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Cranial Osteopathy originated from the work of osteopath William Sutherland in the early 1900’s. This gentle but powerful form of osteopathy uses the patient’s cranial rhythm for diagnosing and treating tensions and dysfunctions in the body. Unlike most physicians, cranial osteopaths believe that the skull is not a rigid structure, its bones move in a rhythmic manner throughout life. Cranial osteopaths focus on the pulsing of the fluid which nourishes and protects the membranes surrounding the brain, spinal cord and sacrum, this pulsing is called the Cranial Rhythm (or Primary Respiratory or Involuntary Mechanism), it is a movement of expansion and contraction of all the tissues of the body. Cranial osteopaths believe that any disturbances in the flow of this fluid will reflect pressures on the cranial bones or injuries or tensions in the body. Cranial osteopathy is a non-invasive therapy. Using light touch, practitioners assess the quality of the patients' Cranial Rhythm and compare it to what they consider to be a normal rhythm, they can then judge the state of the patient's body and how well it is functioning. During a session the practitioner will delicately manipulate the cranial and spinal bones in order to restore the cranial rhythm, boost blood circulation and drain lymph and sinus fluids in the head. While the practitioner holds the appropriate bones and gently manipulates tissues, the patient is asked to concentrate on releasing tension and breathing.
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