CranioSacral
Therapy is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating
and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body
system called the craniosacral system.
It 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 it 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. 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 helps to alleviate a range of illness,
pain, and dysfunction including:
