Cranial osteopathy –
all in the head?

The evening after Birthe had done her infinitely gentle manipulations, I went through the routine and put Tolly in his crib. I went downstairs, having turned
on the baby monitor, expecting to go back up shortly. Minutes stretched to half an hour. I crept upstairs. Tolly was fast asleep in his crib. I went down, and for the first time in weeks, made supper uninterrupted. I had to wake him for a feed at 11pm. It has been the same ever since. The children still watch television with the captions on. It is strangely addictive.

Tolly’s treatment

Tolly’s chest was slightly constricted, possibly because he had the cord around his neck at birth. Birthe worked on this and Tolly has had no chest problems so far. My other son Archie, nine, who also had the cord around his neck and was born in a fast and uncontrolled way,
had endless chest problems in the first months of life. How I wish I had known about cranial osteopathy then.
Nine years ago, it was just starting out. Now queues of anxious parents form wherever a registered practitioner sets up. The treatment is soothing and peaceful. I found myself talking about all kinds of childcare issues, and Birthe was full of useful advice and reassurance.

It is very important to choose a properly qualified practitioner

It is now illegal to practice as an osteopath without training and registration. Our first appointment lasted an hour and 20 minutes and cost £35; the second visit took 40 minutes at a cost of £25. This was enough to settle Tolly but other babies might need more treatments.

Birthe H. Pickwoad,
Registered Osteopath,
30 Brackenbury Road, London W6 0BA
Tel 0208 741 9264

For more information contact:

• The British Osteopathic Association
• The Sutherland Society –– the largest UK organisation for cranial osteopaths also has a contact list.