Run by
The Maris Practice
Osteopathy at Skylarks
The Osteopathic Clinic at Skylarks opened in September 2007 offering osteopathic treatment to children with additional needs.
Treatment sessions are held weekly during term time on Tuesday afternoons at the Crossway Centre. We usually have 2 osteopaths offering treatment at the same time in the same room.
We also offer play sessions, music therapy, drama and karate at the Crossway Centre on Tuesday afternoons, so you are welcome to combine your osteopathy appointment with any of our other activities. Please book these separately.
*Please only book a maximum of TWO sessions at one time. We implement a fair access policy. Once an Osteopath has seen your child they will say how oftern you need to book an appointment*
If our osteopathy appointments are fully booked, please put your child's name on the waiting list for the dates you are available and we will contact you if a space becomes available. Sometimes cancellations can happen at the last minute due to illness etc so please also check the website for last minute availability. The waiting list is here:
Booking:
Appointment times are as follows:
2.45 – 3.15
3.20 – 3.50
3.55 – 4.25
4.30 – 5.00
*These appointments are highly sought after. If you cannot make an appointment, please let us know as soon as possible, so that we can offer it to someone else. Thank you*
If you are taking part in our osteopathy clinic for the first time, please aim to book two appointments of 30 minutes each, so that you have a 60 minute appointment on your first visit. If this is not possible, please don't worry - just book a single appointment for your first session and the therapist will concentrate on taking a medical history in this session - treatment can then wait till the next session.
After that you may need a 30 minute appointment every 2 or 3 weeks, as advised by your therapist.
If your child has had osteopathy treatment with one of our therapists before, please book a 30 minute appointment. The therapist will then suggest how often to book appointments after that.
How much does it cost?
All our services are free of charge, in order to allow everyone to participate. However, we hope that you will find this service useful and wish to make a donation. An optional donation of £6.00 per session is suggested. This can be paid by contactless payment on the day or via our website.
What do I need to do before I come?
Please book online.
Hannah McCrudden Osteopath.
Meet Hannah McCrudden, a seasoned Osteopath with over two decades of expertise spanning from the serene landscapes of New Zealand to the bustling streets of Tunbridge Wells, Harley Street, and back to Twickenham. With a fervour for unraveling the mysteries of the human body, she empowers her clients with invaluable insights and tools to navigate their well-being journey.
Graduating from the prestigious British School of Osteopathy in 2001 and further honing her skills with an MSc in Paediatric Osteopathy in 2007, Hannah’s commitment to excellence is unwavering. Her research endeavours delve deep into breathing dysfunction, shedding light on the intricate interplay between musculoskeletal responses and stress.
Beyond traditional osteopathic techniques, Hannah’s repertoire includes Pilates instruction since 2010 and over 15 years of proficiency in Medical Acupuncture. Her treatment ethos embodies thoughtfulness and gentleness, seamlessly blending soft tissue manipulation, movement therapy, Cranial work, and selective manipulation techniques. Complementing her practice are certifications in Medical Acupuncture and Functional Fascial Taping, offering a holistic approach to healing.
With a heart for nurturing the well-being of families, Hannah is adept at working with children of all ages, drawing from her tenure at the Osteopathic Centre for Children in London. Whether it’s addressing calmer feeds, alleviating ear congestion, or soothing post-pregnancy backaches, she thrives on accompanying families through their transformative journey.
In her relentless pursuit of knowledge, Hannah is currently undergoing training to become a Hypopressives teacher, specialising in pelvic floor rehabilitation for postpartum and peri/menopausal women. Adding to her repertoire, she has developed a facial treatment harnessing her osteopathic prowess, offering a blend of health and cosmetic benefits. This unique therapy, born from anatomical insight, promises a rejuvenating experience that transcends the ordinary.
What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is an ideal treatment for babies and children because it is safe and very gentle.
It can benefit a wide range of health problems from glue ear, asthma, and allergies to digestive disturbances such as colic and reflux. Osteopathy can also help in more complex situations such as Cerebral Palsy, Autism and learning difficulties, as osteopaths look at the health of the individual as a whole not just individual symptoms.
Osteopaths use a very subtle contact to release tensions within the body, freeing blood and nerve supplies to encourage the body’s natural healing process, helping to restore health and well being. Most children find the treatment relaxing and enjoyable.
Treatments are offered in a relaxed informal atmosphere and are tailored to meet each child’s needs. An initial assessment is made on the first visit where a comprehensive case history is taken, an osteopathic examination is made, and you will have an opportunity to ask questions. This takes about an hour and we try to include some treatment on the first visit. Follow up treatments are 30 minutes.
What do sessions at the Crossway Centre look like?
Buggies and prams can be left under the stairs where they will not obstruct exits or access to the lift.
The staff wear purple Skylarks T-shirts and the volunteers will wear orange T-shirts so that you can recognise us!
We can make you a cup of tea or coffee. Please keep all hot drinks out of the reach of children.
Please do not leave water bottles where they might be used by others. Please supervise your children when eating to make sure they don’t leave food lying around and please clean up any spillages or leftovers. Please only eat in the entrance hallway and not in the play rooms.
If your child has a toileting accident, we ask you to clean up. We will provide gloves and cleaning materials. Please have a spare set of clothes with you.
Donations can be made by contactless card reader at the centre or online, not in cash.
