CranioSacral Therapy

 

What is CranioSacral Therapy?

While the validity of the cardiovascular and respiratory rhythms is undisputed today, for eons the very existence of these systems sparked debates in medical communities around the globe.

Now for nearly 30 years, osteopathic physician and researcher John E. Upledger, D.O., O.M.M., has been a proponent of using the rhythm of another body system – the craniosacral system – to enhance body functioning, a help alleviate pain and discomfort.

The craniosacral system consists of the membranes and cerebral fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. It extends from the bones of the skull, face and mouth, which make up the cranium, down to the sacrum, or tailbone area.

Since this vital system influences the development and performance of the brain and spinal cord, an imbalance or restriction in it could potentially cause any number of sensory, motor or neurological disabilities. These problems could include chronic pain, eye difficulties, scoliosis, motor coordination impairments, learning disabilities and other health challenges.

CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle method of detection and correction that encourages your own natural healing mechanisms to dissipate these negative effects of stress on your central nervous system. You also benefit from better overall health and resistance to disease.

 

What Conditions Does CranioSacral Therapy Address?

CranioSacral Therapy strengthens your body’s ability to take better care of you. It helps alleviate a range of illness, pain and dysfunction, including:

• Migraines and Headaches
  
• Chronic Neck and Back Pain
  
• Motor-Coordination Impairments
• Stress and Tension-Related Problems
  
• Infantile Disorders
  
• Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries
  
• Chronic Fatigue
  
• Scoliosis
  
• Central Nervous System Disorders
  
• Emotional Difficulties
  
• Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ)
  
• Learning Disabilities
  
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  
• Orthopedic Problems
  
• Depression
  
• Ear and Eye Problems
  
• Allergies
  
• Autism
  
• Digestive Disorders
  
• Endocrine Imbalances

How Is CranioSacral Therapy Performed?

CranioSacral Therapy is performed on a person fully clothes. Using a light touch – generally no more than the weight of a nickel – the practitioner monitors the rhythm of the craniosacral system to detect potential restrictions and imbalances. The therapist then uses delicate manual techniques to release those problem areas and relive undue pressure on the brain and spinal cord.

A CranioSacral Therapy session can last from about 15 minutes to more than an hour, and it can be used alone or in conjunction with other therapeutic procedures.

The result? A central nervous system free of restrictions. And a body that’s able to return to its greatest levels of performance.

 

Who Can Perform CranioSacral Therapy?

Because of its positive effect on so many body functions, CranioSacral Therapy is practiced today by a wide variety of healthcare professionals. They include osteopathic physicians, allopathic physicians, doctors of chiropractic, doctors of Oriental medicine, naturopathic physicians, nurses, psychiatric specialists, psychologists, dentists, physical therapist, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, acupuncturists, Massage therapists and other professional bodyworkers.

 

How Did CranioSacral Therapy Begin?

CranioSacral Therapy dates back to 1970 when osteopathic physician John E. Upledger first witnessed the rhythmic movement of the craniosacral system during a spinal surgery. Yet none of his colleagues nor medical texts could explain the phenomenon.

Two years later, Dr. Upledger attended a short course on cranial osteopathy developed by Dr. William Sutherland. The course focused on the bones of the skull and the fact – surprising at the time – that they weren’t fused as doctors had been taught in medical school. Instead, Sutherland’s material demonstrated that skull bones continue to move throughout a person’s life.

Putting this new information together with the odd pulsing rhythm he’d observed years before, Dr. Upledger theorized that a hydraulic system of sorts was functioning inside the craniosacral system. He then set out to confirm his theories.

In 1975 he joined the Osteopathic College at Michigan State University as a clinical researcher and professor of biomechanics. There he led a team of anatomists, physiologists, biophysicists and bioengineers to test and document the influence of therapy on the craniosacral system. For the first time they were able to explain the function of the craniosacral system, and demonstrate how light-touch therapy could be used to evaluate and treat malfunctions involving the brain and spinal cord.

In 1985, Dr. Upledger went on to establish The Upledger Institute to teach the public and healthcare practitioners about the benefits of CranioSacral Therapy. To date, The Upledger Institute has trained more than 80,000 healthcare practitioners worldwide in the use of CranioSacral Therapy.

 

Benefits of Advanced CranioSacral Therapy

SomatoEmotional Release (SER) is a therapeutic process that evolved from CST work. It helps rid the mind and body of the painful effects of past physical trauma and negative emotional experiences.

Joint research by Dr. Upledger and biophysicist Dr. Karni, led to the discovery that the body often retains or “holds” energy from the physical forces that occur during injury, accidents and emotional trauma. Tissues can literally ”remember” their injuries. The tissues holding this disorganized energy are often isolated by the body into specific areas known as “energy cysts”. Although a healthy body can live, work, and adapt to such areas in the body, extra biologic energy is then required daily to maintain them, and so less energy is available for normal body functions when energy cysts are present. Over the years the body loses its ability to contain these cysts and symptoms such as pain, weakness, inflammation, atrophy etc., often appear in the areas near energy cysts. Even with medical treatment these symptoms pay persist or worsen until the healing by physically identifying and releasing energy cysts and resolving the associated unpleasant memories. When bio-energy is freed from holding chaotic energy, it becomes available for normal use, so health and vitality improve rapidly.

 

 

GO TOP