CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system. This system helps to enhance the production and distribution of cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid is produced in the brain and through the movement of the cranial bones is circulated down the spinal column.
CranioSacral Therapy was developed in the early 20th century by William Sutherland, a doctor of osteopathy. The skull is flexible while the brain is growing, but it was then believed that the sutures or joints between the cranial bones fused and became immobile. As you aged Sutherland believed that the bones were not fused, but rather moved in a breathing motion through the connecting sutures. He believed that this was the motion that pumped the cerebrospinal fluid between the brain and spinal column.
John Upledger, an osteopath, is credited with sparking renewed interest in this therapy. After researching and learning the techniques in the early 1970's, he began teaching these therapeutic skills to practitioners outside the osteopathic profession. He also expanded the traditional techniques to manipulate the fascia--a connective tissue that covers every organ of the body. The fascia can hold physical and emotional trauma because it shortens as a result of surgery or injury. This shortening can affect the whole CranioSacral system.
In CranioSacral therapy, the practitioner uses about 5 grams of force or about the weight of a nickel. As the body relaxes, the therapist may meet the level of relaxation with more pressure. CranioSacral therapy is extremely slow and subtle. It addresses restrictions arising from any injuries, surgeries, or traumas to the body. Restoring these movements helps to encourage the body's natural healing mechanism.
Craniosacral therapy has been used to target highly specialized cases such as autism, concussion syndrome, cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, personality disorders, as well as a wide range of other developmental disorders. Significant cranial restrictions can lead to problems such as these.
In cranial osteopathy, it is believed that all of the bones in our neck and head move in certain ways—for example, the temporal bone moves in the way gills of a fish would expand and contract.
When we sustain any injury (especially to the head, neck, and spinal chord) a force is being put into our bodies that can compress these bones or misalign them. Our cranial bones can get “stuck” in the position that the trauma put us in, causing things like chronic headaches, TMJ, emotional distress, chronic pain, and the list goes on. Cindy has had extensive experience with cranial work—it is light, relaxing, and highly effective for people whom standard PT therapies have not been successful for.
This ‘Fasical Unwinding’ srticle provides a great in-depth explanation of how craniosacral therapy works.
Here is a testimony from one of our patients in regards to craniosacral:
My name is Alysia Bronson and I am a "graduate" of Squirrel Hill Physical Therapy. I say I am graduated because after receiving craniosacral therapy treatments, I no longer need to follow-up (although I would not hesitate, should any symptoms return). Let me tell you about my experience.
On January 15, 2010, I fell on the ice in my driveway and suffered a severe concussion. In literally an instant, my life changed so completely that I went from working on my doctoral dissertation to being unable to read, write, walk, or even identify the date. I had three inpatient hospital stays and countless visits to the ER and various doctors, ranging from the UPMC Sports Concussion Clinic, several neurologists, vestibular therapy, and more. I began having seizures that remained unexplained for many months. My family and friends had to provide me with 24/7 care.
After recovering from most of the above disabilities, I was left with a constant headache and some balance problems that would not go away with time or medication. I developed a fear of leaving my house and felt more hopeless and helpless than I ever had in my life. This accident affected me not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well.
My sister, who lives in Cincinnati, had been begging me to see a craniosacral therapist for 10 months. She and my niece (who has Cerebral Palsy) have been going to craniosacral therapy for years. I was a huge skeptic because I thought no one could help me if the best doctors in Pittsburgh could not. Finally, the emotional and physical pain became so great, that I told my sister I would try anything. She found Squirrel Hill PT on the internet and called them for me. I was relieved to learn that it was covered by my insurance, and agreed to try it.
At that point, I was not even able to drive and had to get rides from Butler to Squirrel Hill from friends and family. I met with Cindy to do the intake and an initial cranio session. I can testify that I left that appointment headache-free. I continued with my appointments approximately 2-3 times per week for about 6 weeks. When mild headaches did crop up from time to time, they were gone when I left the session. I also was cured from all balance problems. I was seizure free and able to drive within one month of my treatment.
I am happy and amazed to report that on January 16th of this year, one year to the date, I successfully returned to work. I will be finished with my PhD within the year and I am able to be a productive member of society and of my family. People who know me and what I have gone through continually ask me, "How did they do it?” I tell them quite honestly that I'm not sure exactly how craiosacrial therapy works, but that I am living proof that it does, in fact, work. My story is probably extreme, and I personally refer to it as a miracle. I just hope that anyone who reads this will take the leap of faith that I did and give Squirrel Hill Physical Therapy a try. I believe that they gave me my life back.
Alysia B. Bronson, M.Ed., CCDPD, CACD, ICCDPD
Program Director
Gateway Rehabilitation
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CranioSacral therapy helps to alleviate a range of illness, pain, and dysfunction including: |
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Learn more about CranioSacral Therapy by clicking here.