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Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, non-invasive therapy which enhances health and resistance to disease, as well as helping to correct imbalances underlying illness or disfunction.
The craniosacral system includes the cranial bones, spinal column to the sacrum, and the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds and nourishes the brain and spinal cord. The client is fully clothed while the practitioner gently assesses the cranial sutures and the craniosacral rhythm for potential restrictions and imbalances. Restrictions on the movement of the cranial sacral system anywhere in the body can cause disfunctions in the brain, the sensory system and the rest of the body. Treatment is done with a light touch to release problem areas and relieve undue pressure on the brain and spinal cord.
It was thought by Western medical practitioners that cranial bone sutures became rigid and bony as children grew. This belief was passed down from the English medical profession, who used cadavers preserved in formaldehyde. The Italian anatomists worked with fresh cadavers and record in their texts that some elasticity of cranial sutures is normal and necessary.
Dr. William Sutherland set out to disprove the idea of cranial bone movement, but his research led him to the conclusion that cranial suture restrictions actually do impair the functions of the body and the brain, through restrictions of the Breathe of life (the rhythmical cerebrospinal fluid system). He devoted the rest of his life to this work and to teaching what became known as cranial osteopathy.
Dr. John Upledger has further refined the knowledge and treatment of the craniosacral system.
Through the dissection of fresh cadavers, Dr. Upledger discovered that there is a nerve the connects the third ventricles to the sagittal suture of the cranium. This finding is consistant with his assertations that the craniosacral system is a semi-closed pressurestat system. It is the ebb and flow of cerebrospinal fluid that is responsible for the subtle rhythmic movements through the body which Sutherland called the Breathe of Life.
There is a growing body of knowledge of the positive effects of craniosacral therapy on numerous health conditions.
As well as its use in improving health, CST is also demonstrating good results in supportive treatment of learning disabilities, sensory issues, vision, AD/HD and the autism spectrum. In the latter, it is particularly helpful in reducing stress and anxiety.
CST has been helpful for the following:
- Migraines, neck and back pain
- Chronic illness
- Learning disabilities, sensory challenges, motor coordination impairments
- Autism
- Temporomandibular joint disfunction
- stress, anxiety
- neurological trauma
- and many other conditions
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