CRANIO-SACRAL THERAPY
Cranio-Sacral Therapy, or CST, is a gentle, hands-on manipulation of a physiological body system called the cranio-sacral system. This system is comprised of the soft
tissue and bones of the cranium (or head), the spine and the pelvis. Massage therapists that perform cranio-sacral therapy also target the membranes and
cerebrospinal fluids that surround and cushion the brain and spinal cord from injury during a therapy session.
Cranio-sacral therapy is practiced by a plethora of health professionals most commonly physical therapists, massage therapists and chiropractors - who employ a touch equivalent to the weight of a nickel. As a result of this tender technique, many clients claim that they can fall asleep during their CST sessions.
The theory behind cranio-sacral therapy is that when blockages occur in spinal fluid, an unharmonious balance in the body can occur, resulting in muscle and
joint strain, emotional disturbances and the improper operation of the bodys organs and central nervous system. Practitioners believe that until the spinal
fluid is naturally allowed to move freely around the body, the central nervous system and the bodys other major organs and muscles will be put off balance and
put at risk of sickness and injury.
During your cranio-sacral therapy session, you will lie facing upwards on a massage table. You can opt to be fully-clothed or you can wear a gown. The massage therapist will lightly manipulate various areas of your body including your bones, skull, spine, pelvis and soft tissues to clear any blockages of
cerebrospinal fluid to allow the fluid to flow more smoothly and naturally.
A cranio-sacral therapy session typically lasts, at minimum, 20 minutes, but asession can last up to an hour, depending on the seriousness of your condition.
CST has been known to aid various health problems such as migraine headaches, sinus disorders and immune deficiencies. CST has also been used as a
preventative therapy in cases where a clients immune system is very low.
Minor health ailments such as chronic headaches can typically be treated with a few CST sessions. However more serious health conditions that cause severe pain or chronic disease should be conducted over a series of weekly CST sessions.
Background of Cranio-Sacral
Craniosacral therapy is a light touch therapy that focuses on releasing stress and tension from the whole body. It was developed as an offshoot of cranial osteopathy originally developed by osteopaths. Craniosacral Therapy, the system most widely used today was developed by Dr. John Upledger, an osteopath. He researched the therapy at Michigan State University in the late 1970’s. Based on research he then developed the 10-step protocol which is the basic routine most craniosacral therapists follow.
What does it do?
Therapists use the craniosacral rhythm to determine where restrictions might exist in the body. These restrictions or adhesions are often the result of injury or surgery to the body. Releasing these restrictions can be help with a wide variety of musculoskeletal complaints.
What can I expect?
Craniosacral is an extremely gentle process done while the client is fully dressed. It involves the therapist placing their hands from the tail bone (sacrum) to
the head (cranio). The therapist then gently follows the person’s body with their hands until restrictions are felt and softened, or released.
What are the reported benefits?
Deeply relaxing
Can be helpful for a wide variety of health problems, most notably headaches, migraines, TMJ dysfunction, chronic pain issues, birth trauma*.
*Please note that most craniosacral therapists are not physicians or osteopaths. If you have a specific medical complaint then it is recommended that you seek out medical help first and foremost.
Cranio-Sacral Therapy, or CST, is a gentle, hands-on manipulation of a physiological body system called the cranio-sacral system. This system is comprised of the soft
tissue and bones of the cranium (or head), the spine and the pelvis. Massage therapists that perform cranio-sacral therapy also target the membranes and
cerebrospinal fluids that surround and cushion the brain and spinal cord from injury during a therapy session.
Cranio-sacral therapy is practiced by a plethora of health professionals most commonly physical therapists, massage therapists and chiropractors - who employ a touch equivalent to the weight of a nickel. As a result of this tender technique, many clients claim that they can fall asleep during their CST sessions.
The theory behind cranio-sacral therapy is that when blockages occur in spinal fluid, an unharmonious balance in the body can occur, resulting in muscle and
joint strain, emotional disturbances and the improper operation of the bodys organs and central nervous system. Practitioners believe that until the spinal
fluid is naturally allowed to move freely around the body, the central nervous system and the bodys other major organs and muscles will be put off balance and
put at risk of sickness and injury.
During your cranio-sacral therapy session, you will lie facing upwards on a massage table. You can opt to be fully-clothed or you can wear a gown. The massage therapist will lightly manipulate various areas of your body including your bones, skull, spine, pelvis and soft tissues to clear any blockages of
cerebrospinal fluid to allow the fluid to flow more smoothly and naturally.
A cranio-sacral therapy session typically lasts, at minimum, 20 minutes, but asession can last up to an hour, depending on the seriousness of your condition.
CST has been known to aid various health problems such as migraine headaches, sinus disorders and immune deficiencies. CST has also been used as a
preventative therapy in cases where a clients immune system is very low.
Minor health ailments such as chronic headaches can typically be treated with a few CST sessions. However more serious health conditions that cause severe pain or chronic disease should be conducted over a series of weekly CST sessions.
Background of Cranio-Sacral
Craniosacral therapy is a light touch therapy that focuses on releasing stress and tension from the whole body. It was developed as an offshoot of cranial osteopathy originally developed by osteopaths. Craniosacral Therapy, the system most widely used today was developed by Dr. John Upledger, an osteopath. He researched the therapy at Michigan State University in the late 1970’s. Based on research he then developed the 10-step protocol which is the basic routine most craniosacral therapists follow.
What does it do?
Therapists use the craniosacral rhythm to determine where restrictions might exist in the body. These restrictions or adhesions are often the result of injury or surgery to the body. Releasing these restrictions can be help with a wide variety of musculoskeletal complaints.
What can I expect?
Craniosacral is an extremely gentle process done while the client is fully dressed. It involves the therapist placing their hands from the tail bone (sacrum) to
the head (cranio). The therapist then gently follows the person’s body with their hands until restrictions are felt and softened, or released.
What are the reported benefits?
Deeply relaxing
Can be helpful for a wide variety of health problems, most notably headaches, migraines, TMJ dysfunction, chronic pain issues, birth trauma*.
*Please note that most craniosacral therapists are not physicians or osteopaths. If you have a specific medical complaint then it is recommended that you seek out medical help first and foremost.