Craniosacral Therapy (also called cranial osteopathy and cranial therapy) is a manual non-invasive therapy using gentle touch to precisely influence the entire body via the skeleton, connective tissue and nervous tissue; typically the skull and sacrum (the large triangular bones at the base of the spine). Cranial work is based on the theory that the central nervous system (including the brain and spinal cord) has subtle, rhythmic pulsations referred to as Primary Respiratory Mechanism (PRM). These rhythmic pulsations—referred to as motility—are imparted to all living tissues, each with their own unique signature. Vital to our health this can be perceived, evaluated and gently modified by skilled hands to regain health. The cranial sacral motility motion (that is, the PRM) is an idea that originated with osteopathy.
Some conditions addressed with Cranial Sacral treatments:
- neck and spine pain
- whiplash
- concussions
- eye tensions
- facial pains
- post epidurals
- spinal disc problems
- constipation
- IBS- irritable bowel syndrome
- seizures
- scoliosis
- migraine headaches
- disturbed sleep cycles
- asthma
- sinus infections
- TMJ syndrome
- Ménière’s disease and ear problems
- ADHD attention deficit hyperactivity disorder for children who have experienced birth trauma or head trauma
More on cranial therapy…
Using ones hands a practitioner gently frees up restrictions in the movement of cranial bones and associated soft tissues in order to stimulate the flow of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which bathes all the surfaces of the brain and the spinal cord. Practitioners of this type of therapy believe that distortions in the natural rhythms of the central nervous system may result from trauma of all sorts including birth trauma, childhood injuries, automobile accidents, even psychological trauma. In addition to treating a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction, cranial work is also increasingly used as a preventative health measure for its’ ability to bolster resistance to disease. The overall effect of a treatment session can be very calming. The patients is clothed and lying on their back, though sometimes asked to curl up on one side.
Osteopathy works under the premise that the cranium, as well as all the other tissues and systems of the body, are in a constant motion. The motion is imparted to all living tissues as a “micro-mobility” termed motility, which is expressed at a frequency that is detectable by the human hand through precise and experienced palpation. This motility is the focus of much scientific research.