 
|
|
|
|
Craniosacral Therapy Craniosacral therapy
manipulates the bones of the skull to treat a range of conditions, from
headache and ear infection to stroke, spinal cord injury, and cerebral palsy.
For decades various forms of cranial manipulation have been used to improve
overall body functioning, and today craniosacral
therapy is gaining acceptance by health professionals worldwide as a
successful treatment modality.
Every one of us if familiar with the body’s
cardiac rhythm (heartbeat) and respiratory rhythm (breathing). Yet there is a
third and equally important rhythm known as the craniosacral
rhythm that results from the increase and decrease
in the volume of the cerebrospinal fluid within and around the craniosacral system. Cranio refers to the cranium, or head, and
sacral refers to the base of the spine and tailbone. The craniosacral
system is comprised of the brain and spinal cord (the central nervous
system); the cerebrospinal fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord; the
surrounding meninges (membranes) that enclose the
brain, spinal cord, and cerebrospinal fluid; and the bones of the spine and
skull that house these membranes. There is a rhythmical motion in the craniosacral
system created by the rise and fall of cerebrospinal fluid pressure. An
increase in their pressure occurs as cerebrospinal fluid filters from the
bloodstream and enters the craniosacral system,
causing a predictable movement of the cranial bones. The pressure diminishes
as the cerebrospinal fluid is reabsorbed into the bloodstream though the
inner membranes of the brain, allowing the bones to return to their original
position. The cranial therapist monitors this wavelike motion to determine
any restriction or dysfunction in the craniosacral
system. This subtle rhythm ranges from six to ten cycles per minute, and is
for the most part unaffected by the heart and respiratory rhythms. A cranial therapist is trained to “palpate,”
or feel with his or her hands, the motion of the craniosacral
system as a unified, integrated movement. The touch is extremely gentle and
sensitive, and one is able to diagnose the movement of the system as a whole
by locating critical points of restriction in the cranium. Restrictions that result from injury, inflexibility of the
joints of the spine and cranium, or from dysfunctions in other parts of the
body, can all cause abnormal motion in the craniosacral
system. The abnormal motion leads to stresses in the cranial mechanism, which
can contribute to dysfunction and poor health, especially in the brain and
spinal cord. The purpose of craniosacral therapy is
to enhance the functioning or this important system. In the late 1970’s, John Upledger,
D.O., O.M.M., an osteopathic physician, led a multidisciplinary research team
of anatomists, physiologists, biophysicists, and bioengineers at Tension or restriction in the meninges
creates disturbances in the craniosacral system. A meningeal approach, such as Dr. Upledger’s
CranioSacral Therapy, focuses on releasing restrictions of the cranial
sutures and the underlying membranes through gentle hands-on contact with the
bones of the craniosacral system. The therapist
monitors the rhythmical movement in the craniosacral
system resulting from the increase and decrease in cerebrospinal fluid
pressure. When abnormal motion is detected in the craniosacral
system, the therapist locates the point of restricted movement and brings
about a release by gently tractioning and
elongating the meningeal membranes. Decreased efficiency of the central nervous system contributes
too many chronic and nonspecific conditions, and problems within the craniosacral system are responsible for tremendous
suffering and loss of potential vigor and health. The proper functioning of the craniosacral
system implies improved health for the central nervous system. The proper
alignment of the craniosacral system allows the
nervous system to rest at a more stress-free level. Individuals who
experience craniosacral treatment describe profound
states of relaxation, and of feeling lighter and more integrated. “When there
is synchronous movement in the craniosacral system,
the physiology of the central nervous system functions more efficiently and
the nerve tissue is, in general, healthier.” Craniosacral therapy is used to evaluate and treat problems
involving the brain and spinal cord, especially direct trauma to the head and
spine. Other treatable conditions include chronic pain, headache, temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ), mood disorders,
dyslexia, autism, stroke, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, dizziness, and tinnitus
(ringing in the ear). Also benefited are systemic conditions such as edema
(swelling), recurrent infections, hypotension, hypertension, and some types
of muscular conditions. The entrapments and compressions around the nerve and blood
vessels that pass in and out of the cranium and spine can be alleviated
through craniosacral therapy. Hundreds of small
holes that carry these vessels can become thick with connective tissue and
effectively “choke” the vessels. Craniosacral therapy is rapidly gaining acceptance among health
practitioners and the public. This may be due in part to the nonintrusive nature of this therapy, and how it works
with the entire structure, physiology, mind, and spirit. Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide, Compiled by: The
Burton Goldberg Group Developed by John E. Upledger, DO,
OMM, CranioSacral Therapy enhances the body’s
natural healing processes to improve the operation of the central nervous
system, dissipate the negative effects of stress, enhance health and
strengthen resistance to disease. Among the medical conditions for which CranioSacral Therapy has been
shown to be effective are: • Migraine Headaches • Chronic Neck and Back Pain • Motor-Coordination Impairments • Central Nervous System Disorders • Orthopedic Problems • Scoliosis • Infantile Disorders • Autism • Learning Disabilities • Post-Surgical Dysfunctions • Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injury • Emotional Difficulties • Stress and Tension-Related Problems • Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction • Chronic Fatigue • Neurovascular or Immune Disorders • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder • Fibromyalgia and other Connective
Tissue Disorders
|
