Gentle Osteopathic Care • North London
Cranial Osteopathy in North London
A gentle approach to osteopathic care for adults, children and babies
Cranial osteopathy is a gentle approach used by registered osteopaths as part of osteopathic assessment and treatment.
Rather than being a completely separate form of healthcare, cranial techniques form part of the range of approaches available to an osteopath. Treatment is adapted to the individual and may involve very light, subtle contact alongside other appropriate osteopathic techniques.
At Sutherland House in North London, our osteopaths take time to understand your medical history, symptoms, lifestyle and individual needs before deciding whether a cranial approach may be appropriate.
We provide cranial osteopathic care for adults, children and babies, with treatment always adapted to the age and needs of the individual.
A lighter approach
Understanding the Approach
What is Cranial Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a regulated healthcare profession concerned with the relationship between the structure and function of the body.
Registered osteopaths use clinical assessment together with a range of approaches which can include joint articulation, soft-tissue techniques, movement and exercise advice and other forms of manual therapy.
Cranial osteopathy refers to a particularly gentle approach within osteopathic practice.
The osteopath uses a highly developed sense of touch to assess the body and applies subtle manual techniques where appropriate. Despite its name, a cranial approach is not necessarily confined to the head; the osteopath assesses the individual as a whole and selects techniques according to the findings of the examination.
There is no standard cranial treatment that is applied to every patient. Your treatment is based on your individual presentation.
Your Appointment
What Happens During a Cranial Osteopathy Appointment?
Your first appointment begins with a detailed consultation.
Your osteopath will ask about:
- your current symptoms and reason for attending
- your medical history
- previous injuries or surgery
- medication and relevant medical investigations
- lifestyle and activity
- any other factors that may be relevant to your presentation.
This will normally be followed by an appropriate physical examination.
The osteopath may assess posture, movement, joints, muscles and other areas of the musculoskeletal system before discussing their findings with you.
Where cranial techniques are considered appropriate, treatment typically involves gentle contact and subtle manual techniques.
Other osteopathic techniques, movement advice or exercises may also be incorporated where appropriate.
Your osteopath will explain what they propose to do and obtain your consent before treatment.
Recognised Musculoskeletal Presentations
What Can Osteopathy Help With?
Osteopaths use a variety of techniques, of which cranial techniques may form one part.
Current ASA/CAP guidance accepts treatment claims for osteopathy in relation to a number of musculoskeletal conditions and symptoms, including:
- general, acute and chronic backache and back pain
- uncomplicated mechanical neck pain
- joint pains
- arthritic and rheumatic pain
- muscle spasms
- generalised aches and pains
- minor sports injuries
- sciatica
- neuralgia
- headache arising from the neck
- migraine prevention
- frozen shoulder
- certain shoulder and elbow pain
- cramp
- tension and inability to relax.
Gentle, age-appropriate osteopathic care
Cranial Osteopathy for Babies
Registered osteopaths can provide osteopathic assessment and care for people of all ages, including babies.
An appointment for a baby begins with taking a thorough history. This can include information about pregnancy and birth where clinically relevant, the baby’s medical history and any concerns that have led the parent or guardian to seek an osteopathic assessment.
The osteopath will then carry out an examination appropriate to the baby’s age.
Treatment techniques used with babies are adapted accordingly and may involve very gentle contact.
A parent or guardian remains involved throughout the appointment, and the osteopath will explain their assessment and proposed approach before proceeding.
An important distinction
Sutherland House does not claim that cranial osteopathy has been established as a treatment for conditions specifically associated with babies, such as colic, reflux, feeding difficulties or sleep problems.
The current evidence base for osteopathy in relation to many baby-specific conditions is limited, and ASA/CAP guidance specifically restricts advertising claims in these areas.
Our role is to provide an appropriate osteopathic assessment and determine whether osteopathic care is suitable. If a baby’s presentation requires assessment by a GP, health visitor, paediatrician or another healthcare professional, we will recommend appropriate medical advice or referral.
Children & Young People
Cranial Osteopathy for Children
Children’s bodies change considerably as they grow, so osteopathic assessment and treatment need to take account of age, development, activity and individual circumstances.
Our osteopaths provide age-appropriate assessment and osteopathic care for children and young people.
An appointment may include assessment of:
- posture
- movement
- joint and muscle function
- relevant musculoskeletal symptoms
- physical activity and sporting demands
- previous injuries or medical history.
Any hands-on techniques are selected according to the child’s age, presentation and individual needs.
Parents or guardians are involved in the consultation and treatment process as appropriate.
Where a child’s symptoms require investigation or medical management outside the scope of osteopathic care, your osteopath will advise you accordingly.
Adult Care
Cranial Osteopathy for Adults
Cranial techniques may also be incorporated into osteopathic care for adults.
Some patients prefer a particularly gentle treatment approach, while in other cases an osteopath may decide that cranial techniques are appropriate as part of a broader treatment plan.
Your osteopath may combine them with other approaches such as:
- soft-tissue techniques
- gentle joint articulation
- mobilisation
- stretching
- exercise or movement advice
- postural and lifestyle advice.
The exact approach is determined following your consultation and examination.
Understanding Your Options
Cranial Osteopathy or Structural Osteopathy?
Cranial and structural osteopathy are not competing treatments.
They are different approaches that a registered osteopath may draw upon according to the patient and their presentation.
Cranial osteopathy
Generally uses lighter, more subtle manual techniques.
Structural osteopathy
Generally places greater emphasis on the musculoskeletal system and may include mobilisation, articulation, soft-tissue techniques, stretching and, where appropriate, manipulation.
Some appointments may involve elements of both.
Your osteopath will recommend an approach after assessing you rather than requiring you to decide which technique you need beforehand.
Is Cranial Osteopathy the Same as Craniosacral Therapy?
No. The terms are sometimes used interchangeably by the public, but they should not automatically be regarded as the same service.
At Sutherland House, cranial osteopathy means cranial techniques used within osteopathic practice by a registered osteopath.
In the UK, the title osteopath is protected by law and osteopaths are regulated by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC).
This distinction is important when choosing a practitioner.
Is Cranial Osteopathy the Same as Craniosacral Therapy?
Before recommending treatment, your osteopath will take a medical history and carry out an appropriate assessment.
Registered osteopaths are trained to recognise circumstances in which osteopathic treatment may not be appropriate and when further medical investigation or referral should be considered.
Techniques are selected according to factors including the patient’s:
- age
- health
- medical history
- presentation
- individual needs.
This is particularly important when treating babies, children and older or medically complex patients.
How Many Appointments Will I Need?
There is no predetermined number of treatments.
After your initial assessment, your osteopath will discuss their findings and, where treatment is appropriate, explain a proposed management plan.
Progress should be reviewed throughout treatment and there should be a clear clinical reason for continuing care.
Sutherland House
Cranial Osteopathy at Sutherland House
Sutherland House has provided osteopathic and multidisciplinary healthcare in North London for many years.
Our registered osteopaths work alongside practitioners from a number of healthcare disciplines, enabling referral or multidisciplinary input where appropriate.
The clinic provides cranial osteopathic assessment and treatment for:
Adults · Children · Babies
If you are unsure whether cranial or structural osteopathy is the appropriate appointment to book, please contact the clinic and we can advise you.
Meet the Team
Your Osteopaths at Sutherland House
Our osteopathic team provides assessment and treatment from Sutherland House in NW11, North London.
Registered Osteopath
Bsc (Hons) Osteopathy Med ND DPO
Cranial Osteopathy
FSM Practitioner
View Sarojni’s Profile
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