Foundations of CranioSacral Therapy

CranioSacral Treatment

While treatment practices vary amongst practitioners somewhat there are many who utilize the standard 10 Step Protocol developed by Dr. Upledger.

Despite variations there are some common elements. It is generally agreed that it is the practitioners duty to “listen and learn, support and allow, so that an optimal state of health can be realized.” (ww.osteodoc.com) The concept of “listening “ to the clients body dominates CranioSacral literature. Hearing what the body needs and where restrictions are, allows assistance to be given where it is most needed. There is no outside methodology that applies to all clients, a notion that is common in allopathic medicine. 

TREATMENT DELIVERY

Generally clients lie clothed in a supine position in a quiet relaxed treatment room. Contact pressure varies but is generally no greater than 5 grams weight, to detect and read the CranioSacral rhythm at various places throughout the body in order to determine where blockages of flow are located. Through the application of gentle pressure at the five main transverse diaphragms: at the pelvic floor, respiratory diaphragm, thoracic outlet, hyoid, and sub-occipital ledge, constrictions affecting the flow of CSR at the dura matter can be alleviated. Though known for its gentle head work with placing of practitioners hands at sutures of the cranium, the treatments can be applied to any area of the body needing realignment. The affect of the treatments is most commonly, a state of deep relaxation. Clients often report a sense of internal space not previously detected and may feel as if the Central Nervous System has somehow been gently recalibrated.

SUCCESS OF TREATMENT

The range of pathologies positively affected by CranioSacral treatments is broad. The calm, gentle application of treatment itself makes it suitable for  even the most acute or vulnerable patient. For this reason it is ideal for offering comfort to the most sensitive of patients, such as: palliative, newborn, fragile seniors, burn victims or the mentally ill. While anyone can benefit from treatments, the non invasive nature of cranio treatment delivery, makes it a popular option for such delicate populations.

Special mention is made of the encouragement for CranioSacral treatment to be given to children born via Caesarean section in particular. As this delivery method misses the crucial Primary Pump action, Sutherland’s title for the passage through the birth canal, which inherently squeezes the bowel clear, expresses fluid from infant lungs, and compresses the pituitary gland deep within the brain, initiating all the essential functions of life outside the womb. Cranio on newborns delivered via Caesarean can engage these essential switches gently, ensuring a best start for the long range health of these children.

CONCUSSION

Much recent research shows relief from concussion and post concussion symptoms with Cranio treatments. 

https://www.massagemag.com/craniosacral-therapys-concussions-and-cte-88271/

Although Concussion research is yet ongoing, thankfully the field is seeing deeper medical investigation. Studies now indicate that women and men are affected by concussion differently. Women’s symptoms often are more severe and longer lasting than those of men.

While brain bleeds increase inter-cranial pressure, so do, acute head traumas. For this reason, acute head trauma and recent strokes are contraindicated for CranioSacral treatments. Only once inter cranial pressure is reduced, can treatments safely begin. 

Due to CranioSacral treatment’s affect on inter-membrane tension, the light touch treatment can offer significant relief by reducing fluid pressure in the cranium cavity, and thereby reduce compression on nerves; creating immediate symptom relief for many. 

Clinical studies on treating PTSD in military personel have also shown benefit with Cranio and Visceral Manipulation techniques (another modality born of osteopathic foundations.) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5580370/

If in doubt about treatment timelines after acute head trauma, contact a CranioSacral practitioner to discuss your specific case and safest treatment options.

CONCLUSION

The safety of delivery offered by this gentle technique, combined with the growing list of conditions it has been shown to assist, should act to encourage mainstream allopathic medicine to grant more studies into the clinical affects of CranioSacral treatments. An abundance of peer reviewed medical literature will help make the treatment more well known and give consumers a greater sense of credibility in the practice. While this is ongoing, practitioners should feel confident that this modality can offer relief to a broad range of clientele presenting with a host of symptoms.