Cranial osteopathy manipulates the bones of the skull to treat cerebral palsy, head and spinal injury, hyperactivity, mood disorders, dizziness, dyslexia and head and ear conditions. Craniosacral therapy, developed by Dr John Upledger in America, aims to work via the craniosacral rhythm relating to the volume of cerebrospinal fluid, to make the central nervous system work more efficiently. Both claim that disorders can relate to the squashing of the head in birth and can be alleviated with the therapy. Osteopathy is regulated by the General Osteopathic Council, but cranial osteopathy is a specific treatment that requires some extra training. Generally, that provided by osteopaths is ‘cranial osteopathy’, and that provided by others is ‘craniosacral therapy’. Some physiotherapists are also trained in craniosacral therapy.
General Osteopathic Council, tel: 0207 357 9955, www.osteopathy.org.uk. The Sutherland Society is for osteopaths who have trained in cranial work, and publishes information about the treatment. www.cranial.org.uk (web only).
Cranio Sacral Society, tel: 01738 629444, www.cranio-sacral.org.uk
Holds a register of members.
Craniosacral Therapy Educational Trust, tel: 07000 785778, www.cranio.co.uk Trains in ‘biodynamic’ craniosacral therapy, and keeps its own register that includes people trained in techniques for mothers, babies and children.
Cerebra is currently funding a research project based at the Peninsula Medical School, Plymouth, on ‘Osteopathy in the Management of Brain Injured Children’. Please consult the Research section of the Cerebra website for any updates. There is published research on cranial osteopathy for colic and some other problems. A systematic review of evidence on craniosacral therapy, a few years ago, concluded that there were not yet any published studies leading to conclusive enough evidence.
Green C et al. A systematic review of craniosacral therapy: biological plausibility, assessment reliability and clinical effectiveness. Complementary Therapies in Medicine 1999 Dec 7(4):201-7.
Hayden C and Mullinger B. A preliminary assessment of the impact of cranial osteopathy for the relief of infantile colic. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice 2006 May 12(2):83-90.
See also Osteopathy,
under Recognised approaches.
