What is CranioSacral Therapy?
According to the Upledger Institute, CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is defined as :
“a gentle, hands-on approach that releases tensions deep in the body to relieve pain and dysfunction and improve whole-body health and performance. It was pioneered and developed by Osteopathic Physician John E. Upledger after years of clinical testing and research at Michigan State University where he served as professor of biomechanics.
Frequently Asked Questions
CST facilitates the release of restrictions in the craniosacral system. The release of restrictions can range from musculoskeletal tensions creating pain or dysfunction, visceral tensions creating pain, dysfunction or impairment to circulation, day-to-day or emotional stress creating anxiety, pain, dysfunction, and/or insomnia:
At Zenses in Health, we have also seen CST help with endocrine-related conditions, such as menstrual or menopausal symptoms and efficiency in detoxification, for example, eczema. Talk to our therapist to discuss your situation.
There are certain situations where application of CST would not be recommended. These include conditions where a variation and/or slight increase in intracranial pressure would cause instability. Acute aneurysm, cerebral hemorrhage or other preexisting severe bleeding disorders are examples of conditions that could be affected by small intracranial pressure changes.
Response to CST varies from individual to individual and condition to condition. Your response is uniquely your own and can’t be compared to anyone else’s – even those cases that may appear to be similar to your own. The number of sessions needed varies widely – from just one up to three or more a week over the course of several weeks.
At Zenses in Health, we have clients who get relief from acute sprained ankle with as few as one treatment. We also have clients who receive weekly treatments and is improving with years of chronic health condition.
Few structures have as much influence over the body’s ability to function properly as the brain and spinal cord that make up the central nervous system. And, the central nervous system is heavily influenced by the craniosacral system – the membranes and fluid that surround, protect and nourish the brain and spinal cord.
Every day your body endures stresses and strains that it must work to compensate for. Unfortunately, these changes often cause body tissues to tighten and distort the craniosacral system. These distortions can then cause tension to form around the brain and spinal cord resulting in restrictions. This can create a barrier to the healthy performance of the central nervous system, and potentially every other system it interacts with.
Fortunately, such restrictions can be detected and corrected using simple methods of touch. With a light touch, the CST practitioner uses his or her hands to evaluate the craniosacral system by gently feeling various locations of the body to test for the ease of motion and rhythm of the cerebrospinal fluid pulsing around the brain and spinal cord. Soft-touch techniques are then used to release restrictions in any tissues influencing the craniosacral system.
By normalizing the environment around the brain and spinal cord and enhancing the body’s ability to self-correct, CranioSacral Therapy is able to alleviate a wide variety of dysfunctions, from chronic pain and sports injuries to stroke and neurological impairment.
CST is suitable for all ages. A much slighter touch will be used on babies and children than adult.
At Zenses in Health, we focus on children ages 2 and up and female.
CST is developed from the anatomy and physiology of human by Dr. John Upledger. Click the link below to watch a video explaining CranioSacral Therapy: