Cranial Osteopathy in Brighton & Hove
Cranial Osteopathy at the Tree of Life Centre
A gentle, expert approach to osteopathic care…
Tree of Life Centre is home to one of the most experienced cranial osteopathy teams in Brighton & Hove. Our specialists offer this gentle, highly effective therapy to patients of all ages — from newborns through to the elderly — with particular expertise in babies, children, pregnancy, and postnatal care.
Cranial osteopathy is a highly specialised, gentle and safe form of osteopathy. Despite its name, treatment isn’t limited to the head: your osteopath may work with the whole body, using subtle techniques to encourage easier movement, reduce tension and support the body’s natural ability to adapt and recover.
It works with subtle movements throughout the body — including the cranium, sacrum and surrounding tissues — to support structural balance, nervous system regulation, and the body’s own capacity to restore wellbeing. Your osteopath will always consider your individual symptoms, history and needs, and may combine cranial techniques with other forms of osteopathic treatment where appropriate.
Please scroll down to meet our osteopaths, and discover how cranial osteopathy can help…
Fees
- Initial consultation (1 hour): £75 — includes full assessment and treatment
- Follow-up consultation (up to 45 minutes): £65
- Mum & Baby appointment (both receive treatment): £98 for 90 minutes
Prices and appointment durations may vary slightly between individual practitioners. Please refer to each practitioner’s profile page for their specific fees.
Meet the cranial osteopathy team
What is cranial osteopathy?
Cranial osteopathy is a refined and highly specialised form of osteopathic treatment that looks at the body as a whole. At the heart of the approach is the craniosacral mechanism, a very gentle rhythmic motion that practitioners are trained to feel through light touch. Cranial osteopaths work with the body’s many layers – nervous system, fascia, connective tissues, fluid and circulatory systems – while addressing patterns of tension and restriction that may remain after injury or prolonged stress.
By working with these different layers, treatment aims to release restriction, restore ease and support the body’s natural ability to rebalance. Although the touch is light, many people find cranial osteopathy profound in its impact and deeply relaxing, particularly those who are sensitive, experiencing stress, tension or an overactive nervous system.
In the UK, cranial osteopathy is practised by fully qualified, GOsC-registered osteopaths who have undertaken additional postgraduate training in this specialist approach after their undergraduate 4-5 year degree.
Cranial osteopathy for adults
Adults of all ages benefit from cranial osteopathy. Our practitioners in Brighton & Hove work with a wide range of conditions, including:
- Headaches and migraines — including tension headaches, cervicogenic headaches, and post-concussion symptoms
- TMJ disorders — jaw pain, clicking, and teeth grinding
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Back pain and postural issues
- Musculoskeletal pain and injuries
- Digestive and gastrointestinal concerns
- Stress, anxiety and sleep difficulties
- Fatigue and nervous system dysregulation
- Recovery after trauma, injury or surgery
- Women’s health issues
Cranial osteopathy supports not only structural health but also nervous system regulation — helping the body and nervous system settle, restore balance, and function optimally. Many patients find it deeply restorative beyond the specific condition that brought them in.
Specialist cranial osteopathy for babies & children
Our Tree of Life cranial osteopathy team includes specialist paediatric osteopaths who work with babies and young children — one of the most common reasons families in Brighton & Hove seek cranial osteopathy.
During late pregnancy and the process of birth, babies can experience significant physical forces on their heads, necks and bodies. Even straightforward births involve considerable compression and moulding of the infant’s skull. Where this strain is not fully resolved naturally, it can contribute to a range of issues in the early weeks and months.
Cranial osteopathy for babies aims to:
- Calm and regulate the nervous system
- Support normal digestive and physiological function
- Release compressions or tensions that may contribute to colic, feeding difficulties, or unsettled behaviour
- Address discomfort from forceps, ventouse or caesarean delivery
- Support developmental progress
All of our paediatric specialists have completed extensive additional training beyond the standard five-year osteopathy degree, including some of the region’s only practitioners with a postgraduate qualification from the Osteopathic Centre for Children in London. Their combined decades of experience make Tree of Life Centre one of the leading centres for baby and infant cranial osteopathy in Brighton & Hove.
Cranial osteopathy in pregnancy & postnatal care
Cranial osteopathy offers a gentle and effective way to ease the physical demands of pregnancy and support recovery after birth. It is safe throughout all trimesters and particularly beneficial for:
- Lower back pain, pelvic girdle pain (PGP/SPD) and sciatica during pregnancy
- Pubic symphysis discomfort
- Rib pain and thoracic discomfort as the body adapts to the growing baby
- Heartburn and digestive discomfort
- Muscle tension and postural strain
- General structural recovery and realignment after childbirth
- Support following caesarean section or assisted delivery
We also offer a Mum & Baby appointment, where both mother and baby receive treatment in the same 90-minute session — a popular option in the early weeks postnatally.
Not sure what is the best service or team member for you? Feel free to get in touch for guidance and advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is cranial osteopathy and how does it work?
Cranial osteopathy is a very gentle, subtle form of osteopathic treatment. Practitioners are trained to feel a subtle rhythmic movement — called the craniosacral rhythm — that is present throughout the body’s tissues. Clinical research has objectively measured a distinct, slow rhythmic movement of the human head, occurring at a frequency matching the cranial rhythm traditionally described in osteopathy. By working with light touch to detect and address areas of restriction or imbalance, they aim to restore balance, ease tension, and support the nervous system and body’s own healing processes. There is no manipulation or clicking involved — it is one of the gentlest forms of hands-on therapy available.
Is cranial osteopathy safe for babies?
Yes — cranial osteopathy is extremely gentle and is widely used for newborns, infants and young children. The techniques used are specifically adapted for babies and involve only the lightest touch. Our paediatric specialists at Tree of Life Centre in Hove have extensive postgraduate training in infant and child cranial osteopathy, and decades of experience. Many families in Brighton & Hove bring their babies within the first few weeks of life.
How soon after birth can a baby have cranial osteopathy?
Babies can be seen from the very first days of life. Many parents bring their newborns in within the first two to four weeks, particularly if there were any difficulties during labour or birth, or if the baby is showing signs of discomfort, feeding challenges, or unsettled behaviour. There is no minimum age requirement.
What conditions in babies can cranial osteopathy help with?
Cranial osteopathy is commonly used to support babies with colic and excessive crying, feeding difficulties including problems latching, wind and digestive discomfort, unsettled or restless behaviour, sleep difficulties, a preference for turning the head to one side (torticollis), and strains from forceps, ventouse or caesarean delivery. We are grateful to have a growing number of midwives in Brighton and Hove who refer mothers and their babies to us. Our practitioners will always carry out a full assessment before treatment and discuss their findings with you.
What does a cranial osteopathy session feel like?
Most patients describe cranial osteopathy as deeply relaxing. Clients lie down, fully clothes, on a comfortable pillow and with a blanket if desired. The practitioner uses very light touch — often with their hands resting gently on the head, sacrum or other areas of the body. You may feel warmth, gentle pulsing, or a sense of the tissues softening and releasing. Many people fall asleep during treatment. Babies often become calm and settled during sessions.
How many sessions of cranial osteopathy will I need?
This varies depending on the presenting condition and the individual. For babies, many parents notice significant improvement within two to four sessions. For adults with chronic or complex conditions, a longer course may be appropriate. Your practitioner will give you a realistic indication at your first appointment and review progress as treatment continues.
Can cranial osteopathy help with headaches and migraines?
Yes — headaches and migraines are one of the most common conditions treated with cranial osteopathy in adults. This includes tension headaches, cervicogenic headaches (originating from the neck), migraines, and post-concussion headaches. By addressing restrictions in the cranial, cervical and thoracic regions and supporting nervous system regulation, cranial osteopathy can significantly reduce both the frequency and severity of headaches for many patients.
Is cranial osteopathy safe in pregnancy?
Yes. Cranial osteopathy is one of the safest forms of treatment available during pregnancy and is appropriate throughout all three trimesters. It can be particularly helpful for back pain, pelvic girdle pain (PGP/SPD), rib pain, heartburn, sciatica and general postural discomfort. Our practitioners are experienced in adapting treatment positions and techniques for pregnant women.
What is a Mum & Baby appointment?
Our Mum & Baby appointment is a 90-minute session in which both mother and baby receive cranial osteopathy treatment. It costs £98 and is a popular option in the weeks following birth — allowing both mum and baby to be assessed and treated together, which is often much more practical in the early postnatal period.
What is the difference between cranial osteopathy and craniosacral therapy?
This is a common question. Craniosacral therapy (CST) is practised by therapists who have typically completed a shorter standalone training programme. Cranial osteopathy is practised exclusively by GOsC-registered osteopaths who have completed a full four or five-year osteopathic degree, followed by additional postgraduate training in cranial techniques. Our practitioners are all fully qualified, regulated osteopaths — which means their diagnosis and treatment draws on a comprehensive clinical and anatomical foundation.
Where is Tree of Life Centre’s cranial osteopathy clinic in Brighton & Hove?
We are located at 143–145 Portland Road, Hove, BN3 5QJ — easily accessible from across Brighton & Hove by bus or car, with street parking available nearby. To book an appointment or ask any questions, call us on 01273 220159 or email info@tolcentre.com.
Do I need a GP referral for cranial osteopathy?
No. You can book directly with our cranial osteopathy team without a GP referral. If your practitioner believes onward referral or investigation is appropriate, they will advise you during your appointment.
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