Whilst any of the techniques in the osteopath’s toolbox may be used for children, the most effective, whilst being the most subtle and gentle of techniques are those working with the ‘primary respiratory mechanism’ (PRM) or ‘cranial’ osteopathy. William Garner Sutherland discovered in the 1890s that the bones of the head moved in a rhythmic, self-regulating manner. He linked it to the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, which is a colourless fluid that surrounds, supports and cushions the brain and the spinal cord.

Cranial techniques are very suitable for everyone, and particularly newborn babies, young children, pregnant women, women who have passed the menopause, people in a lot of pain and cannot be moved, immediately after surgery, people with complicated medical histories, the elderly and the terminally ill.

Some common conditions that can be helped are:

Bowel and bladder problems	Sinusitis	Photographs reproduced with kind permission of Holly Dawson.
Back and neck pain	Strains of muscles and ligaments
Reduced mobility	Asthma
Conditions caused by stress and nervous tension	Hyperactivity
Colic, hyperactivity, feeding and sleeping problems in babies	Cerebral palsy
Ear inflammations that are not infectious	Multiple sclerosis
Whiplash and head injuries	Fibromyalgia
Dental problems	Autism
Jaw pain	Dyslexia
Headaches	Chronic fatigue
Neuralgia	Visual disturbances