Cranial osteopathy

Cranial osteopathy, although well-established, is arecognised as especially suitable for newborn babies
contested issue within the profession; it is not knownand young children, with particularly good results in
what proportion of osteopaths are practitioners.the treatment of colic and crying.[citation needed] It
Some medical insurance companies may notis claimed that as their bones have not fully fused
reimburse for 'cranial' treatment due to the lack ofand hardened, they are more susceptible to the
awareness of research in the field.treatment.[citation needed] All in all, this practice
Cranial osteopaths are trained to feel a very subtle,appears to be popular with patients with an increasing
rhythmic shape change that is present throughoutdemand for experienced practitioners.
the head and body. This is known as the involuntaryCraniosacral therapy is based on the same principles
mechanism or the cranial rhythm. The movement isbut the practitioners are not qualified osteopaths, and
said to be very subtle, and it takes practitioners withdo not have the same depth of training in the clinical
a very finely developed sense of touch (palpation) tosciences and differential diagnosis. Chiropractor &
feel it. This rhythm was first described in the earlyOsteopath, M.B. Dejarnette further developed
1900s by Dr. William G. Sutherland. The theorycraniopathic techniques inside of a complete
underlying cranial osteopathy is rejected by manyChiropractic system known as Sacro-Occipital
osteopaths and orthodox medical doctors because itTechnique or simply "S.O.T."[5][6]
was previously understood that cranial bones fuse byVisceral osteopathy
the end of adolescence. However, histological studiesProponents of visceral osteopathy state that the
have demonstrated the presence of Sharpey's fibresvisceral systems (the internal organs: digestive tract,
between the adjacent bones forming the suturalrespiratory system, etc.) rely on the interconnected
margins, and it is known that these specialised fibressynchronicity between the motion of all the organs
form only at areas where tissue movement isand structures of the body, that at optimal health
allowed. It is, of course, accepted by most modernthis harmonious relationship remains stable despite the
osteopaths working within the cranial field, that thebody's endless varieties of motion. The theory is that
spheno-basilar symphysis (a large joint in the skullboth somato-visceral and viscero-somatic connections
base) does indeed ossify (turn to bone) and theexist, and manipulation of the somatic system can
original principles of cranial osteopathy have thusaffect the visceral system (and vice-versa).
evolved alongside increasing knowledge. CranialVisceral osteopathy is said to relieve imbalances and
osteopathic teaching refers to movement remainingrestrictions in the interconnections between the
within the thin bone of the sutures, and that flexibilitymotion of all the organs and structures of the
within living bone occurs, in contrast to driedbody--namely, nerves, blood vessels, and fascial
specimen bones. The brain does pulsate, but somecompartments. During the 1940s, osteopaths like H.V.
research suggests this is related to the cardiovascularHoover and M.D. Young built on the pioneering work
system.[4] The same study looked at inter-operatorof Andrew Taylor Still to create this method of
reliability of palpating the 'cranial rhythm' and founddetailed assessment and highly specific manipulation.
there to be little agreement, although modernThe efficacy and basis of this treatment remains
understandings in the cranial field describe a numbercontroversial even within the osteopathic profession.
of simultaneous rhythms with differing rates, relatingVisceral manipulation was further promoted within
to different aspects of function.[citation needed]osteopathic treatment by Jean-Pierre Barral in his
How this mechanism is related to health/disease hasrecent series of books on the subject.
not been scientifically established. Some osteopathsWhile neither cranial osteopathy nor visceral
believe that healing dysfunctional cranial rhythmicmanipulation are the mainstay of most osteopathic
impulses enhances cerebral spinal fluid flow topractices, there is increasing interest in both of these
peripheral nerves, thereby enhancing metabolicareas from patients and practitioners alike. Training in
outflow and nutrition inflow. Many without directCranial osteopathy in the UK has now reached
experience of the benefits of treatment dismissvalidated MSc. Level, which aims to improve
cranial osteopathy as pseudo-science. However,standards and contribute to the body of evidence
patients of cranial osteopaths have reportedwith research-based studies carried out from within
emotional releases, lightness and buoyancy, andthe profession.
visualizations. This technique is increasingly being