Craniosacral Therapy
Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a technique that is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability to bolster resistance to disease and sustain overall good health. CST is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system. This system is comprised of the cranial bones, membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.
Using a soft touch that generally has a force no greater than 5 grams, or about the weight of a nickel, practitioners release restrictions in the craniosacral system to improve the functioning of the central nervous system.
Life and Motion
Life expresses itself as motion. At a fundamental level of our physiological functioning all healthy, living tissues subtly "breathe" with the motion of life—a phenomenon that produces rhythmic impulses which can be palpated by sensitive hands.
The presence of a subtle rhythmic motion in the body was discovered by osteopath Dr William Garner Sutherland about 100 years ago, after he had a remarkable insight while examining the sutures of disarticulated, or disconnected, cranial bones. Contrary to popular belief, Dr Sutherland realized that cranial sutures were, in fact, designed for movement. He undertook many years of research during which he demonstrated the existence of this motion, and concluded that it is produced by the body’s inherent life force, which he called the Breath of Life. Furthermore, Dr Sutherland realized the motion of cranial bones is closely connected to an integrated network of tissues and fluids at the core of the body that includes the motion of cerebrospinal fluid, the brain and spinal cord, the membranes surrounding the central nervous system and the sacrum.
Inertial Patterning
The body becomes patterned according to how our intrinsic resources of health are able to deal with any stresses that we may experience. Any unresolved tensions, strains and traumas create sites of inertia in the body which may accumulate over time. These sites affect the natural expression of our cranial rhythm and so hinder our ability to function. Common causes of inertia are physical injuries, emotional and psychological stresses, birth trauma and toxicity. The body thus becomes a unique expression of our health, history and conditioning. As a result of unresolved inertia, events are imprinted in the tissues like videotape, which may keep replaying whenever stimulated.
A Gentle Facilitation
Craniosacral therapy is a hands-on approach that involves "listening with the fingers" to the body’s subtle rhythms and any patterns of inertia and congestion. The emphasis of treatment is to encourage and enhance the body's own self-healing and self-regulating capabilities, even in the most acute resistances and pathologies.
What to Expect in a Craniosacral Session:
The work is very gentle and non-invasive. Subtle suggestions are introduced through the practitioner’s hands to help restore balance in areas of congestion, stagnation and inertia. With skillful touch, the practitioner can assist the body to resolve patterns of disorder, thereby encouraging a revitalization of tissues with healing forces of the Breath of Life.
Craniosacral therapy takes a whole-person approach to healing. The interconnections of mind, body and spirit are acknowledged, as well as how the body reflects experiences ad retains the memory of trauma. It is an effective form of treatment for a wide range of acute and chronic illnesses, helping to create the optimal conditions for health, encouraging vitality and facilitating a sense of well being. Craniosacral therapy is suitable for people of all ages, including babies, children and the elderly, and can be effective in acute or chronic cases.