What is CranioSacral Therapy?
By Alicia A Berg, HHP, CMT
CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle, non-invasive,
hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the body’s own natural healing
mechanisms. The core of this work is a focus on the CranioSacral System, which
consists of the cerebrospinal fluid and the dural membranes
that surround and protect the brain & spinal cord.
Although it is received very similar to the way energy work is received
(in that it is still), the effects are often physical and profound.
It is important to understand that
although this work has an energetic component, it is structural work. It is similar to Rolfing in that one of
its main goals is structural alignment, yet very different in that it is a much
more gentle approach to achieve structural alignment. Structural alignment can only be achieved when all parts of
the body are aligned. This means the spinal cord and dural membranes, as well as the skeleton and internal
organs.
Techniques, like CranioSacral Therapy which encourage structural alignment, work with our connective tissue (also called fascia). The dural membranes of the CranioSacral System, which house the cerebrospinal fluid, are made up of
connective tissue. Connective tissue is ubiquitous, which means it is a
continuous, connected system weaving its way throughout the body covering
muscles, individual muscle fibers, the inside & outside of every organ,
just beneath the skin …around the spinal cord, around & within the
brain… it is everywhere. A restriction in one area can cause
imbalances throughout the body. By unwinding & freeing restrictions in the
connective tissue we can help bring balance to the body.
Balancing the CranioSacral system
frees the movement of the cerebrospinal fluid, improving brain and spinal cord
function.
Because the brain and nervous
system affect the entire body, this work can affect bones, muscles, internal
organs, the vascular system, connective tissue.... it can affect all parts
of the body, both visceral and energetic.
Due to its intimate relationship with the nervous system, CranioSacral Therapy is employed for a wide variety of issues. It has been used in treating complex conditions such as traumatic brain & spinal cord injury, immune disorders, post-surgical & post dental work issues, learning & developmental disabilities, and more common conditions such as back pain, headache/migraines, TMJ syndrome, stress-related & emotional issues. These are only some of the myriad of health challenges that can be helped by CranioSacral Therapy.
Due to its intimate relationship with the nervous system, CranioSacral Therapy is employed for a wide variety of issues. It has been used in treating complex conditions such as traumatic brain & spinal cord injury, immune disorders, post-surgical & post dental work issues, learning & developmental disabilities, and more common conditions such as back pain, headache/migraines, TMJ syndrome, stress-related & emotional issues. These are only some of the myriad of health challenges that can be helped by CranioSacral Therapy.
