What to expect / What does treatment feel like?
A typical assessment and treatment will involve a full medical case history, careful examination both standing and lying and some hands on work generally whilst lying comfortably on the couch. This is usually performed in loose clothing but occasionally it is necessary to examine in the underwear. Every effort is made to make the patient comfortable in every way while this is going on.

Most of the work Chris does uses cranial techniques, although not exclusively. If there are no contraindications then sometimes specific bony manipulations are indicated. However if patients specify that they want to be treated without this type of work then their wishes will always be accommodated. Also Chris graduated from the West London School of Therapeutic Massage in 1988, so soft tissues techniques are sometimes gainfully employed. Treatment itself is always gentle and completely safe.

The most common observations by patients about Cranial Osteopathy is that at first it seems too gentle to be doing anything. The practitioner’s hands mostly take various gentle holds around the head and under the sacrum although other contacts are used from time to time. There is then often a period of apparent stillness that can last for several minutes at a time. People sometimes experience heat, pins and needles and other usually pleasant changes in their body during a session. Often there is a sense of tension being drawn out of the body and at the end a profound sense of relaxation is achieved. Most enjoy the experience and intuitively are aware that their bodies have been helped even if they are unsure initially as to specifically how. Changes most commonly make themselves obvious after one to two days. Sometimes this period will include a temporary worsening of symptoms but this is usually followed by noticeable improvement.

Chris is happy to answer any questions about treatment by phone or email.