Cranio Sacral Therapy

It is to be noted that this therapy is the general release of muscular tension, and can be applied by a Remedial Massage Therapist.

CranioSacral Therapy manipulates the bones of the skull to treat a range of conditions, from headache & ear infection to stroke, spinal cord injury, and cerebral palsy.

Today CranioSacral Therapy is getting approval by health professionals worldwide as a successful treatment modality.

Every one is familiar with the body’s cardiac rhythm (heartbeat) and respiratory rhythm (breathing). Yet there is a third and equally important rhythm known as the craniosacral rhythm that results from the increase and decrease in the volume of cerebrospinal fluid within and around the craniosacral system.

Cranio refers to the cranium, or head, and Sacral refers to the base of the spine and tailbone.

The craniosacral system is comprised of the….

• brain and spinal cord (the central nervous system);
• the cerebrospinal fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord;
• the surrounding meninges (membranes) that enclose the brain, spinal cord, and cerebrospinal fluid;
• and the bones of the spine and skull that house these membranes.

There is a rhythmical motion in the craniosacral system created by the rise and fall of cerebrospinal fluid pressure. An increase in this pressure occurs as cerebrospinal fluid filters from the bloodstream and enters the craniosacral system, causing a predicatable movement of the cranial bones. The pressure reduces as the cerebrospinal fluid is reabsorbed into the blood stream through the inner membranes of the brain, allowing the bones to return to their original position. The cranial therapist monitors this wavelike motion to determine any limitation or dysfunction in the craniosacral system.

This subtle rhythm ranges from 6 to 10 cycles per minute, and is for the most part unaffected by the heart and respiratory systems.

A Therapist “palpates”or feels with his hands, the motion of the craniosacral system as a unified, integrated movement.

he touch is extremely gently & sensitive, and one is able to diagnose the movement of the system as a whole, by locating critical points of restriction in the cranium.

Limitations that result from injury, inflexibility of the joints of the spine and cranium, or from dysfunctions in other parts of the body, can all cause abnormal motion in the craniosacral system. The abnormal motion leads to stresses in the cranial mechanism, which can contribut to dysfunction and poor health, especially in the brain and spinal cord.

The purpose of CranioSacral Therapy is to enhance the functioning of this important system.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Craniosacral Therapy works by helping the body’s natural healing mechanisms dissipate the negative effects of stress on the central nervous system.

This is accomplished through utilizing a physiological body system called the craniosacral system, which maintains the environment in which the central nervous system functions. It consists of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord, extending from the bones of the skull, face and mouth (which make up the cranium) down to the tailbone area (or sacrum). The role of this system in the development and performance of the brain and spinal cord is so vital that an imbalance or dysfunction in it can cause sensory, motor and/or neurological disabilities.

Like the pulse of the cardiovascular system, the craniosacral system has a rhythm that can be felt throughout the body. Using a touch generally no heavier than the weight of a 10c coin, skilled practitioners can monitor this rhythm at key body points to pinpoint the source of an obstruction or stress. Once a source has been determined, they can assist the natural movement of the fluid and related soft tissue to help the body self-correct. This simple action is often all it takes to remove a restriction. Other times, CST may be combined with other complementary therapies to help restore the body to its optimum functioning level.

BENEFITS OF CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY

Imbalances in the craniosacral mechanism often begin before birth. Deficient prenatal nutrition can result in underdevelopment of the facial and jawbones that can later impair smooth functioning of the craniosacral system. Difficult deliver, extended periods of engagement (the time the baby’s head is in the birth canal), or the incorrect use of forceps, even suction, can produce severe stresses and distortion to the growing cranial tissues. This consequently can affect the baby’s general health. Many of these stresses to the newborn’s craniosacral system are normally considered untreatable by common medicine, and often go unnoticed.

What conditions can CranioSacral Therapy help?

Because of its influence on the functioning of the central nervous system, CranioSacral Therapy can benefit the body in a number of ways - from bolstering overall health & resistance to disease to alleviating a wide range of specific medical conditions.

Among CST’s largest patient groups are those suffering chronic symptoms that haven’t been aided by other approaches. In particular, CST is beneficial to those with head, neck or back injuries resulting from an accident – be it from a car, sports or work mishap, or from a fall. The extremely light touch involved in the application of CST makes it a safe approach as well for children, infants and newborns with early traumas, including birth trauma. They especially can benefit from the timely identification and release of restrictions in the craniosacral system, thereby preventing future difficulties such as learning disabilities or hyperactivity.

Another area of principal effectiveness is with stress-related dysfunctions. Insomnia, fatigue, headaches, poor digestion, anxiety and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction are a few examples. CranioSacral Therapy works to reverse the debilitating effects of stress by providing the conditions in which the nervous system can rest & rejuvenate. In fact, it’s this capacity to reduce stress that’s lading an increasing number of people to include CST as part of their wellness routines.

Other conditions for which CranioSacral Therapy has shown to be effective are various sensory disorders. Among these are eye-motor coordination problems, autism, dyslexia, loss of taste or smell, tinnitus, vertigo and neuralgias such as sciatica and tic douloureux.

• Migraine Headaches
• Chronic Neck & Back Pain
• Motor-Coordination Impairments
• Colic
• Autism
• Central Nervous System Disorders
• Orthopaedic Problems
• Traumatic Brain & Spinal Cord Injuries
• Scoliosis
• Infantile Disorders
• Learning Disabilities
• Chronic Fatigue
• Emotional Difficulties
• Stress & Tension-Related Problems
• Fibromyalgia & other Connective –Tissue Disorders
• Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ)
• Neurovascular or Immune Disorders
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Post-Surgical Dysfunction
• Injuries

See Also

Massage

Emotional Freedom Technique

Kinesiology

N.O.T.

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