Cranial Therapy
Health is not simply an absence of disease or pain. It is a state of balance and harmony between the body and mind of a person. In health, a person should be able to respond to events such as accidents, infections or emotional stress and deal with these events and restore itself to optimum health afterward.
Most of us have been exposed to physical trauma at some stage in our life. The body may have been able to absorb the effects of an accident at the time, but a lasting strain often remains. Illnesses and emotional trauma can also leave a lasting physical effect.
The majority of people are not in full health but are carrying an accumulation of the effects of different traumatic events that have happened to them during the life. Gradually the body may find it more and more difficult to cope with accumulated stresses and symptoms may start to show.
Why is Cranial Therapy so effective?
Cranial therapy is not only aimed at the relief of symptoms, but at helping the body to function better in all respects. Patients often report an improvement in general wellbeing, energy levels, sleep patterns as well as in symptoms other than those that brought them to the clinic in the first place.
In simple terms, if the cranial bones are not in the right place, then the brain and central nervous system cannot be in the right place. As a result, the hormonal system cannot perform to its optimal level. Even though the distance that the cranial bones move is equivalent to half the thickness of a sheet of paper, the human head is so delicate and is so permeated with nerve pathways that even slight alterations of a bone’s position can produce either physical or psychological symptoms, or both. It can cause a wide variety of problems both in the head and elsewhere in the body.
What is your Cranial System?
The cranial system is made up of the membranes and fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord, as well as the bones attached to it. These extend from the bones of the skull, face, and mouth (which make up the cranium), and down your spine to your tailbone area (the sacrum). Since the brain and spinal cord are part of the cranial system, it is easy to see how it has an impact on a wide variety of bodily functions.
Cranial therapy is a refined and subtle type of osteopathic treatment that uses very gentle manipulative pressures to encourage the release of stresses throughout the body, including the head. It frees up the tissues in and around the cranial system to encourage better flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which nourishes, protects and cleans the central nervous system. This allows the body to perform better and heal itself.
“Involuntary Motion in the Body”
Cranial Therapists are trained to feel a very subtle, rhythmical shape change that is present in all of the body’s tissues. This is called involuntary motion.
The skull is made up of 26 bones which are intricately joined in such a way that during the rhythmical cycle of involuntary motion, the skull can actually change shape very slightly to accommodate the normal involuntary motion of the brain inside.
Impacts to the head can block or disrupt this movement. This can cause a very wide variety of problems both in the head and elsewhere in the body. Using involuntary motion in the tissues, a therapist can feel whether a person is in an optimum state of health or whether there is something preventing the healthy movement of these tissues from occurring.
By gently working with the spine, the skull and its cranial sutures, diaphragms and fascia, the restrictions of nerve passages are eased, the movement of cerebrospinal fluid through the spinal cord can be optimized and misaligned bones are restored to their proper position.
Cranial Therapy is so gentle that it is suitable for babies, children and the elderly, as well as adults. It is also suitable for people in fragile or acutely painful conditions. Treatment can aid almost any condition, raising vitality and improving the body’s capacity for self-repair.
What to expect during a Cranial Therapy Session
During the session, all you need to do is remove your shoes. Most of the work takes place with you lying down. You may experience states of deep relaxation, heat, cold, pulsing, tingling sensations and energy releases. Experiences during Cranial Therapy sessions differ from person to person. They can even vary from session to session. At times, a person may fall asleep, recall memories or see colours.
More benefits of Cranial Therapy
Cranial is often a suitable method of treatment when other methods may be deemed unsafe, such as during the second or third trimester of pregnancy, after an operation, accident, fall or injury or on small babies. Often, what seems like a recent ailment or condition can have its origin in very early experiences, including birth trauma.
Cranial Therapy for Adults
- Back and Neck Pain
- Disc Injuries (bulging or prolapsed)
- Joint and Muscle Pain
- Digestive Disorders
- Headaches and migraines
- Period Pain and Irregularity
- Asthma and Chest Complaints
- Stress and Fatigue
- General Ill Health
- Sciatica
- Whiplash
- TMJ Pain
- Sinus Problems
- Arthritis
… and Much More
CST can be an excellent treatment option during pregnancy as it is very gentle and non-invasive.