What is Cranial Osteopathy?
Many ailments can be traced back to head injuries. Forceps / Vonteuse delivery, car accidents and sporting injuries are just some examples which can leave the bones (especially cranial bones) in misalignment or tension. Cranial osteopathy or work with the "Involuntary Mechanism" (also called "Primary Respiratory Mechanism") is a system of fine, subtle movement, balancing forces and supporting body tissues, designed to release inner cranial tensions, realign bones and balance neuro-muscular complexities.
The definition of the Primary Respiratory Mechanism (PRM):
- Primary: it is a system that comes "first". It underlies all of life's processes and gives dynamism, form, and substance to all of anatomy and physiology.
- Respiratory: It is the spark that gives rise to the breath, as it moves through the tissues. It is the foundation of metabolism. It has both an inhalation and exhalation phase.
- Mechanism: It is a system composed of many parts that work together to create a whole, greater than the sum of the parts.
The beauty of primary respiration, is the ability to experience it directly. It is not simply a sublime concept. In the hands of a skilled practitioner, one connects directly with primary respiration to bring about a therapeutic response. It is the guiding principle; it is the inherent intelligence within.