Craniosacral Therapy is a form of alternative medicine or bodywork which employs gentle, light touch on the cranium to palpitate the affected synarthrodial bones. It’s promoted as an effective treatment-all for various neuromuscular and musculoskeletal health issues and is based on basic misconceptions about the anatomy of the skull. For instance, it may treat disorders of the neck or back with the belief that the spine houses them. This is simply not the case. The spine houses the muscles, nerves and connective tissue that all move the bones around, so it would be erroneous to think of it as a cartilage-like covering over the skeletal structure.
The function of the craniosacral therapy session is simple: it intends to discover and stimulate the function of the five sense organs within the brain. The sense organs are the vision center, the hearing center, the taste buds, the olfactory center, and the tactile center of the brain. Each of these has its own specific areas of sensitive, nourishing tissue and neural pathways. By reaching out to each of these nerve centers through acupressure points or cranial therapy, the brain is made more nourished by the practice of craniosacral healing. It’s the neurological implications and the direct benefits to the brain that make it such a profound and beneficial practice.
While this is a fairly straightforward explanation of how craniosacral therapy works, the deeper and more involved question is why it’s particularly effective at combating the effects of chronic pain. To understand this, we have to look beyond the specifics of how it works to understand the cause of pain. Pain exists for a reason: to warn us that something is either truly problematic or not working properly within our bodies. For example, the feeling of pain is most often triggered when something is too tense or out of balance within the body. The same is true for the sensation of “being shaken in the pit of the stomach.”
Chronic tension causes the abdominal muscles to tighten up, creating pressure on the nerves located in the belly area. The result of this increased tension is a feeling of nausea, loss of appetite, general discomfort and difficulty breathing. Underlying symptoms of muscular weakness may make it difficult for patients to engage in typical activities, which can further complicate the situation. When the underlying cause of the problem is found and treated, then the symptoms of pain subsides. However, in the case of chronic pain, the condition may be so bad that the symptoms persist long after the original problem has been solved.
For this reason, it is imperative that the symptoms of this syndrome are addressed as soon as possible. By learning how to perform it in a safe, effective manner, patients can learn to control their own body, and prevent the symptoms from recurring. Many people who have had their symptoms alleviated by craniosacral therapy report that they feel more energetic, happier and healthier overall. Many also report significant improvements in their digestion and the ability to sleep better through the night.
Craniosacral Therapy is most effective when it is used with other health care treatments, such as lifestyle changes, natural relaxation techniques, meditation, acupuncture and chiropractic care. It is intended to improve the overall well-being of someone by helping them release chronic tension and restore their sense of balance and well-being. It can be very helpful in the treatment of many medical conditions, as well as everyday aches and pains and disorders such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, RSD (restless sleeping syndrome) and many others. Patients who are suffering from serious conditions such as RSD, MS (romycotrichosis), should consult their physician before starting any type of holistic or alternative treatment program.
