Q What is CranioSacral Therapy?
A CranioSacral
Therapy is a very gentle, non-invasive hands on
approach focusing on the craniosacral system of the body. It
is a method of examining and treating your head and body for
restrictions that cause you pain and dysfunction. CranioSacral
More Information and Links:
Therapy addresses the membrane system, cerebralspinal fluid
and the connective tissue that connect the cranium and the
John Upledger DO
sacrum to each other. CST permits improvements in brain and
spinal cord funtion which increases the health of your entire
Hugh Milne
DO
body, enhances your resistance to disease and assists in a re-
turn to optimal function. The light touch employed in this
John Barnes
PT
approach encourages your own natural mechanisms to improve
the functioning of your brain and spinal cord, to dissipate the
Barrett L. Dorko PT
negative effects of stress.
Interesting
Links
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A CranioSacral Therapy
works by releasing restrictions in the fascial
and/or membrane system. The cranial bones and the sacrum
are used as handles to these membranes. The cerebralspinal
fluid circulates within these membranes and has a normal pump-
ing rhythm of 6-12 cycles/minute. By utilizing the cranial bones
and sacrum as handles to these membranes restrictions can be
released and normal rhythm re-established. This has a direct
influence on the hormonal and nervous systems--two of the
systems that govern the body.
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Q When should CranioSacral
Therapy be used?
A
If you experience chronic pain, recent injuries, facial pain,
whiplash, jaw pain and dysfunction, chronic fatique, fibro-
myalgia, depression, anxiety, nervousness, post traumatic
stress disorder or immunosuppressive symptoms, as well
as many other physical and emotional symptoms. CST is
extremely beneficial when used in infants. One of the most
common causes of restrictions and imbalance in the cranio-
sacral system is the birth process itself. Dr John Upledger
has done reserch which found a positive statisical correlation
between restriction in the craniosacral system and a history
of an obsterically complicated delivery. His criteria for
complicated delivery are one or more of the following :
(CranioSacral Therapy, Upledger and Vredevoogd, 1983,
Eastland Press, pp 336-343)
1. Cesarean section, especially without labor.
2. high forceps delivery
3. induction of labor for reasons other than inconvenience
4. fetal distress in utero
5. breech delivery
6. prolonged labor
7. precipitous labor
8. toxemia
9. trauma
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Q How are
CranioSacral Therapy and SomatoEmotional
Release related?
A By monitoring
the craniosacral rhythm the therapist can
locate the part of the body which is holding the results of
emotional or physical trauma. With physical, energetic,
and verbal support the client will be empowered to identify
the problem and find a positive solution and resolution.
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Q Can CranioSacral
Therapy be used when the patient is seeing
other health care practitioners?
A Yes, CST
works well with other therapies and traditional
medical care. Some therapies include chiropractic, dental
accupuncture, physical therapy, massage, counseling, rolfing
psycotherapy, and naturopathy.
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