What is cranial osteopathy
Cranial Osteopathy is a specialised diagnostic and treatment approach, rooted in the discoveries of American Osteopath Dr William Garner Sutherland in 1899, who observed that the various bones of the cranium (skull) fitted together in a way that permitted (very small) motion.
Subsequent study found that not only was motion present within the skull, but that slow rhythmic motions (independent of breathing and heart-rate) also existed elsewhere in the body. Nowadays "Cranial Osteopathy" is practiced all over the body, but the name remains, in homage to Sutherland's original discovery. This motion has known many names over the 100-odd years since, including Cranial Rhythmic Impulse, Inherent Motility, and Involuntary Motion, although today it is most commonly referred to as the Primary Respiratory Mechanism (PRM).
The PRM consists of very slow motion. The slowest regularly observed rhythm has a cycle of approximately 100 seconds. Motion present includes Traube Herring Mayer (THM) vasomotor waves and independent metabolic motion. Cranial osteopaths diagnose and treat various characteristics of the motion observed using a finely-tuned sense of touch. Not all osteopaths are trained in Cranial Osteopathy and it takes many years to become skilled. This treatment approach is gentle and very appropriate for babies, children as well as adults.
Last updated: December 11, 2009