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What is Osteopathy?Osteopathy is a science and system of healing that uses physical techniques to remove tension and restrictions in the body to encourage structural and physiological harmony. Whether it be working on joints and muscles to improve blood flow and regulate nerve supply or the cranial approach that uses gentle releasing techniques (particularly suited to children or elderly patients) osteopathy works on many different levels with the aim of rebalancing the body's structures, aiding its function and improving general well being. Osteopathic treatment is aimed not only at the relief of symptoms but also towards helping the body function better in all respects. Cranial Osteopathy is a refined treatment that uses very gentle pressure to encourage the release of stresses throughout the body, including, but not exclusively, the head. Cranial Osteopaths are trained to feel involuntary motion which is a very subtle, rhythmical shape change that is present in all body tissues. Impacts to the body or head can block or disrupt this movement which can lead to a wide variety of problems both in the head and elsewhere in the body. Using involuntary motions in tissues, osteopaths can feel whether a person is in an optimum state of health, or whether there is something preventing healthy movement of the tissues from occurring. Babies have a small amount of movement in their skulls, which is essential for the birth process. Sometimes the infant head does not fully recover from the distortion and this can cause colic, feeding and hearing difficulties and disturbed sleep. Cranial osteopathy is used to help these conditions. This means that osteopathic treatment methods can vary according to the particular circumstances and individual patient needs, ranging from the well known high velocity thrust with its dramatic clicks, through the subtle stretching and manipulation of joints and muscles, to the very gentle cranial techniques.
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