What is CranioSacral Therapy?

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.