I am a CranioSacral Therapy student based in Oxfordshire & Warwickshire areas, who is training through Upledger Institute UK and currently offers treatments to adults, as a part of their massage therapy treatment. I offer extra 30min, free of charge, on top of your paid massage therapy. I also offer longer, 60min, CranioSacral treatment for £45.
What is CranioSacral Therapy?
CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is an alternative treatment typically used by osteopaths, chiropractors, and massage therapists. It is a gentle hands-on technique that uses a light touch to examine membranes and movement of the fluids in and around the central nervous system, which consists of the brain and spinal cord, and to manipulate the cranial sutures and membranes, diaphragms, parts of the pelvis, and the spine to treat disease. Relieving tension and detecting disturbances in the central nervous system, and cranial sacral rhythm, promotes a feeling of well-being by eliminating pain and boosting health and immunity.
The focus of CST is also a gentle placement of hands to assist release of the body’s connective tissue, or “fascia.” Fascia (Latin word for “band”) is a covering found throughout the body, including organs, glands, nerves, muscles, blood vessels, brain and spinal cord, that forms a body-wide connective network. CST is based on the idea that the body is interrelated at all levels and is thought to improve efficiency of biological processes through boosting inherent self-regulation, self-correction and self-healing.
A treatment works in the following ways:
- Helps restore normal cranial mobility
- Releases abnormal myofascial restrictions and tensions in the body
- Releases abnormal restrictions in the head
- Eases restrictions of nerves
- Optimizes cerebrospinal fluid movement through the central nervous system
- Helps restore misaligned bones to their proper positions (assisting troubles associated with the head, back, neck, hips, shoulders, arms, hands, knees and feet)
What can I expect from a CranioSacral Therapy (CST) session?
A session of CST would begin with a consultation/case history form completion to identify the reasons for your visit/appointment, as well as establishing troubled areas. Sessions are conducted fully clothed and with shoes removed. Clients lie on a treatment couch, usually on your back, but can be on your side or sitting. The room might have ambient warm lighting, and soft music can be played, to help you to feel relaxed.
Practitioner uses a very gentle and light touch to engage with and respond to the subtle CranioSCacral rhythm of the client’s body. This CranioSacral rhythm responds to the light touch allowing the practitioner to ‘listen’ to the body through palpation. This means that during the session client’s body has the innate capacity for self-healing. The practitioner facilitates this process, leading to restored balance of mind, body, emotion, energy and release of physical stress and restriction.
The movements of fascia, fluids and membranes are followed into periods of stillness and unwind, so that normal and efficient function can resume, restoring underlying health. This may be felt by the client as heat, tingling sensations or pulsation as changes occur. The client may feel calm and energised, with increased clarity of mind and a feeling of well-being. Clients also feel deeply relaxed, better able to cope, energised, renewed interest in life, resourced and whole again.
Is CranioSacral Therapy right for everyone?
CST is beneficial for all ages, from infant to the elderly, and the types of problems that people might seek CST treatment for vary considerably. Conditions that CST may help with, just to name some:
- Stress and tension related disorders,
- Insomnia and fatigue,
- Headaches, migraines, neuralgia,
- Musculoskeletal problems, muscle and joint pain or injury,
- Fibromyalgia, many neurological conditions and pain syndromes,
- Neurodegenerative diseases, multiple sclerosis,
- Temporo-mandibular joint syndrome,
- Speech impairment, learning disabilities, ADD, ADHD,
- Birth traumas and other perinatal challenges,
- Infant latching and feeding difficulties,
- Recurrent ear infections,
- Facial asymmetries and eye motor problems,
- Gross and fine motor problems,
- Developmental delays, autism,
- Concussion, and post-concussion syndrome, stroke,
- Tinnitus, hearing loss and vertigo, brain fog.
CST can benefit almost everyone. With a few conditions, however, craniosacral therapy may not be appropriate, and you’ll need to talk with your CST practitioner and physician. Your session needs to wait if you have experienced any of the following and have NOT been released for treatment by your physician:
- Recent concussion,
- Cerebral swelling,
- Structural defects in the cerebellum such as Arnold-Chiari malformation,
- Brain aneurysm,
- Traumatic brain injury,
- Blood clots,
- Any disorder that causes instability of cerebral fluid pressure, flow or build-up.