Cranial osteopathy can be very useful for adults as well as children.
Overall mobility is reducing throughout adulthood, both in the limbs and spine, and more extensively in the head (cranium). Despite the finding that the gaps between the many cranial bones (sutures) can tend to close over or fuse as we age, osteopaths believe tiny amounts of movement are preserved due to the slight flexibility of living bone.
Because of this gradual reduction in cranial movement we believe that headaches can become more likely or more severe and persistent symptoms after a head injury may be more likely.
A full case history of symptoms and medical history is taken. The osteopath will often be surprisingly interested in injuries that happened a long time ago; even birth trauma can be relevant at any age.
If appropriate, the examination commences and includes much of the mobility and postural assessment and observation that is common to any osteopathic assessment. What is different is the use of light touch, which feels like being cradled in the hands to identify areas of tightness in the body and in particular the head.
Treatment consists of a similarly light but more directed touch to begin to restore motion where possible.
After treatment adults may initially feel a little ‘light headed’. It is very rarely a problem as long as they are warned that it may happen. Another common reaction is to be slightly more sleepy afterwards and that same night. Again this is rarely a problem as long as patients are warned.
In adults the response to treatment is slower and more treatments may be required than in children. The osteopath will try to give some idea of how many treatments it is reasonable to try and agree to review the situation at the end of the course of treatment.