Brisbane Osteopathic Centre

Who we treat / overview

Our practitioners work in the Cranial Field of Osteopathy. This means we use very gentle balancing techniques - rather than heavy massage
or quick forceful movements.

However, our gentle approach is ideal for treating:


• Women’s health
Including: PMS, endometriosis, urinary tract infections, thrush, back pain associated with large breasts, scoliosis, low energy levels, swollen ankles and menopausal symptoms.

• Fertility, pregnancy and post-natal issues
Including: infertility, back pain, sciatica, morning sickness, breathing difficulties, fatigue, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, back and hip pain, incontinence, mastitis, postnatal depression.

• Babies
Including: sleep and feeding difficulties, reflux, colic, wind, digestion, teething issues, stiff or wry neck, misshapen heads and blocked tear ducts.

• Toddlers and children
Including: asthma, hyperactivity, recurrent cold and flu, ear infections, bed-wetting, headaches, changes associated with orthodontic work, Down’s syndrome.

• People with special needs
Including: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME), Cerebral Palsy, Down’s Syndrome, and Trigeminal Neuralgia, pre and post surgical treatment.

• The elderly
Including: digestive issues, aches and pains, arthritis, immunity issues, incontinence and more.


About / Cranial osteopathy

A bit of history…

American physician Dr Andrew Taylor Still first developed osteopathy in 1874 as an alternative to the predominately drug-based allopathic medicine.

Dr William Garner Sutherland developed the gentle but potent technique called ‘Osteopathy in the Cranial Field’ in 1898-1900 as a continuation of the osteopathic approach. This technique is what our practitioners at Brisbane Osteopathic Centre work with today.


The difference between cranial osteopathy and other approaches

All osteopaths use the same basic principles during treatment. The difference is in the type of treatment applied. Some other approaches include manipulation, massage, myofascial stretching and articulation techniques. Osteopathy in the Cranial Field uses very gentle balancing techniques rather than quick forceful movements.

Manual therapists such as chiropractors, physiotherapists and some osteopaths may use strong manipulation and massage (clicking techniques). At our practice we don’t use any of these techniques. We use very gentle methods, approaching the body as a holistic unit.


Why is Osteopathy in the Cranial Field so effective?

When you experience physical or emotional stress, the tissues in your body tighten. This tension disrupts what is called the ‘cranial rhythm’.

The cranial rhythm is a very subtle movement that is associated with respiration and is present in all body tissues. Cranial osteopaths are trained to feel this rhythm and work to release the tension. It is a gentle yet extremely powerful approach to solving specific health problems by taking the whole body into account.

The way we work is a painless way of naturally releasing stress and strain within the body.


What do our osteopaths look for?

Our osteopaths compare what your body’s rhythm is doing to what they consider is healthy. This shows them what tension is in your body - and even what tension it may be carrying as a result of its past history. Your body’s rhythm also gives an insight into the overall condition of your body - for example: if it is healthy, or stressed and tired.

Our osteopaths consider the function of each of your body's systems. If there is an aberration from normal this will show up as an area of tension or strain which can be felt by the osteopath. These are the areas which are then brought back into balance with the rest of the body.


Healing all your systems

When all of the systems of your body are able to function well and in unison, your body has the ability to self-correct - this is what the osteopath would refer to as homeostasis.

So all your systems - and how they function together - are considered by the osteopath during treatment. These systems are:
• musculoskeletal
• neurovascular
• immune
• digestive
• lymphatic
• hormonal


What is a treatment like?

Your practitioner will use subtle manipulation to these small rhythmic motions by cradling different parts of the body and using gentle pressure, but creating little movement. You remain fully clothed on the treatment table and no massage or forceful movements are applied. The experience is so relaxing that you may even fall asleep during the treatment.


How many treatments are usually needed?

We aim for you to be either symptom-free or able to manage the condition yourself. This usually involves three to six treatments

Acute conditions may require less treatment and chronic or older conditions may require ongoing management.


Osteopathy in the Cranial Field can be highly effective for many different complaints.

Common examples include:

Musculoskeletal System
• Headaches and jaw pain
• Migraines
• Back and neck pain
• Joint pain and arthritis
• disc injury, sciatica
Muscular, joint, tendon injury (including repetitive strain injury: RSI)
• Sinusitis
• Post-trauma injuries, including whiplash

Digestive System
• IBS
• Heartburn/reflux
• Indigestion, diarrhea and constipation

Nervous and Hormonal Systems
• Poor immune function
• Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME)
• Stress, low energy
• Asthma


Who we treat / overview

Our practitioners work in the Cranial Field of Osteopathy. This means we use very gentle balancing techniques - rather than heavy massage
or quick forceful movements.

However, our gentle approach is ideal for treating:


• Women’s health
Including: PMS, endometriosis, urinary tract infections, thrush, back pain associated with large breasts, scoliosis, low energy levels, swollen ankles and menopausal symptoms. More

• Fertility, pregnancy and post-natal issues
Including: infertility, back pain, sciatica, morning sickness, breathing difficulties, fatigue, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, back and hip pain, incontinence, mastitis, postnatal depression. More

• Babies
Including: sleep and feeding difficulties, reflux, colic, wind, digestion, teething issues, stiff or wry neck, misshapen heads and blocked tear ducts. More

• Toddlers and children
Including: asthma, hyperactivity, recurrent cold and flu, ear infections, bed-wetting, headaches, changes associated with orthodontic work, Down’s syndrome. More

• People with special needs
Including: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME), Cerebral Palsy, Down’s Syndrome, and Trigeminal Neuralgia, pre and post surgical treatment. More

• The elderly
Including: digestive issues, aches and pains, arthritis, immunity issues, incontinence and more.



Who we treat / women

Considering all that it does, the female body is a wonderfully efficient and highly creative system. However it is also very complex, often requiring special attention and support.

Here are some common health problems we work with:

• Pain and symptoms associated with PMS and the
menstrual cycle
• Pain and symptoms associated with endometriosis
• Urinary tract infections and thrush
• Back pain associated with large breasts
• Functional scoliosis
• Structural scoliosis
(decreasing the aches and pains, possibly slowing
the progression of the curve)
• Low energy levels
• Swollen ankles
• Incontinence and prolapse
• Assisting recovery after corrective surgery
• Menopausal symptoms


The treatment experience
As the treatment experience is very gentle, many women comment that a session with us has a ‘spa-like quality’.
They usually leave feeling much more relaxed, as well as having a powerful treatment to heal past and present health issues - and preventing future ones.



Who we treat / Fertility, pregnancy & post-natal


Our osteopathic therapists are trained to locate areas where there are restrictions or congestions causing disruption to fertility, problems during pregnancy and issues that arise during the post-natal period.

By applying gentle pressure on specific areas, they remove the stress on those organs and may improve their functioning.

Fertility, pregnancy and post-natal conditions we often treat include:

• Mastitis
• Back pain
• Infertility
• Pregnancy pain
• Back and hip pain
• Sciatica and other disc issues
• Morning sickness, nausea
• Heartburn and breathing difficulties
• Headaches
• Fatigue and dizziness
• Varicose veins
• Hemorrhoids
• Preparation for labour
• Post-partum pain (post-birth)
• Incontinence
• Postnatal depression



Who we treat / Babies & children

A baby or child in distress can affect the whole family. If not treated properly, the distress may go on for years. This suffering can be relieved as our paediatric-inclined osteopaths show time and time again.


Cranial osteopathy for babies

As a soothing, non-invasive therapy, cranial osteopathy is particularly successful with babies. Being so young, it is commonly assumed that babies have no structural stresses or strains in their bodies. In fact, the inverse is often true. The birth experience can leave many babies with overt or underlying pain. And the stress of it can cause colic, difficulty feeding, sleep problems and other issues.


Treatment experience for babies

Babies are usually comfortable lying on the treatment table as the osteopath works, applying light pressure specifically to areas where the body can release stress and tension. There are other positions your baby can be placed in for treatment as well (feeding position, etc.) Your practitioner may discuss these options with you.


Conditions for babies we commonly work with:

• Crying, screaming, irritability
• Sleep disturbances
• Feeding difficulties
• Reflux, colic, wind
• Constipation
• Teething
• Stiff or wry neck
• Flat spots, misshapen heads
• Blocked tear ducts


Cranial osteopathy for toddlers and children

It's never too early (or late) to treat a child with osteopathy – the younger the better.

Treatment experience for children

Like with babies, the process is very gentle and relaxing for children. Visit our website to watch a video showing a child being treated at our clinic for a cold.


Conditions for children we commonly work with:

• Recurrent ear infections
• Recurrent colds and flus
• Asthma
• Poor concentration, hyperactivity
• ADD/ADHD Disorders
• Auditory perception and language
• Bedwetting
• Knock knees and pigeon toes
• Headaches after orthodontic work
• Mouth breathing, dental issues
• Down’s syndrome
• Falls/Trauma i.e knocks to the head
• Fractures
• Concussion
• Persistent cough
• Headaches
• Severs, Osgood-schlatters and other growing pains

Is your child’s health issue missing from this list?
talk to us, we still may be able to treat it.
Contact us to find out more.

A child’s or baby’s reaction after treatment

Reactions to treatment depends on each case, but usually the baby or child is relaxed afterwards and sleeps well. Some may feel energetic after treatment, often followed by a good nights sleep. On the odd occasion, they are unsettled - but this usually clears within 24-48 hours.


Who we treat/special needs

Because our osteopaths practice in the cranial field, this form of gentle treatment works well for those with genetic disorders, chronic immunity issues and persistent problems associated with the nervous, hormonal and/or musculoskeletal systems.


Common conditions that we treat in this area include:

• Down’s Syndrome
• ADD/ADHD Disorders
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Cerebral Palsy
• Trigeminal Neuralgia
• Asthma
• Sinusitis
• Pre and post surgical care


Our approach is non-invasive. The osteopath cradles different parts of your body (e.g. head, back and sometimes feet), applying gentle pressure. Treatments generally require you to lie on the treatment table but other positions might be more comfortable for you.

As there is no massage or forceful manipulation involved, our clients with special needs generally find our treatments quite enjoyable and relaxing. Some even fall asleep at the table.

You remain fully clothed throughout the session, which makes the treatment process even easier and more comfortable.


Symptoms we treat may include:

• Muscular coordination issues
• Muscle tension and pain
• Headaches
• Back, neck and jaw pain
• Joint pain
• Immunity issues
• Digestive issues
• Breathing difficulties
• Concentration and sleeping difficulties
• Nerve-ending sensitivity
• Stress and fatigue
• Sinus congestion (in Down syndrome children)


Or visit our website at www.brisbaneosteopathic.com.au

Osteopaths available are:
Shane Day, Scott Baxter, Trent Sigley, Rebecca Reed-Baxter and Faye Kendall