An Introduction to Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral therapy takes an entirely holistic approach in the prevention and cure of numerous types of physical ailments. Craniosacral therapy is steadily gaining ground as a popular alternative method. Many people prefer alternative medicine over conventional means of health care where pain killers are almost always prescribed, if not surgery that requires long recovery periods.

One major area of concern is the non-inclusion of majority of holistic care therapies in medical insurance coverage. Of late, the insurance industry is changing its opinion of alternative medicine and has begun reimbursing expenses for massage, acupuncture and chiropractic therapies.
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Craniosacral therapy (CST) evolved from osteopathy, and it was developed by Dr. John Upledger following an eight-year research as biomechanics professor at Michigan State University. The idea was pioneered by Dr. William Sutherland via his work in cranial osteopathy and which he taught to the others in the 1930s.

When he was assisting during a neck surgery, Dr. Upledger observed the pulsation of the spinal cord membrane later known as craniosacral rhythm. From 1975 to 1983, Dr. Upledger studied further the pulse he observed and related it to Dr. Sutherland’s theory of cranial bone movement until he came up with his own treatment method.

He generated the term “craniosacral therapy” based on the corresponding movement between the cranium and sacrum. Craniosacral therapy involves the gentle manipulation of the bones of the face, skull, and spine to improve the function of the craniosacral system which includes the membranes as well as the fluid that encloses the brain and spinal cord.

Craniosacral therapy includes an assessment of the movement of the cerebrospinal fluid, which can be restricted by trauma to the body sustained by falls, accidents and general nervous tension. Extremely light pressure is used to move the spinal and cranial bones in order to ease any restrictions of nerve passages and optimize the movement of the cerebrospinal fluid through the spinal cord.

Because of the relationship between the craniosacral system and the brain and spinal cord, it influences the central nervous system and affects many body functions. Treating the craniosacral system brings harmony to the entire nervous system and prevents many related illnesses. Craniosacral therapy is good for mental stress and chronic fatigue, persistent back and neck pain, migraines and motor coordination disorders. It is also known to relieve infants of colic.

Craniosacral therapists claim the ability to find and release the so-called energy cysts, built up energy that has been blocked, just like the neck pain you get from tilting your neck at certain angle all day when you are at work. In practice, these therapists often work more directly with the emotional and psychological aspects of disease.

Craniosacral therapy techniques have been proven effective to allow the patient to relive all types of past injuries, whether emotional or physical. As such, uncontrollable emotional outbursts like crying are common during craniosacral therapy treatment sessions since the release of suppressed emotions facilitates structural releases. An experienced craniosacral therapy practitioner will have the necessary skills to help the patient process the memories and sensations, and let go of the past and residual pains.

Craniosacral therapy is a hands-on process. It is advisable to wear loose clothing when undergoing therapy. And, if you wish to feel more relaxed, you can remove your shoes during the session. With the patient lying lie supine on a massage table, the therapist uses light touch to feel the cerebrospinal fluid’s rhythmic motion within the craniosacral system.

Touch points are those places where the craniosacral membrane barrier is attached to bones like the skull, tailbone and sacrum. Thus, it is said that the craniosacral therapy practitioner “listens” with his fingers when they are placed on your temples and other parts of the body.

In actuality, they are checking your craniosacral rhythm’s amplitude, quality of the wave-like motion, and symmetry of your craniosacral rhythm. If they note any restrictions or blockages, they make light-touch adjustments. The sensations experienced during the session are unique to every individual but it is typical for the patient to feel deep relaxation, to the point that he will fall asleep. This is usually when playback of hidden memories and repressed emotions happen.

Craniosacral therapy is a gentle and non-invasive form of treatment. In many of its sessions, other therapy types are also employed for strengthening the system. For instance, chiropractic technique is used for realigning the spine and relieving the pressure up to the clenched jaw. In another instance, acupuncture or acupressure is used to stimulate the flow of Qi.

When you have decided to see a craniosacral therapy practitioner, do know that the total number of your sessions will vary according to the complaint and how severe your disorder is. The average craniosacral therapy usually lasts several weeks with 2 to 3 treatments per week.

However, do forego craniosacral therapy if you have a known or suspected brain hemorrhage or aneurysm, or have any other condition that would only be aggravated by altering the pressure of intracranial fluid. Also, craniosacral therapy is not recommended for life threatening problems like heart disease, cancer, or medical emergencies.

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