CranioSacral Therapy is a deep tissue but light touch form of bodywork. The therapist uses pressure of about 5 grams, or the weight of a nickel. It is usually performed with the client fully clothed on a treatment table. It is thought to help with a wide range of health issues, through the correction of connective tissue dysfunctions.
What is CranioSacral Therapy?
CranioSacral Therapy is so named because it works with the fluids and the membranes surrounding the central nervous system, from the cranium (head,) down the spine, to the sacrum (at the bottom of the spine.) Releasing tissue restrictions surrounding the central nervous system allows the system to function better and can affect the health and function of the entire body.
Dr. John Upledger, D. O., developed CranioSacral Therapy beginning in the 1960s, from manipulative osteopathy. While assisting with a surgery, Upledger first noticed the rhythmic movement of the spinal fluid within the membranes surrounding the spine and brain. Spinal fluid fills and empties from these membranes about 6 to12 times per minute.
CranioSacral Therapy uses these rhythms to assess the client’s tissues. Rhythms of spinal fluid cause movement in connective tissues, which surround all body structures. A trained therapist can feel CranioSacral rhythms throughout the body. Evaluation of the rhythm’s strength, speed and evenness suggest the course of therapy. When the rhythm is blocked or distorted, it indicates a restriction between the spine and the tissue being assessed.
CranioSacral rhythms may pause during therapy. Although not fully understood, this pause appears to indicate that the tissue restriction or energy blockage is relatively significant, so the therapist gives it priority in treatment. Somewhat like muscle testing (applied kinesiology,) the pause in rhythm gives the therapist a way to communicate with the client’s unconscious awareness of the body’s condition.
The therapist can also cause the CranioCacral rhythm to pause. This pause, or "stillpoint," has a number of therapeutic effects.
Typical Benefits of CranioSacral Therapy
The CranioSacral system can affect the nervous, vascular, musculoskeletal, lymphatic, endocrine and respiratory systems and affect overall health. CranioSacral therapy treats a wide range of health problems, improving fluid exchange, reducing stress, relieving pain and improving range of motion. It is frequently used to treat TMJ (temporal mandibular joint) and other dental problems, sinus problems and headaches. It is also used in cases of autism. Early studies performed by Upledger, showed that such therapy significantly improved certain problem behaviors in autistic children.
CranioSacral Therapy deals largely with connective tissues. Connective tissue abnormalities can exert enormous pressure; cause pain and limit motion, and are not visible on diagnostic images, so symptoms seem mysterious. Studies by John Upledger, and bio-physicist Zvi Carni, show that connective tissue restrictions also interfere with the flow of biological energy.
CranioSacral therapy includes the concept that some part of the patient’s unconscious is aware of what is necessary for healing. John Upledger coined the term, “Inner Physician” to describe a patient’s unconscious inner wisdom about their physical needs. He developed ways of dialoguing with this “Inner Physician” though the patient or by using changes in the CranioSacral rhythm to indicate the best course of treatment in a given situation.
A subset of CranioSacral Therapy is SomatoEmotional Release, which deals with the physical and emotional effects of trauma. Upledger’s studies of bioelectricity suggest that the energy of a trauma can be trapped in the tissues and disrupt health. SomatoEmotional Release is the use of CranioSacral Therapy to release this energy disruption from the body.
References:
Upledger, John E. Your Inner Physician and You. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books, 1997
Upledger, John E. SomatoEmotional Release and Beyond. Palm Beach Gardens, FL: Upledger Institute Publishing, 1990.
Upledger, John E., and Vredevoogd, Jon. CranioSacral Therapy. Seattle, WA: Eastland Press, 1983.
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