CranioSacral Therapy
Chronic problems such as ear infections, headaches, sinusitis and facial pain can be difficult to treat successfully by conventional means. In desperation, some patients are turning to practitioners who offer a treatment called CranioSacral Therapy (CST). Many say they are helped or even cured by it. But, what is CranioSacral Therapy, and how does it work?
CranioSacral Therapy is an extension of Osteopathy. In the past it was rejected by some osteopaths, but is now becoming accepted as a part of general osteopathic training. It is based on a discovery by an American, William Sutherland, in the 1920's.
Sutherland found that the cranial bones that make up the skull are moveable and respond to what he called the "primary respiratory mechanism" (the way in which the intracranial membranes, the brain, spinal cord and intraspinal membranes enclosed within the cerebrospinal fluid fluctuate constantly).
By placing his or her hands on a patient's head, a practitioner can feel the expansion and contraction of the cranium and meninges. If you'd like to feel this rhythm on yourself, lightly place your hands on each side of your head, lightly resting your elbows on a table, and feel for a subtle rhythmic expansion and contraction. The normal rate of craniosacral rhythm in humans is between 6 and 12 cycles per minute. In pathological cases, the craniosacral rhythm has been observed at less than 6 cycles, or at more than 12 cycles.
This rhythm is distinct from the heart rate, respiration and pulse, and is caused by the fluctuations in cerebrospinal fluid which are independent of its circulation.
If the body is injured, traumatised or malfunctioning, a craniosacral therapist can tell where in the body the problem is by feeling distortions in the cranial rhythm. To correct this, the therapist uses his hands to gently manipulate the skull and sacral area, restoring balance in the cranial rhythm.
CranioSacral Therapy is practiced today by a wide variety of healthcare professionals which include medical doctors, chiropractors, naturopathic physicians, acupuncturists, nurses, psychologists, dentists, massage therapists, and other professional bodyworkers.
CST is recommended for mothers and newborns if the birth has been difficult. It can be used effectively for children with learning/behavioral difficulties. CranioSacral Therapy combines well with counselling as it can release emotional traumas held in the body. Intra-oral techniques can be used in CST for facial pain, jaw or temporomandibular joint dysfunction, and may be used by your dentist. It is also effective for sensory, motor, or neurological difficulties as well as neck and back pain.
CST is extremely safe and effective, and the results are excellent. The contraindications to CranioSacral Therapy are anuryism, intracranial haemorrhage, and other conditions where altering intracranial fluid pressure is not recommended.