What is CranioSacral Therapy?

CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a very gentle yet very effective treatment approach that grew out of the osteopathic tradition. Light pressure is all that is required because of the sensitivity of the tissues of the head and neck. Cranial Sacral work can be beneficial for specific problems or as a general relaxation technique. Many people find these techniques to be incredibly relaxing and induce a state of mind that is almost like dreaming. Using a soft touch which is generally no greater than the weight of a nickel, CST practitioners release restrictions in the soft tissues that surround the central nervous system and cranial nerves. CST is effective for a wide range of medical conditions and injuries, there is a large amount of research validating it’s use for conditions like:
- Migraines and Headaches
- Chronic and Acute Neck and Back Pain
- Stress and Tension-Related Disorders
- Motorco-ordination Impairments
- Infant and Childhood Disorders
- Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries
- Chronic Fatigue
- Fibromyalgia
- TMJ Syndrome
- Scoliosis
- Central Nervous System Disorders
- Learning Disabilities
- ADD/ADHD
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Orthopedic Problems
- and Many Other Conditions
Taken from the Upledger Institute
What should you expect during CranioSacral Treatment?
Before your treatment begins you will have a discussion with your therapist about your health history and your goals for treatment. They will perform some assessment and decide what treatment techniques are most appropriate. You will discuss the treatment plan, goals and any risks as well as what you can expect to experience during treatment.
CranioSacral therapy takes place with the client lying on a massage table, wearing comfortable clothing, in a quiet and peaceful environment.
Pure CranioSacral treatment involves gentle touch focused on the head, spine and pelvis. Techniques are usually held for quite a long time and are more about supporting the bodies own subtle, rhythmic movements than about imposing the practitioners ideas of what the body should be doing. The central theme of CranioSacral therapy is the practitioner’s use of gentle touch.
The client may feel restrictions, muscular holding patterns and tensions begin to release, their internal organs begin relax and come to life, and the bones of the head, spine and pelvis subtly realign. These sensations are often accompanied by a deep sense of relaxation, peace and relief.
Your therapist will often combine CranioSacral techniques with other forms of massage so that each treatment is tailored to each person.
Benefits of CranioSacral Treatment?
Calms the central nervous system especially the Autonomic nervous system that regulates every other aspect of the body. The autonomic nervous system functions on a continuum between fight and flight and rest and digest states. It regulates heart rate, blood pressure, digestion and links the nervous system to the endocrine system. Many conditions especially those that involve pain, trauma or stress, involve disrupted regulation of the autonomic nervous system and therefore affect the patient in a very broad and deep way. Craniosacral is useful in this regard because the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system emerges from the cranium and sacrum. Working with these parts of the body readily stimulates the “rest and digest” functions of the body.
Some people experience release of emotional tension as their body begins to unwind. Many of Jeremy’s patients have expressed how the release of emotional tension during treatment has a major role in the improvement of their conditions and balance.
Because it is so gentle Craniosacral work is appropriate for people who are too sensitive to tolerate other forms of therapy, including infants and children, the elderly and those in acutely fragile or painful conditions.