Cranial osteopathy for babies Hackney, East London.

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Book with Ben

Your baby can't tell you what they're going through — but I've learned to listen with my hands.

Ben Katz, osteopath

I'm an experienced cranial osteopath with an MSc in Paediatric Osteopathy and over twenty years of clinical experience with babies. I've been working with newborns and infants in London since 2004.

  • 20+ years in practice
  • MSc in Paediatric Osteopathy
  • NHS NICU experience
  • OCC Paediatric educator

What does cranial osteopathy for infants involve?

Cranial osteopathy is one of the gentlest forms of manual therapy available, making it safe for babies from birth. Here's what I offer:

  • Expert insight

    I will help you make sense of your baby's symptoms and dig deeper to find the root of the problem.

  • Personalised care

    I will listen to your story to understand what your baby has been through and work with you to figure out what they need.

  • The human touch

    I will gently support your baby and help them to remember what it feels like to relax.

Ben is an exceptionally skilful and caring osteopath and I highly recommend him.

Dawn Thein

What can a baby osteopath help with?

Osteopathy is a holistic, person-centred approach that focuses on promoting health rather than treating named conditions.

Andrew Taylor Still, founder of osteopathy

"To find health should be the object of the doctor.
Anyone can find disease."

Andrew Taylor Still
Founder of Osteopathy

Many of the concerns parents come with are a normal part of adjusting to life outside the womb but the tension babies carry can sometimes make this more difficult than is necessary. Most of the babies I see are uncomfortable in some way. Osteopathy won't solve all of their problems — but helping them to relax can often make a profound difference to their wellbeing.

How do I know if my baby will benefit from seeing an osteopath?

For many of the issues babies struggle with, the associated tension can sometimes cause additional discomfort that makes the problem more difficult to bear. Here are some of the things you can look out for:

Muscular tension

Just like adults, many babies carry more tension in their bodies than they need. There are a range of possible reasons for this — some of which are outside the scope of osteopathy — but the tension itself is something I can often help with. If your baby seems tense, it may be worth bringing them for an assessment.

Restricted movement

Restricted movement in the spine or other joints is another common finding in infants. I assess this in every baby, as it can contribute to a range of other issues and occasionally requires investigation by their GP. If you think your baby could be moving more freely, this may be something I can help with.

Postural issues

Whilst asymmetry and postural imbalance can occasionally indicate something more serious, most of the time they reflect the kind of minor musculoskeletal issues that osteopathy can help with. If you think your baby may benefit, I'd be happy to explore it with you.

How an osteopath can help

I use gentle osteopathic techniques to address any muscle tension or restricted movement, alongside individually tailored exercises and advice on strategies you can use at home.

Following the birth of my son, Ben has treated him a few times. I've been very impressed with his knowledge and professionalism and would highly recommend him.

Mille Holst

What do osteopaths do for babies?

The foundation is compassion

It's a great privilege to work with babies. Their vulnerability and helplessness demand a level of care that brings out in us the kindness and compassion on which they depend. This is always the foundation from which I work.

Listening to your story

If you bring your baby to see me, I will make time for you to tell your story so I can fully appreciate what your baby has been through and what led you to seek my help.

Observing your baby's movement and posture

I'll pay careful attention to how your baby holds themselves. I'll assess their posture in different positions and gently check how freely their body moves. This can give me important clues about how they feel and any tension they might be holding.

Identifying the cause of your baby's discomfort

I will use my hands to gently assess where your baby is holding tension, what impact it's having and what kind of support it needs to resolve. If indicated, I may also use standard clinical tests like listening to their chest, or looking in their ears.

Helping you to make sense of your baby's challenges

There are many reasons why an infant may be uncomfortable. I'll use my clinical knowledge and experience to help you understand what your baby is going through and figure out what kind of support they need.

Helping your baby to let go

The aim of treatment is help your baby to be more comfortable. I'll gently support their body so the parts that are tense can begin to let go and they can remember what it feels like to relax.

Empowering you to take an active role in your baby's health

Alongside the treatment, I will provide individually tailored advice on exercises or strategies you can use at home. If there's something that requires further investigation or another kind of treatment, I may recommend that you see another health professional or discuss it with your GP.

A gentle approach

The techniques I use involve less force than you would normally use when getting your baby dressed or giving them a bath. Parents are often surprised how much of a difference this can make.

My children come out of the sessions much more comfortable, calm and relaxed.

Mylene Sylvestre

What is cranial osteopathy?

Cranial osteopathy is a non-invasive form of assessment and treatment that uses therapeutic touch to help babies to be more comfortable — without the need for strong manipulation. It is a safe, evidence-informed practice that is particularly suitable for newborns and infants because it is such a gentle approach. Despite the name, the principles and techniques can be applied to the whole body.

What does cranial osteopathy involve?

Cranial treatment is very gentle and most babies seem to find it relaxing. Cranial osteopaths gently hold different parts of the body to identify tension and help it to release. The details of what that involves can be as complex as the human body, but the underlying principle is incredibly simple.

How does cranial treatment work?

Cranial techniques aim to harness the body's natural tendency to relax when held in a supportive way. This is a lot like what you already do when you try to comfort your baby. The main difference is that my professional knowledge and experience allow me to do this in a more targeted way.

Is cranial osteopathy effective for babies?

Many parents report positive experiences with cranial osteopathy and I frequently receive referrals from midwives and feeding specialists who have noted neck tension or restricted movement. A large randomised controlled trial of osteopathic treatment on preterm babies found that it significantly reduced their length of stay in hospital, suggesting a positive impact on general wellbeing. However, the evidence base remains limited overall, partly due to the fact that it is not possible to fully blind participants to whether they are receiving the treatment, which is a common challenge for manual therapy research.

More about how I work

Ben uses very gentle touch. My son seems to enjoy the sessions as he is always very relaxed afterwards.

Anina Thiel
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Ben Katz

BOst, MSc, PgCert, FSCCO, FHEA

Ben Katz, osteopath

It always amazes me how ready babies are to change.

I am a Senior Osteopath and educator at the Osteopathic Centre for Children, an international centre of excellence for paediatric osteopathy. Having started my training at the OCC in 2004, directly after qualifying, I have extensive experience working with newborns and infants. The OCC's outreach programme for premature babies was a key factor in my decision to choose a career in paediatrics and I spent six months working in the Starlight Neonatal Unit at Barnet Hospital in 2022.

As a faculty member at the Sutherland Cranial College of Osteopathy, I work with osteopaths who are training to specialise in cranial osteopathy. I am also a tutor at the annual Biobasics event in the UK, which introduces osteopaths to James Jealous' renowned nine year Biodynamics of Osteopathy programme, which I completed in 2021.

Giving something back to my profession has always been a passion. I am a former President of the Institute of Osteopathy and served as Secretary for the Osteopathic Alliance from its inception. On behalf of the Osteopathic Development Group, I led a multi-stakeholder project to develop guidance for osteopaths who work with children and young people, which was published in 2020.

Frequently asked questions

Is cranial osteopathy safe for babies and newborns?
Every osteopath in the UK is registered with the General Osteopathic Council, the government appointed regulator that sets the standards for safety and quality in clinical practice. However, babies are very different from adults and specific knowledge and skills are needed to assess and treat them safely. Choosing an experienced cranial osteopath who has completed specialist clinical training in working with infants and children will give you the confidence your baby is in safe hands. I have an MSc in Paediatric Osteopathy and I'm a Senior Osteopath and faculty member at the Osteopathic Centre for Children.
What does a baby osteopath actually do in a session?
A paediatric osteopath will listen to your story so they can fully appreciate your baby's history and any concerns. They'll assess your baby's posture and movement to identify any tension. Then they'll explain what they've found so you understand how they can help. They will offer gentle treatment to help your baby to be more comfortable and give you individually tailored exercises and advice to enable you to support your baby more effectively at home.
How does a paediatric osteopath know what's wrong if a baby can't speak?
Paediatric osteopaths use a comprehensive case history and examination to understand what a baby is struggling with and identify the cause. They use their hands to gently listen to the body and any other clinical tests that might be indicated. Drawing on their detailed knowledge of babies' anatomy and physiology, and their familiarity with the common issues babies face, this will usually enable them to identify what's going on. If there's any uncertainty or they think some other form of investigation or treatment is needed, they'll let you know.
What kind of things might cranial osteopathy help with for my baby?
Osteopathic treatment focuses on muscular tension, restricted movement and postural issues. For many of the things babies commonly struggle with, the associated tension often causes additional discomfort that makes the problem more difficult to bear. Osteopathy won't solve all of their problems — but helping them to relax can often make a profound difference to their wellbeing.
Does cranial osteopathy work for babies?
Many parents report positive experiences and I regularly receive referrals from midwives and feeding specialists. A large randomised controlled trial on preterm babies found osteopathic treatment significantly reduced their length of stay in hospital. The evidence base more broadly remains limited.
What's the difference between cranial osteopathy and craniosacral therapy?
Craniosacral therapists and cranial osteopaths use a similar treatment approach. The main difference is the training and regulatory frameworks that govern their practice. Osteopaths have a statutorily appointed regulator and must complete a minimum of 1000 hours of supervised clinical practice during their 3–4 year long undergraduate degrees. This is in addition to any specialist training in cranial osteopathy and paediatrics after they qualify. Craniosacral therapists are not licensed to diagnose problems independently in the UK, which means they may not be able to give you the same level of insight into what's happening with your baby.
How young can a baby be for their first appointment?
Because cranial osteopathy is such a gentle approach, there is no lower age limit. During my time working in the Starlight Neonatal Unit in Barnet Hospital, I've worked with newborns in the first few days of life and premature babies as young as 29 weeks gestational age.
How can I find a qualified paediatric osteopath near me?
The Foundation for Paediatric Osteopathy keeps a list of osteopaths who have completed its Diploma in Paediatric Osteopathy. I completed this internationally renowned two year training programme in 2006.

Other ways I can help

  • Children's osteopathy

    As your baby grows, osteopathy adapts with them. Find out about specialist care for children.

    Children's osteopathy

  • Pregnancy & postpartum

    I also work with pregnant women and new mothers. Find out how osteopathy can support you through pregnancy and recovery.

    Pregnancy osteopathy
Not sure yet? Book a free telephone consultation Book an appointment