What is CranioSacral Therapy?
CranioSacral Therapy or (CST) was pioneered and developed by osteopathic physician John E. Upledger following extensive scientific studies from 1975 to 1983 at Michigan State University, where he served as a clinical researcher and Professor of Biomechanics.
CST is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system - comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.
CST works by releasing restrictions around the brain and spinal cord to enhance central nervous system performance and allow the body to heal itself. This is done using a soft touch generally no greater than 5 grams, or about the weight of a nickel, practitioners release these restrictions in the craniosacral system to improve the functioning of the central nervous system.
By complementing the body's natural healing processes, CST is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability to bolster resistance to disease and improve overall health. It is effective for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction, including:
• Migraine Headaches
• Chronic Neck and Back Pain
• Motor-Coordination Impairments
• Colic
• Autism
• Central Nervous System Disorders
• Orthopedic Problems
• Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries
• Scoliosis
• Infantile Disorders
• Learning Disabilities
• Chronic Fatigue
• Emotional Difficulties
• Stress and Tension-Related Problems
• Fibromyalgia and other Connective-Tissue Disorders
• Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ)
• Neurovascular or Immune Disorders
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Post-Surgical Dysfunction
What Can I Expect From A CranioSacral Therapy Session?
A typical CranioSacral Therapy session lasts from 45 minutes to an hour, and takes place in a quiet, private setting. The practitioner will stand or sit positioned at various points of your head, torso or feet. At times your practitioner may also support your limbs and spine while helping your body release accumulated tension.
What you experience during a CST session is highly individual. Some people say they feel deeply relaxed, while others describe feeling unwinding sensations as the body releases tension. You may even recall circumstances surrounding a past trauma or injury that caused your body stress. While it doesn't occur in every session, this aspect of the process – called SomatoEmotional Release [
see below] – is perfectly normal, and helps the body reverse dysfunction and restore optimal levels of mobility.
Because each individual response to CST is unique, the number of sessions needed to resolve any particular condition varies widely. While one session may give you the relief you need, your situation may require more therapy before it’s completely alleviated. Your therapist can best advise you in this area.
What Will I Experience After A Session?
Just as each individual experiences CST sessions differently, the results can be diverse as well. You may leave in such a relaxed state that you feel like sleeping for hours. Or you may leave full of boundless energy. You may feel a decrease in pain or an increase in function immediately after the session, or the effects may develop gradually over the next few days.
Since CST helps the body resume its natural healing processes, it’s common for your improvements to continue weeks after the session. You may also experience a reorganization phase as your body releases previously held patterns and adapts to a new state of wellness.
Are There Any Conditions That Shouldn't Be Addressed With CranioSacral Therapy?
There are a few situations in which CST is not recommended. They include any condition in which slight variations in intracranial pressure would cause instability, such as acute aneurysm, recent skull fracture, and cerebral hemorrhage or other severe bleeding disorder. If you have any questions about whether these situations apply to you, seek the advice of your physician before receiving a CST session.
CranioSacral Therapy (CST) will be offered on a sliding scale between $80 - $120 for one hour of
CST, you choose what you can afford.
Somatoemotional Release:
Somatoemotional Release or (SER) is a therapeutic process that uses and expands on the principles of CranioSacral Therapy to help rid the mind and body of the residual effects of trauma. SER offers applications designed to enhance results using CST and other complementary therapies. Some of the benefits of SER include:
• Locating and releasing Energy Cysts.
• Releasing suppressed emotions that may be inhibiting complete structural releases.
