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Craniosacral Therapy: What Is It? |
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What is Craniosacral Therapy?
Most people know about the body’s two main rhythms; the cardiac rhythm (heartbeat) and the respiratory rhythm (breathing). Yet there is a lesser known but equally important third rhythm known as the craniosacral rhythm that results from the increase and decrease in the volume of cerebrospinal fluid within and around the craniosacral system.
Cranio refers to the cranium, or head, and sacral refers to the base of the spine and tailbone. The craniosacral system is comprised of the brain and spinal cord (the central nervous system); the cerebrospinal fluid that bathes the brain, spinal cord, and cerebrospinal fluid; and the bones of the spine and skull that houses these membranes.
There is a rhythmical motion in the craniosacral system created by the rise and fall of cerebrospinal fluid pressure. An increase in this pressure occurs as cerebrospinal fluid filters from the bloodstream and enters the craniosacral system, causing a predictable movement of the cranial bones. The pressure diminishes as the cerebrospinal fluid is reabsorbed into the bloodstream through the inner membranes of the brain, allowing the bones to return to their original position. The cranial therapist monitors this wavelike motion to determine any restriction or dysfunction in the craniosacral system. This subtle rhythm ranges from six to ten cycles per minute, and is for the most part unaffected by the heart and respiratory rhythms.
A cranial therapist is trained to “palpate,” or feel with his or her hands, the motion of the craniosacral system as a unified, integrated movement. The touch is extremely gentle and sensitive, and one is able to diagnose the movement of the system as a whole by locating critical points in the cranium. Restrictions that result from injury, inflexibility of the joints of the spine and cranium, or from dysfunctions in other parts of the body, can all cause abnormal motion in the craniosacral system. The abnormal motion leads to stresses in the cranial mechanism which can contribute to dysfunction and poor health, especially in the brain and spinal cord. The purpose of craniosacral therapy is to enhance the functioning of this important system.
Imbalances in the craniosacral mechanism often begin at birth; difficult delivery, extended period of engagement, incorrect application of forceps, even suction can produce severe stresses and distortions of the cranial tissues. This can adversely affect the baby’s general health. At this stage in life, the baby’s head is soft, and easy respond to gentle corrections from a cranialsacral therapist. Later in life, chronic ear infections can easily be treated by freeing up the sacrum and re-establishing a natural rhythm. As adults, head trauma frequently results in intractable headaches that can respond favorably to a few cranial treatments.
Cranialsacral therapy is rapidly gaining acceptance among health practitioners and the public. This may be due in part to the non intrusive nature of this therapy, and how it works with the entire structure, physiology, mind and spirit.
Dr. Joseph Wysoki
June 22, 2005
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