Craniosacral Therapy

What is Craniosacral Therapy?

Craniosacral therapy or CST is a hands-on, non-invasive therapy that activates the body’s ability to heal itself. https://www.upledger.com/therapies/index.php . Craniosacral therapy is a subtle manual therapy that involves tiny manipulations performed on the skull, pelvis, and spine.

CST affects the circulation and pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid cushions and surrounds the spinal cord and brain. A pulse in the craniosacral fluid produced by light pressure acts as a tidal wave in the nervous system. The cranio sacral fluid circulates through the central nervous system six to ten times per minute. Improving circulation helps to relieve numerous symptoms and improves mobility in your joints, muscles, and tissues.

What is Craniosacral Therapy?

Practitioners use craniosacral therapy alone or in conjunction with other therapies to relieve pain and correct dysfunction. Cranio sacral therapy can relieve a number of conditions, including:

ADD/ADHD and autism
Anxiety and panic attacks
Back pain
Brain injuries
Central nervous system disorders
Chronic fatigue
Colic
Constipation
Dementia/ Alzheimer’s
Dyslexia
Emotional issues
Fascial pain
Fibromyalgia
Immune disorders

Insomnia and disturbed sleep cycles
Irritable bowel syndrome
Learning disabilities
Migraines and headaches
Mood disorders
Motor coordination impairments
Neck pain
Nervous system disorders
Orthopedic problems
Post traumatic stress disorder
Scoliosis
Spinal cord injuries
Temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ)
Trauma recovery

Typically, a craniosacral therapist will recommend between three and ten sessions. In addition to these sessions, patients will need to do maintenance sessions to ensure the craniosacral area is still functioning properly. Your craniosacral therapy specialist will determine the number of treatments you need to maintain optimal health and maximize pain relief.

Understanding the Procedure

Typically, you will remain fully clothed during the procedure, so be sure to wear comfortable clothing. The procedure will take approximately one hour. The practitioner will apply approximately five grams of pressure on your sacrum head, or feet to determine the rhythm of the fluids surrounding the central nervous system.

During your treatment, you may experience a variety of sensations as the cerebrospinal fluids are normalized, including:

A deep sense of relaxation
Drifting off to sleep; later you may recall seeing colors or have memories of the therapy
Pulsing sensations
Feeling pins and needle sensations
Hot and cold sensations

All of these sensations are normal as the cerebrospinal fluids move from area to area and become rebalanced. Your therapist may reposition you, press certain areas of the body, or use tissue release methods to help you relax and improve the effectiveness of your therapy. Each of these mechanisms is used to help regulate and normalize the cerebrospinal fluids to boost immunity, provide pain relief, and enhance your overall health and well-being.

Benefits of Craniosacral Therapy

This gentle hands-on therapy helps relieve tension and stress in the nervous system, the muscles, and the organs to help improve their function. After a therapy session, patients feel a deep sense of relaxation. Cranio sacral therapy offers many benefits such as:

Alleviate a range of dysfunctions and illnesses, including chronic pain, sinusitis, hormonal imbalances, and more
Better performance of the autonomic nervous system, which can help the body respond better to stress
Enhanced immune function
Improve energy flow
Increase mobility by releasing bone and tissue restrictions
Promote relaxation and revitalization
Release tension
Relieve pain

Who Should Avoid Craniosacral Therapy

Certain individuals should not seek out CST. If you have had any of the following issues, speak with a doctor and get cleared before seeking out CS therapy.

Blood clots
Brain aneurysm
Cerebral swelling
Concussion
Structural defects in the cerebellum like Arnold Chiari malformation
Traumatic brain syndrome

If you have a medical issue that causes problems with your cerebrospinal fluid, precautions should be taken. Before undergoing treatment, speak with your doctor or practitioner to see if you are healthy enough to undergo CST.

Cranial sacral therapy has a very low risk of side effects. This hands-on therapy relieves pressure and is often a preferred pain relief therapy over those wishing to avoid prescription medications. Typically, you will begin to experience relief within as little three to five sessions.

How Can We Help?

Experiencing chronic pain, fibromyalgia, migraines, or anxiety? Need help to get back your health and enjoy life again. Our integrative practitioners specialize in pain relief using a combination of techniques including Craniosacral therapy, Acupuncture and more. Contact us today to schedule your appointment for craniosacral therapy.