| Sometimes all the body needs to activate the healing process
is a light touch by a skilled hand. CranioSacral Therapy is a
gentle approach that works to alleviate a range of sensory, motor
or neurological disorders.
It’s no secret that among the keys to good health are
proper nutrition, exercise, a stress-free life (to the extent
that’s possible) and steering clear of harmful habits.
But what about that aspect of health that originates from inside,
within our internal self-healing system? We know that the body
is designed to defend us from disease and assist in healing,
as evidenced every time we fight off a cold or a cut heals.
What we may not be aware of are the innovative hands-on techniques
available to facilitate that process.
CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a light-touch manual approach
that enhances the body’s natural healing capabilities.
For nearly 30 years is has been shown to be effective for a
wide range of medical problems associated with pain and loss
of function. CST is useful as both a primary treatment method
and combined with other traditional or complementary techniques.
How CST Works
The CranioSacral Therapy practitioner works with the patient
to assist the body’s self-correcting mechanisms. Generally
using about five grams of pressure, or about the weight of
a nickel, the practitioner evaluates the body’s craniosacral
system. This system plays a vital role of maintaining the environment
in which the central nervous system functions. It consists
of the membranes and fluid that surround and protect the brain
and spinal cord as well as the attached bones including the
skull, face and mouth, which make up the cranium, and the tailbone
area, or sacrum. Since the brain and spinal cord are contained
within the central nervous system, it is easy to see that the
craniosacral system has powerful influence over a wide variety
of bodily functions.
The CranioSacral Therapy practitioner essentially helps the
body release restrictions which it has been unable to overcome
on its own that inhibit the body’s normal, self-correcting
tendencies. Rather than deciding how these changes should be
made, the therapist follows cues from the body on how to proceed.
When the therapist follows this gentle approach, the method
is extremely safe and effective. The few contraindications
to CST are aneurysm, intracranial hemorrhage, and other conditions
where altering intracranial fluid is not recommended.
Benefits of CranioSacral Therapy
CST has been shown to alleviate a wide range of conditions,
including traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, migraine
headaches, chronic fatigue, motor-coordination impairments,
chronic neck and back pain, scoliosis, central nervous system
disorders, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), stress
and tension-related problems, and orthopedic problems. While
the focus of CST is to uncover the source of the problem, symptom
relief also is achieved. The length of time and number of sessions
needed is extremely variable and depends, among other factors,
on the complex layers of injury and trauma that may mask the
original cause of the problem as well as the body’s defense
mechanisms. Due to its gentleness and effectiveness, many people
include CST as a component in their personal wellness programs.
They report having more energy, sleeping better and being sick
less often.
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