Think of when you spread a sheet on a bed.
It lies there as it is until you tug on one part of it.
When you pull on it, it creates wrinkles originating at the point where you have grabbed it to pull.
But the disturbed area extends far beyond the point where you have grabbed it;
it can even be wrinkled all the way at the other side of the sheet.
A pattern of wrinkles stays until you smooth it out.
In the same way, getting injured is like grabbing on that sheet and not letting go.
And how many times do we get little bumps that the body is not able to dissipate or overextend a stretch, as well as more traumatic injuries. A pattern of wrinkles is formed which is actually body tension.
You see, the body has connective tissue called fascia which is just like that sheet on your bed. It weaves the whole body together. It separates the body cavities, covers all the organs, covers and separates the muscle layers and extends to the bones, covers the brain and spinal cord as well as all the nerves, covers the blood vessels as they branch smaller and smaller and even extends to the cellular level.
Imagine the pattern of tension created by the history of all those bumps or overextensions. The body accumulates quite a few wrinkles in the fascia, experienced as body tension. Now, the tension may not feel like a tight muscle, or it might. But most certainly it affects the function of the structures and organs it surrounds.
Body fascia is somewhat mobile under normal conditions. It allows your heart to beat and lungs to expand. It also allows for bigger movements like throwing a ball. Boney alignments and misalignments are maintained by this fascia membrane system holding tension. So if you wonder why you don't hold a boney adjustment, it is because the fascia has not been released, and it pulls the bones into their previous misalignment.
The CranioSacral system is a part of this system of fascia. It consists of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. It extends from the bones of the skull, face and mouth, which make up the cranium, down to the sacrum, just above the tailbone. These bones are directly attached to the membrane system through the fascia.
This fascia transmits the small movements of your body, from your heart beat to a subtle expansion and contraction of the CranioSacral system, producing rhythms. This CranioSacral rhythm is caused by the increase and decrease of cerebrospinal fluid produced and reabsorbed at a regular rate within and around the brain and spinal cord. It can be palpated with the hands anywhere on the body. It is similar to the rhythms from the heartbeat and breathing, but is definitely distinct. The CranioSacral rhythm tends to be 6 to 12 cycles per minute with a unique feel.
When felt in different parts of the body, the CranioSacral rhythm can be used to evaluate imbalance. This imbalance, especially when found in the head and sacrum points to a disturbance of body function. Symptoms most likely are associated with this disturbance in body function.
Imagine all the ways this vital CranioSacral system influences the development and performance of the brain and spinal cord! An imbalance or restriction in it could potentially cause a variety of sensory, motor, or neurological disabilities.
Example of conditions addressed by CranioSacral Therapy:
I can help the body reestablish balance with the gentle subtle techniques of CranioSacral Therapy. This facilitates the body in regaining normal function.
My goal is to be as unobtrusive as possible in evaluating and treating the CranioSacral system. A light touch of no more than the weight of a nickel is used.
First the horizontal membrane systems, such as the diaphragm, are addressed. Then the bones of the head are evaluated and treated to ensure that there is free movement between them. Moving down the spine to the sacrum, all segments are allowed to move freely. Then also other restrictions anywhere in the body may be addressed. All done with a light touch, the technique assists the hydraulic forces inherent in the CranioSacral system to release restrictions and strengthen its ability to heal itself.
Dr. John Upledger has been instrumental in developing and disseminating CranioSacral therapy. He was influenced by Dr. William Sutherland's system of examination and treatment called Cranial Osteopathy. He led clinical research at Michigan State University to scientifically confirm the existence of the CranioSacral system and document the influence of therapy on it.
For decades, Dr. Upledger has continued to develop the work and has written textbooks on the functioning of the CranioSacral system. In 1985, he established the Upledger Institute as a clinical and educational resource center for CranioSacral Therapy. See www.upledger.com for more information.
I am among more than 27,000 practitioners who have been trained worldwide in the use of CranioSacral Therapy by the Upledger Institute. I was trained in both levels one and two in 1997 and 1998, while I was still in Naturopathic Medical School. I used it during my clinical training, and have continued to value it as a bodywork modality.
In addition, I have done continuing studies in this form of bodywork and refining my palpation and perception skills.
There are times when CranioSacral Therapy is more appropriate than Bowen Therapy for a particular patient or their condition. I know in the moment what kind of therapeutic facilitation will achieve the results I am looking for. This is an intuitive call based on experience and the methods of each technique.
When patients ask me about a particular modality for a particular condition, I prefer to put more importance on the practitioner and their skill, and most importantly, their relationship with the patient. In my relationship with my patients I hold them as whole as healed. Then the actions I take make it so.
Due to government and FDA regulations the following must be stated: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
The information provided is not a substitute for professional medical opinion. It is provided for informational and educational purposes only.
