Cranial Osteopathy
Hackney, East London

Cranial osteopathy London

Cranial osteopathy can help you
get back to living the life you love

Cranial Osteopathy London banner

Cranial osteopathy can help you
get back to living the life you love

Sometimes our bodies don’t behave how they’re supposed to. As an experienced cranial osteopath, I can help you get back into balance. I’ve been practising cranial osteopathy since 2004 and teaching with the Sutherland Cranial College of Osteopathy since 2015. I offer cranial osteopathy in London for adults, babies, children and women during pregnancy and postpartum. Here’s what you can expect:

Expert insight

I will look beyond your symptoms to see the bigger picture and dig deeper to find the root of the problem.

Personalised care

I will listen to your story to understand what’s really important to you and work with you to make a plan that’s right for you. 

The human touch

I will help you let go of the tension you no longer need and support you to regain your natural state of balance.

What is a cranial osteopath?

Cranial osteopathy is a gentle form of treatment that promotes health through therapeutic touch. It was developed in the 1930s by William Garner Sutherland, an American osteopath. Sutherland developed his approach as a method of treating the bones of the skull. However, the principles and techniques he discovered can be applied to any part of the body.

Sutherland understood that every structure in the body expresses many kinds of involuntary motion. For example, the whole body responds rhythmically to the changes as we breathe and our bodies are continuously adjusting and maintaining our posture. When things are working well, this involuntary motion is in harmony. But often, as we respond to life’s challenges, the adaptations can lead to imbalance.

Cranial osteopaths learn to ‘tune in’ to involuntary motion. By synchronising with different aspects, they can assess how things are working and support them to rebalance. As it is so gentle, cranial osteopathy is the manual therapy treatment of choice for vulnerable groups like babies, young children and older adults. However, many people of all ages prefer its subtle, relaxing approach.

How does cranial osteopathy work?

Much of the tension we experience in everyday life comes from the adaptations our bodies have made to things that have happened to us in the past. For example, accidents, illnesses and injuries often leave us with unresolved stresses and strains.

Our bodies have an amazing ability to compensate and many issues will resolve on their own in time. But, as the tension mounts up, it can start to compromise our capacity for self-maintenance and repair. Back pain, migraine and many other symptoms can be a sign your body is struggling.

Cranial osteopaths are experts at identifying the unresolved adaptations underlying these problems. They can help you let go of tension and support your body to find its way back into balance. This can make things more comfortable and prevent problems later on.

It does feel weird to be treated in such a non-invasive, gentle and comprehensive way. It’s weird not to feel the manipulation as it happens. But it’s wonderful to realize the problems go away little by little.

Antonella Montressori

What do cranial osteopaths do?

Cranial osteopaths apply a modern scientific understanding of anatomy, physiology and psychology to the use of therapeutic touch. They use their hands to identify areas of tension or imbalance in the body and try to make sense of where it’s come from, what impact it’s having and what kind of support it needs to resolve. During the treatment, they will hold different parts of your body to support them to rebalance. The treatment is very gentle and most people find it deeply relaxing.

What conditions can cranial osteopathy help with?

Osteopathy is a patient-centred rather than disease-centred approach. This means that osteopaths focus on the tension and imbalances that are compromising the body’s capacity for self-maintenance and repair, rather than the medical condition per se. As a result, osteopathy can help your body to respond more effectively, whatever challenges you may be facing with your health.

People commonly seek support with a wide range of health concerns, including:

Headaches & migraine prevention
Neck pain, back pain & sciatica
Sports injuries and other joint pain
Digestive problems
Circulatory problems
Fibromyalgia
Inability to relax

Why choose a cranial osteopath?

Osteopathy is a complete system of manual medicine with its own distinctive way of looking at things. Unlike craniosacral therapists and other alternative practitioners, osteopaths are highly qualified, NHS recognised Allied Health Professionals with their own government appointed regulator, the General Osteopathic Council. They are trained to diagnose and treat independently and know when to refer you to your GP or other specialists. 93% of patients rate their experience of osteopathy as ‘very good’ and 96% have confidence in their osteopath’s treatment and advice.

Many UK osteopaths use cranial techniques as part of their practice. However, cranial osteopathy is a highly specialised approach that requires an in-depth knowledge of anatomy, physiology and body psychology. It takes years of practice to develop the sensitivity to synchronise with all aspects of involuntary motion and the expertise needed to manage more complex cases. Choosing an experienced cranial osteopath with advanced specialist training will give you confidence you are in safe hands.

Ben Katz, Cranial Osteopath

Ben Katz

BOst, MSc, PgCert, FSCCO, FHEA

I believe that osteopathy can make a meaningful difference to people of all ages, whatever challenges they face with their health. I’ve been practising cranial osteopathy in London since 2004 and I enjoy working with people from all walks of life.

As a faculty member of the Sutherland Cranial College of Osteopathy, I teach osteopaths who are training in the cranial approach. In addition to the SCCO’s ten module training pathway, I completed James Jealous’ renowned nine year Biodynamics of Osteopathy programme in 2021.

Between 2004 and 2013, I studied, worked and taught at the Osteopathic Centre for Children. The OCC is an international centre of excellence for children’s osteopathy and I completed my MSc in Paediatric Osteopathy in 2006. I recently rejoined the OCC to run its osteopathy service in the neonatal intensive care unit at Barnet Hospital.

Giving something back has always been important to me. I am a former President of the Institute of Osteopathy and served as Secretary for the Osteopathic Alliance. On behalf of the Osteopathic Development Group, I led development of guidance for osteopaths who work with children.

Ben Katz, Cranial Osteopath – GOsC Registration Mark

The Clinic

I practise from Osteopathy East, a modern, purpose-built osteopathic clinic on Mare Street in Hackney, E8. The clinic is fully wheelchair accessible with step-free access from the street.

Osteopathy East is located mid-way between Victoria Park and Broadway Market, a few minutes walk from London Fields and Cambridge Heath stations. It is easily accessible by bus from Bethnal Green, Old Street and Hackney Central with great transport links to the rest of London.

Book online

If you’re ready to start your journey with cranial osteopathy, you can check my availability and book online.

Free telephone consultation

If you’re still not sure if osteopathy is right for you, schedule a free telephone consultation via the booking link above and I’ll be happy to answer your questions.

Services

I off cranial osteopathy in London for:

Adults
Babies
Children
Pregnancy & postpartum

Fees

First appointment

60 min initial assessment and treatment
£100

Follow-up

45 min treatment session for existing patients
£80

New patient
package

60 min initial assessment and treatment
+ two 45 min follow-ups
£230

Returning patient package

Three 45 minute treatment sessions for existing patients
£210

Concessions

I believe that high quality osteopathic care should be accessible to everyone who needs it. I’m happy to offer fee reductions for students, pensioners and people on benefits, as well as anyone else whose situation justifies it.

If you feel you will struggle to fund your treatment, book a free telephone consultation so we can discuss it.