Craniosacral therapy
A gentle form of manipulation,
craniosacral therapy is a hands-on healing technique typically practiced by
physical therapists, massage therapists, and chiropractors. Craniosacral
therapists manipulate the craniosacral system, which includes the soft tissue
and bones of the head (cranium), the spine down to its tail end (the sacral
area), and the pelvis. They also work with the membranes that surround these
bones and the cerebrospinal fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord.
Although the therapist uses a touch so light that many patients don't even
notice it, most people report feeling profoundly relaxed after a treatment.
Unlike many alternative modalities,
craniosacral therapy claims no ancient or exotic origins. It was discovered in
the 1930s by William Garner Sutherland, an American osteopath and disciple of
Andrew Taylor Still, the founder of osteopathy. Sutherland devoted nearly 20
years to exploring the concept that the bones of the skull are designed and
formed to allow for movement.
While Sutherland's theories were
dismissed for years by the medical and scientific community, they were revived
in the 1970s by osteopathic physician John E. Upledger. With a team of
scientists at Michigan State University, Upledger set out to confirm the
existence of cranial bone motion. Though still considered inconclusive by many,
Dr. Upledger's research (along with that done by European and Russian
researchers) has inspired a new generation of practitioners to embrace the
therapy.
By law, craniosacral therapists are
not allowed to make a medical diagnosis, therefore the technique should not be
confused with cranial osteopathy, a diagnostic and therapeutic method of
treatment that has similar tenets but is practiced by highly trained osteopathic
physicians and surgeons, as well as some dentists.
How Does It Work?
Craniosacral therapists believe that
the movement of spinal fluid within and around the central nervous system
creates a vital body rhythm, no less important to health and well-being than the
heartbeat or the breath.
Health problems develop, they contend,
when blockages occur. Traumatic injuries, ligament or joint strains, or
dysfunctions in other parts of the body may cause these blockages. Such
disturbances then prevent the skull, the spine, and the membranes encasing the
brain and the spinal cord from expanding and contracting to accommodate the
natural ebb and flow of cerebrospinal fluid. This ebb and flow is called the
cranial rhythmic impulse. Practitioners assert that craniosacral therapy
reestablishes the normal flow of fluids and thus restores health.
What You Can Expect
In a typical session, the practitioner
will ask the patient, who may be clothed or wearing a gown, to lie face up or
down on a specially designed table. Lightly laying hands on various parts of the
body, particularly the skull, the spine, and the pelvis, the practitioner
"palpates," or feels, each area, sensing movement and looking for fluctuations
in the cranial rhythmic impulse.
The practitioner then manipulates the
bones and soft tissue to clear blockages and correct the flow of cerebrospinal
fluid so it is smooth and even. A session usually lasts from 20 minutes to an
hour. Some minor health problems, such as tension headache, may be resolved in
one session. More complex conditions, such as migraines and chronic sinusitis,
usually require several weekly sessions.
Health Benefits
Cerebrospinal fluid bathes the brain
and central nervous system in a rich mixture of proteins, electrolytes, amino
acids, and other essential nutrients. When the craniosacral system is properly
aligned, proponents say, the central nervous system can efficiently deliver
these substances to the rest of the body.
By clearing blockages, craniosacral therapy may help to:
-
Boost general well being
-
Reduce stress
-
Improve the quality of sleep
-
Increase energy
-
Enhance the functioning of all the body's
organs.
Although no significant clinical trials have tested these claims,
anecdotal reports from patients describe considerable success for craniosacral
therapy in the treatment of a wide variety of common ailments, including
headaches, dizziness, tinnitus, and sinusitis.
How To Choose a Practitioner
Practitioners of craniosacral therapy
are most likely to be physical or massage therapists or chiropractors. Look for
a practitioner who has special training in the craniosacral method. If your
problem is severe, you may want to consult a doctor of osteopathy (D.O.) who has
trained in this discipline. Craniosacral therapy may be covered by some
insurance plans if it is received from a physical therapist or chiropractor.
A note about this therapy for infants
and children:
One controversial area of craniosacral
therapy is its use in treating children. Many practitioners contend that infants
and young children respond particularly well to this therapy because the bones
of their skulls are more mobile than they will be in adulthood. They maintain
that early intervention can permanently correct distortions of the skull or
spine caused by a difficult birth. In addition, anecdotal reports suggest
craniosacral therapy may be helpful for newborn colic and childhood ear
infections.
If you are considering this therapy
for a child, consult only a doctor of osteopathy (not a therapist) who
specializes in the craniosacral method for children.
Cautions
·
While there have been few
reports of injuries from craniosacral therapy, critics express concern that any
manipulation could do harm to the delicate, pliable skull bones of newborn
infants. Proponents argue that this technique is one of the safest alternative
therapies, extremely gentle and noninvasive when practiced by a qualified
physician.
·
If you have ever had a brain
hemorrhage or aneurysm, check with your doctor before you have craniosacral
therapy. It may be ill-advised.
·
This therapy is not recommended
for such life-threatening problems as heart disease, cancer, or medical
emergencies.
| 
