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Definition
Craniosacral therapy is a holistic, hands-on technique involving gentle
manipulation of the bones of the skull, the underlying meningeal
membranes, and the nerve endings in the scalp.
Purpose
Craniosacral therapy is employed to treat a range of conditions from
headaches, dizziness, and whiplash to sinus and ear infections.
Release of abnormal pressure in the skull is believed to correct
imbalances in the cerebrospinal fluid system and allow the body to better
heal itself and maintain health.
Precautions
Since the practitioner's hands apply only gentle pressure to the skull,
this noninvasive technique is virtually without danger to the patient.
Description
Cranial
manipulation has existed as a therapy since the 1930s, when an American
osteopath, William Garner Sutherland, first theorized that because the
bones of the skull were not fused into a single piece but rather had seams
and could be moved slightly, perhaps their manipulation could have some
effect on a person's health.
He then discovered that compression of the skull had an effect due to the
pressure exerted on the cerebrospinal fluid that permanently surrounds and
bathes the brain and spinal cord.
He also postulated that this fluid has a natural, rise- and-fall rhythm of
its own that an experienced hand can detect.
He argued that the trained hand also could detect spots on the skull that
cause points of restriction, leading to abnormal fluid rhythm. He believed
that this irregular rhythm could lead to dysfunction and poor health.
Modern craniosacral therapists are trained to manipulate the
meninges as well as the seams of the skull (and sometimes the bones of the
face).
These underlying meningeal membranes cover the brain and the entire
length of the spinal cord, extending from the skull to the sacrum at the
end of the spine.
During a consultation, the practitioner usually will
have the patient lie on a massage table and will palpate gently the
patient's skull and spine.
This
touching is essential to the practitioner who must be able to "listen"
with her hands to what is called the cranial rhythmic impulse. This
pulsation is distinct from both the familiar cardiovascular pulse and the
normal breathing rhythm.
To the experienced practitioner, this pulse has a
cycle of three seconds of inflow and three seconds of rest, averaging 10
cycles per minute. Interruption of the inflow by abnormal restrictions,
such as from an injury, or by abnormal tension patterns may result in
problems such as dizziness, migraine headaches, and sinus problems.
Once the practitioner identifies these patterns of congestion or
resistance and locates their cause, he gently performs the manipulation,
freeing the resistance and restoring the natural balance to the pulse.
Risks
The pressure exerted on the skull by the practitioner is focused but
gentle, and the sutures of the bones allow only the slightest of movement.
Therefore, there is virtually no risk involved in the hands of a qualified
practitioner.
Although it is safe for people of all ages from newborns to the elderly,
this therapy should not be used to the exclusion of conventional medicine
in case a serious disease is involved.
Normal Results
For adults, craniosacral therapy can be especially useful in treating
problems of the head, such as migraines, tinnitus, and sinus problems, as
well as for injuries to the head, neck, and spine.
For children, it is
often used after a traumatic delivery to treat chronic ear infections.
Others claim it can help with problems of constant crying, colic, and
hyperactivity. |
