What is Craniosacral (crane-e-o sacral) Therapy?

What is Craniosacral Therapy?
Craniosacral Therapy started in the osteopathic community in the early 1900’s as a way to feel restrictions in the cranial bones and fascia.  By freeing the cranial bones and the fascia, the practitioner is able to assist the body in regaining normal function in the nervous, lymph, hormonal, myofascial, and gastrointestinal systems.  Craniosacral Therapy is a whole-person therapy focusing on the belief that the body knows exactly how to heal.  The role of the physician is to help you heal yourself and facilitate the healing process. The primary goal in a Craniosacral session is to not only treat your condition, but maximize your health overall.

What is involved in a Craniosacral Session?
Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle, non-invasive hands-on therapy that follows the subtle movement of your fascia and connective tissue.  The physician will lightly place (less that a nickel weight of pressure) his/her hands on areas of restriction that facilitate the body to gently release fixations.  During the session the person is fully clothed and the therapist evaluates restrictions in movement from different parts of the body.  A session usually lasts one hour, but can vary depending on the condition.

What do people usually experience with Craniosacral Therapy?
Most people feel very relaxed and some even fall asleep.  Many people can feel the movement inside their bodies and describe it like they are floating on water. Tingling and heat are also commonly felt as fixations are released.  Because Craniosacral therapy is so relaxing, most people can tap into their subconscious and identify blocks to healing and belief patterns that are preventing total health.  This dialog represents the most powerful and deep healing that can take place.  Many unresolved issues can be resolved with this therapy.

What is this fascia that Craniosacral therapist follow?
The connective tissue of the body is derived from the third layer of cells in the embryo which evolves into the entire system of muscles, connective tissue, and bones.  Fascia forms a transparent network of casings and transparent sheets around virtually every functional unit of the body.  Each muscle is surrounded by fascia that allows each muscle to slide across one another with uninhibited movement.  A recent paper by Oshman summarizing research on fascia actually describes this network as extending though smaller and smaller fibers down to the individual cell across cell membranes to connect with the cell nuclei and DNA/RNA.  “Taken as a whole system, the connective tissues resemble a 3-D body stocking or a union suit with a place for everything in it”.  By following fascial movement one can facilitate change on a cellular and even gene level.  (Keelman, Stanley.  Emotional Anatomy)

What are fixations or adhesions and how do they get there?
Many different processes create fixations or adhesions in fascia.  Trauma, accidents, injuries are all major events that can not only damage bones but also muscles, nerves, and fascial tissues.  Scar tissue tends to be shorter and less flexible than original fascia, so surgery or other trauma can alter the balance of the fascial network.   Fevers, chemicals, and hormones can also alter the collagen substance causing muscle to become glued together and unable to slide across each other to work independently.  The enormous pressure involved in the birth process can produce fascial fixations in children.

Are there any harmful effects of Craniosacral Therapy?
Since Craniosacral Therapy puts your body in charge of healing there are no harmful effects from the craniosacral itself. A well-trained therapist will always follow your body and work with you to heal on many different levels.  Some particular hand positions have contraindications if you have increased intracranial pressure from a major head injury, or if there is a malformation genetically; however, they are rare and your craniosacral therapist will be aware of these things.

Is Craniosacral Therapy scientific and effective?
Yes, Craniosacral Therapy has more research behind it than any other hands-on therapy.  Craniosacral therapy was developed in the 1900’s as a part of osteopathic medicine.  Doctors (Dos) worked with the head (cranium) and the tailbone (sacrum).  Since then it has evolved to treat the entire body.  Many controlled studies as well as retrospective studies have proven the effectiveness of Craniosacral Therapy.

What is Craniosacral Therapy especially good at treating?
Migraines/ Headaches
Chronic Neck and Back Pain/ Injuries/ Scoliosis/ Sciatica/ Disc Herniation
Arthritis/ Other Rheumatic conditions
Motor-Coordination Impairments
Common Pediatric Conditions: Colic/ Allergies/ Ear Infections/ Autism
Central Nervous System Disorders/ Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries
Fatigue/ Chronic fatigue
Gastrointestial Problems: Ulcers/ Irritable Bowel Syndrome/ Crohn’s Disease/ Diarrhea/ Constipation/ Reflux
Learning Disabilities/ Hyperactivity
Female Pelvic Problems: PMS/ Painful cramps/ Chronic Urinary Tract Infections/ Endometriosis
Anxiety/ Depression/ Other mood disorders
Stress and Tension-Related Problems
Fibromyalgia and other Connective-Tissue or Autoimmune  Disorders
Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ)
Neurovascular or Immune Disorders
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-Surgical Dysfunction

Do I need to stop other therapies if I receive Craniosacral Therapy?
NO.  Many other therapies such as chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, and homeopathy are complementary to Craniosacral Therapy and will facilitate your body regaining health.  The goals of treatment are to bring your body into optimal health, with treatments then being used as maintenance.