Gentle but immensely powerful cranial osteopathy

I knew absolutely nothing about cranial osteopathy before I had a bad accident. Caused by a young man's failure to comply with basic health and safety regulations, the outcome was a gigantic bruise on my forehead and two huge knees - one of which I subsequently discovered was broken.

With knees the size of melons, I was having difficulty in walking, it hurt when I sat down - it was worst at night in bed- and the only way I could work was to stand leaning forward over the computer. Driving, other than for very short distances, was well nigh impossible.

Two months later, the pain had spread all the way down my legs and into my back. A couple of Harley Street consultations were unhelpful, the prognosis pessimistic. Prior to the accident I walked for long distances regularly - but the suggestion was ‘acquire a couple of walking sticks' - and ‘take more anti-inflammatory medication'. What a very bleak outlook.

Then a friend tentatively suggested I consult a cranial osteopath. Not having a clue what the treatment involved - but associating ‘cranial' with my head, I pointed out the bruise on my forehead had recovered - so what's the point? Fortunately the friend succeeded in persuading me to give it a go- and as I couldn't drive the ten miles involved, she even gave me a lift in her car That's how I came to meet Murray Cole, a qualified osteopath who specialises in cranial osteopathy. I went for the first consultation in a somewhat sceptical frame of mind - after all, the orthopaedic specialist hadn't helped much - and he a Harley Street man too! After just a couple of visits, the swelling in my knees began to reduce. Two visits later, I began walking almost upright again. Years before I had suffered a broken pelvis as the result of a riding accident and Murray began treating the knock-on effects of that injury too.

My job is pressured and very stressful and I demonstrate ‘up-tight' in its direst form. Soon I began to notice that I was breathing more easily and that my body began to feel more complete, more whole - more ‘one'. Although the problems with my knees are sorted now, I continue to visit Murray every few weeks for the feeling of wellbeing the treatment endows and because it undoubtedly helps to relieve my long term insomnia problem.

Over the last few months I have learnt quite a lot about cranial osteopathy. It's a pity that so little is known about it because it is gentle and non-invasive and can benefit many, many people in all age groups. I discovered, for example, that Murray works a lot with babies. During birth, a baby's head is compressed and may even be twisted - and this can be magnified in the case of a complicated birth. Generally speaking, a baby's heads ‘unmoulds' in just a few days - but when it doesn't, the baby suffers considerable discomfort and then symptoms can include constant crying and sleeplessness. Murray also treats a lot of people who suffer sports injuries - or, like me, are victims of an accident. His advice is also sought by people who are going through a particularly stressful period in their lives and consequently suffering lethargy, sleeplessness and other unpleasant symptoms.

I only sought Murray Cole's help in desperation - and probably wouldn't have done so if the outlook had been less black. I am delighted I did - cranial osteopathy changed my life. Explained in my own non-scientific words, cranial osteopathy restores the body's balance and harmony.