July 8, 2008
Craniosacral therapy is a light-touch treatment that enhances the body’s natural healing capabilities. It has been used for nearly 30 years as an effective treatment for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and loss of function.
A craniosacral therapy session involves the therapist placing their hands lightly on the patient’s body, tuning in to the patient by ‘listening’ with their hands to the craniosacral system. By gently working with the spine, the skull and its cranial sutures, diaphragms, and fascia, the restrictions of nerve passages are said to be eased, the movement of CSF through the spinal cord can be optimized, and misaligned bones are said to be restored to their proper position. Craniosacral therapists use the therapy to treat mental and emotional stress as well as physical pain disorders.
An osteopath, John Upledger, is credited with developing Craniosacral Therapy. While assisting during a surgery in 1970, Dr. Upledger observed a rhythmic movement of the dura mater, the membrane that encompasses the brain and spinal cord. The findings of the research team he supervised first established the scientific basis for the craniosacral system. The foundation of craniosacral therapy is the belief that the sacrum moves synchronously with the cranial bones.
The Craniosacral Therapy practitioner works with the patient to release restrictions and assist the body’s self-correcting mechanisms. Rather than deciding how these changes should be made, the therapist follows cues from the body on how to proceed. Generally using about five grams of pressure, or about the weight of a nickel, the practitioner evaluates the body’s craniosacral system. This system plays a vital role of maintaining the environment in which the central nervous system functions. It consists of the membranes and fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord as well as the attached bones – including the skull, face and mouth, which make up the cranium, and the tailbone area, or sacrum. Since the brain and spinal cord are contained within the central nervous system, it is easy to see that the craniosacral system has powerful influence over a wide variety of bodily functions.
Craniosacral Therapy has been shown to alleviate a wide range of conditions, including traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, migraine headaches, chronic fatigue, motor-coordination impairments, chronic neck and back pain, scoliosis, central nervous system disorders, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), stress and tension-related problems, and orthopedic problems. While the focus of Craniosacral Therapy is to uncover the source of the problem, symptom relief also is achieved. The length of time and number of sessions needed is extremely variable and depends, among other factors, on the complex layers of injury and trauma that may mask the original cause of the problem as well as the body’s defense mechanisms. Due to its gentleness and effectiveness, many people include Craniosacral Therapy as a component in their personal wellness programs. They report having more energy, sleeping better and being sick less often.
Patients often report a sense of deep relaxation during and after the treatment session, and may feel light-headed . This is popularly associated with increases in endorphins. Craniosacral therapy is claimed to be particularly beneficial in children. Adverse side effects of treatment are uncommon.
