What happens at a Consultation and Treatment

At the inital consultation, a detailed case history is taken to determine that it is safe to treat you, and that you are likely to benefit from the treatment. If not, you will be refered to whomever it is felt would better be able to help you.

Adults would usually then be examined in standing, sitting and lieing-down positions, and through various active and passive movements, to determine how the body is being used. Orthopeadic and neurological tests will be performed when indicated.

 

For Osteopathy we can understand more about your body's structure and function if we examine you undressed to your underwear. However, your comfort and ability to relax are more important, so shorts or leggings and a loose top are fine if you would be more comfortable in them.

 

For CranioSacral and other therapies we usually treat fully dressed, but again, loose comfortable clothes are best.


Babies and smaller children are usually examined and treated, fully clothed, either on their parent's or my own lap, or on the couch, and frequently fall asleep during the session. 

Sessions with more active todlers and pre-schoolers are often, of necessity, more mobile and frequently end up on the carpeted floor amoungst piles of toys from our well stocked toybox! 

The body is gently "listened-to" using our hands at various, respectful, positions, to discover any imbalance in the tone, tension, and structure of the muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments, as well as the nervous tissues and fascial layers.

 

Alexander Still, the founder of Osteopathy, stated that "structure governs function", and the aim of Osteopathy and CST is to restore healthy structure to enable all the tissues and organs of the body to function correctly and return to optimal health.


Once a diagnosis has been made, which is rarely a label, but most often a comentary of what is happening to, and how you are using your whole body, a treatment plan is devised and commenced at the first visit. This session usually lasts an hour, with follow up sessions lasting anywhere between 45 and 60 minutes. However the length of a treatment is determined by what your body needs, and can accomodate. If that is 15 minutes, that is what you will get. If it's 90 minutes, the day's schedule goes out the window, but we will accomodate your needs, as determined by the signals your body gives out!

The depth of touch used in a treatment session varies between one so light it is almost inperceptable, to a more energetic, permeating contact, but always with feedback from and respect for the patient.

 

Sometimes people can feel a bit tired or achy after a treatment but if this does occur it usually subsides after 24 to 48 hours. It is recommended that strenuous exercise or activty be avoided during this period to allow the tissues of the body time to rebalance.


The number of sessions required usually varies between one and four, depending on the severity, longevity and adaptability of your condition. However the aim is for you to be responsible for your own health and well being by giving you exercises, dietary and other advice. Some patients are advised to return 3 / 6 / or 12 monthly for their "10,000 mile service" but for the majority the aim is to discharge you as quickly as possible, equiped to maintain for yourself your improved state of health.

Finally, and most importantly, I believe treatment should, if at all possible, be fun for children and adults. Laughter IS the best medicine, so do come and let your hair down!​

Treatments available with David Harrison

 

Testimonials

After having breastfeeding issues with our three week old daughter, it was recommended that we should see a cranial osteopath. David worked wonders and we noticed a great improvement immediately after receiving treatment. I was so impressed with David that I also had treatment for myself.

 

What a wonderful experience. After having lots of issues with my 5 month old son's weight gain it was suggested to me to see David. He has worked wonders, I can't rave about him enough. Before seeing him my son was a happy little boy but I couldn't put him down any length of time and his breastfeeding latch was shallow. Well if i thought he was happy then the change is remarkable! He adores playing on the floor now, tummy time the lot. His latch is 10000 times better and he even managed to rid my little boy of his constantly cold hands. He's also treated my dad on a regular basis over the years. Overall top service and top bloke.

 

When asking for osteopath recommendations from friends, David was suggested to me time & time again. After my first appointment with him I can definately see why. He has a genuinely caring, trusting & sensitive nature and within a couple of minutes I felt completely at ease. Incredibly professional & simply fantastic with the work he did to my back, I was worried I'd done permanent damage but he fixed my pain in two relaxed & painfree sessions. I am so pleased I found him & recommend him to everyone I know. I also had a myofascial treatment which I also recommend, it's hard to describe but I came out of the session feeling subtly different, something definately shifted and it made me feel great, I will definately be returning for another of these.

There are only a couple of people I have ever come across who I feel have truly healing hands, and without a doubt, David is one of them.

 

We had fabulous service from David during the 2 sessions we had with him. He comes highly recommended from us and we will be back soon with my 5yo!

 

David was fantastic with Monty my (then) 4 month old. He was breech for most of my pregnancy and was born as a transverse breech by c-section. His head was very swashed after sitting under my ribs for months and looking down on his head from the top his skull wasn't equal. One ear and side of his brow was obviously further forward than the other. David worked on him for a number of sessions - after which he was a different baby. More active, fluid in his movements and generally happier. He was also much more symmetrical. I could not recommend David and his practice highly enough. A consummate professional and Monty loved him!! A big thank you. Naomi 

This is the best Osteopathic treatment in Southern England! I have been a patient of David Harrison for many years and highly recommend treatment. Cranio Sacral Therapy has made such a difference to fine tuning the physiological dysfunctions and Osteopathy keeps the rest in check; a wonderful combination for holistic health and maintenance. Gill F. 

Fantastic! Louie is truly a different baby, I am able to write this as he is content and asleep beside me. Previous to any treatment meant 3-4 hours of screaming every night. Thank you David! I will spread the word!

Research

Recent proof of the existence of the CranioSacral Rhythm:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1360859220301716