Cranial Osteopathy with Jon - One Treatment at a Time: My Journey Through Meadows Wellbeing
As part of Meadows Wellbeing’s One Treatment at a Time series, I’ve been exploring the therapies available at the clinic and learning more about how each one supports the body in its own unique way. This time, I experienced cranial osteopathy with Jon - a treatment I knew very little about before my session, but left with a completely new understanding.
Jon’s Journey into Osteopathy
Jon has been working as an osteopath for many years, and what stood out immediately was his calm, thoughtful approach and deep knowledge of the body and the system as a whole. Over time, and after finishing his degree this naturally led him towards cranial osteopathy, he started as an assistant lecturer and after became a teacher and lecturer for the Rollin E Becker Institute and continued to organise teachings in London for over 10 years.
Jon explained that Cranial osteopathy is a gentle, hands-on therapy within osteopathy that uses light touch to detect and correct subtle rhythmic movements and strains in the body, particularly the head and spine, to encourage relaxation and self-healing for a wide range of issues in all ages, including babies and adults. It requires a deep understanding of anatomy, movement and the nervous system.
What Is Cranial Osteopathy?
Before beginning the session, Jon took time to explain exactly what cranial osteopathy is and who it can help. Despite the name, it doesn’t just focus on the head. Cranial osteopathy works with the entire body, using very light touch to release restrictions, improve balance and support the nervous system.
One of the most interesting things I learned was that everything in the body is always moving. The skull is not a solid, fixed structure — the bones of the head gently move in rhythm with the rest of the body. Cranial osteopathy works with these natural movements, supporting areas where that motion may be restricted.
Cranial Osteopathy for Children and Babies
One of the biggest revelations for me was learning how widely cranial osteopathy can be used for children and babies. I hadn’t realised just how beneficial it can be in early life.
Jon explained that birth, even when everything goes smoothly, can be physically demanding for a baby. The pressure and movement involved can create tension or restrictions in the body. Cranial osteopathy can gently support babies as they adjust after birth, helping with issues related to birth trauma, feeding, sleep, and general comfort.
Hearing this completely changed my understanding of the treatment — it’s not just for managing pain, but for supporting the body at some of its most vulnerable stages.
What I Learned
What stayed with me most after the session was the idea that the body is never static. Everything is in motion, constantly adapting and responding. Cranial osteopathy doesn’t force change - it listens, supports and allows the body to find its own balance again.
It’s a treatment that feels both deeply physical and surprisingly subtle, and one that made me more aware of how interconnected everything truly is.
If you’re curious about cranial osteopathy, whether for yourself, your child, or even your baby, this is a treatment that’s well worth exploring.
