Cranial Osteopathy
Have you been carrying tension you just can't seem to shake? Or perhaps someone has suggested cranial osteopathy for your baby and you're wondering what it actually involves?
Cranial osteopathy is a gentle, hands-on treatment that uses very light touch to tune into the body's own natural rhythms and encourage it to release what it's holding on to. It doesn't involve any clicking or forceful manipulation. Instead, our osteopaths apply subtle, sustained holds to help the body find its way back to balance and ease. It can be used at any stage of life, from newborns through to older adults, and people often find it more deeply relaxing than they expected. If you're dealing with persistent headaches, jaw tension, sleep difficulties, stress, or postural strain, it may well be worth exploring. We also have a dedicated page on paediatric osteopathy if you're looking for cranial treatment for a baby or young child.
What Can Cranial Osteopathy Help With?
Cranial osteopathy can be relevant to a broader range of concerns than many people realise. Because it works with the whole body and nervous system rather than targeting one isolated area, its effects can be felt in places that might seem far removed from where the work is being done.
- Headaches and migraines: gentle release of tension in the cranial bones and surrounding membranes may help reduce frequency and intensity
- Jaw pain and TMJ dysfunction: the jaw and cranial bones are closely connected, making this a particularly well-suited treatment for tension and clicking in the jaw
- Stress and feeling run-down: the treatment encourages a deep parasympathetic response, helping to settle an overactive nervous system
- Sleep difficulties: releasing held tension throughout the body may help support calmer, more restful sleep
- Back, neck, and shoulder tension: subtle spinal work can ease long-held tightness and improve ease of movement
- Postural strain: helpful when the body has been compensating over time, after injury, pregnancy, or sustained physical stress
- With babies, feeding difficulties, and unsettled behaviour: birth can leave residual tension in a baby's skull and jaw; gentle treatment may ease discomfort and support feeding
- Post-injury recovery: the body sometimes holds on to the impact of trauma long after the physical healing process; cranial work may help encourage a fuller return to ease
Our Cranial Osteopaths
All of our cranial osteopaths are fully registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC), the statutory regulator for osteopathy in the UK. Registration is a legal requirement to practise and confirms that our practitioners have completed an accredited degree-level training and continue to meet rigorous standards of safety, conduct, and professional development. Our cranial practitioners have also undertaken specialist postgraduate training in cranial osteopathy on top of their core qualification.
Marta Vacca
Senior Osteopath M.Ost
Mollie Tappenden
Registered Osteopath M.Ost
Lilou Convert
Registered Osteopath M.Ost
Ready to book your appointment?
We offer a range of treatments to help you feel your best. Book online,
call us or visit our centre to schedule your appointment.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
- Wear something comfortable and loose-fitting; you'll remain fully clothed throughout the treatment
- Your appointment will start with a conversation about your health history and what's brought you in. If you're not sure how to describe what's going on, don't worry. We're used to working it out together.
- You'll lie on a treatment table while your osteopath uses a very light, gentle touch, typically beginning at the head, sacrum, or feet. There's nothing you need to do; just let yourself settle.
- Most people find it deeply relaxing. It's not unusual to drift off during the session, which is completely normal and often a sign the body is responding well.
- Afterwards you might feel a little spacey or tired as your body integrates what's happened. Try not to rush straight back into a hectic day if you can help it.
Pricing
Osteopathy First
Consultation
£90
Osteopathy Follow up
Treatment
£75
Your Questions Answered
How many sessions will I need?
It varies, and we'll always be honest with you about what we think is realistic. Some people notice a meaningful difference after just one or two sessions; others with more longstanding or layered issues benefit from a short course of treatment. Your osteopath will give you their genuine assessment after the first appointment and won't recommend more sessions than they believe are genuinely useful.
Is it safe for babies and very young children?
Yes, and cranial osteopathy is one of the gentlest therapies available for very young patients. The touch used is extremely light and is always adapted to the age and size of the individual. Many parents are pleasantly surprised by how calm and settled their babies are during and after a session. Our practitioners who work with babies and children have specialist experience in paediatric care. Please book Paediatric Osteopathy for babies and children.
What does it feel like? Will I feel much?
Very little, usually, in terms of physical pressure. Most people are aware of a gentle warmth, a subtle sense of movement, or a gradual feeling of something releasing. It's rarely, if ever, uncomfortable. If at any point something doesn't feel right, just say so and your osteopath will adjust accordingly.
How is cranial osteopathy different from regular osteopathy?
Both are practised by fully qualified osteopaths and both aim to support the body's structure and its natural ability to function well. The difference lies in the approach. Standard osteopathy often uses more direct techniques such as mobilisation, joint articulation, or deeper soft tissue work. Cranial osteopathy is subtler, using sustained holds and working with very fine body rhythms. Some of our osteopaths draw on both approaches within a single session, depending on what feels most appropriate for you.
Should I wait until it gets worse?
We hear this all the time: "It's not that bad yet, I'll see how it goes." The truth? Muscle and joint pain doesn't usually resolve the way a cut or bruise does. The longer compensation patterns continue, the harder they can be to correct. Early treatment often means: fewer sessions overall, faster recovery, lower risk of chronic issues, better long-term mobility. Prevention is always easier than cure.
Why Choose Brixton Therapy Centre?
- 7-day appointments
- Early morning and evening availability
- Emergency appointments when possible
- Phone support 7am-9pm
- Personalised exercise plans
- Confidential, detailed reports if needed
- Online booking, fast and secure
- Caring for the Brixton community since 1999
- Concessions for those on low income (call to ask)
- Concessions for NHS staff (call to ask)
Still Not Sure?
If you're in pain and wondering whether we can help, that's exactly why we're here. You don't need to know what the problem is. You don't need a referral. You just need to take the first step. Book online today or call 020 7733 9944 to speak to us.
Cranial
Osteopathy
A very gentle form of osteopathy that works with the body's own rhythms; suited to all ages
Paediatric
Osteopathy
Specialist osteopathic care for babies, children, and teenagers
Pregnancy
Osteopathy
Hands-on osteopathic support through pregnancy, helping to ease pelvic pain, lower back ache, and the physical strain
Osteopathy
Sports
Massage
Soft tissue work combined with osteopathic assessment, focused on performance, recovery, and keeping active bodies moving well
Shockwave
Therapy
A non-invasive option for stubborn tendon and soft tissue problems that haven't responded to other treatment
Dry
Needling
A targeted technique used by our osteopaths to release muscle trigger points and ease localised pain and tension