Lucy Rayner, Andrew Bryant and Cranial Osteopath Manjit Sehmby.

Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle form of bodywork that has evolved from the practice of Osteopathy. It works with the active force of your health to help process and release long held patterns of physical, psychological and emotional stress.

People often come to Craniosacral Therapy because they feel stressed, disconnected from their body or in some kind of physical or emotional pain. Or, they may just wish to feel the strengthening effects of deep relaxation that this treatment so commonly evokes.

Craniosacral therapy does not involve applied force to correct irregularities in the body. Light, sustained touch is used on areas of the skeletal system to identify and release tensions held within the connective tissue.

Every cell in our body expresses motion. Cell movement is a highly complex and dynamic phenomenon essential to the function of health. Cells build tissues, tissues build structures (our organs, muscles and bones), and collectively these structures make up different systems of our body which all integrate to make us whole. The core structure of our body – the craniosacral system – comprised of our cranium, spine, pelvis and articulating membranes, nerve tissues, muscles and fluids; expresses motion as one functioning unit.

Embryologically this system developed from a single midline of cells, around which the rest of our form was created. It is at the very centre of our being. When the therapist is in contact with the craniosacral system, they are in direct relationship with the health of the whole person.

People experience different sensations during a treatment. Generally most people feel deeply relaxed, and become more aware of bodily sensations in response to the therapeutic process as it happens.

Read more about Craniosacral therapy practitioners Ged Ferguson, Sally Christ,  Paul Lennard and  Manjit Sehmby.