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Frequently-Asked Questions about CranioSacral
Therapy
How does CranioSacral Therapy work?
CranioSacral Therapy works by helping the body's natural
healing mechanisms dissipate the negative effects of stress
on the central nervous system.
This is accomplished through utilizing
a physiological body system called the craniosacral system,
which maintains the environment in which the central nervous
system functions. It consists of the membranes and cerebrospinal
fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord,
extending from the bones of the skull, face and mouth (which
make up the cranium) down to the tailbone area (or sacrum).
The role of this system in the development and performance
of the brain and spinal cord is so vital that an imbalance
or dysfunction in it can cause sensory, motor and/or neurological
disabilities.
Like the pulse of the cardiovascular
system, the craniosacral system has a rhythm that can be
felt throughout the body. Using a touch generally no heavier
than the weight of a nickel, skilled practitioners can monitor
this rhythm at key body points to pinpoint the source of
an obstruction or stress. Once a source has been determined,
they can assist the natural movement of the fluid and related
soft tissue to help the body self-correct. This simple action
is often all it takes to remove a restriction. Other times,
CST may be combined with other complementary therapies to
help restore the body to its optimum functioning level.
What conditions can CranioSacral
Therapy help?
Because of its influence on the functioning of the central
nervous system, CranioSacral Therapy can benefit the body
in a number of ways — from bolstering overall health
and resistance to disease to alleviating a wide range of
specific medical conditions.
Among CST's largest patient groups
are those suffering chronic symptoms that haven't been aided
by other approaches. In particular, CST is beneficial to
those with head, neck or back injuries resulting from an
accident — be it from a car, sports or work mishap
or from a fall. The extremely light touch involved in the
application of CST makes it a safe approach as well for
children, infants and newborns with early traumas, including
birth trauma. They especially can benefit from the timely
identification and release of restrictions in the craniosacral
system, thereby preventing future difficulties such as learning
disabilities or hyperactivity.
Another area of principal effectiveness
is with stress-related dysfunction's. Insomnia, fatigue,
headaches, poor digestion, anxiety and temporomandibular
joint (TMJ) dysfunction are just a few examples. CranioSacral
Therapy works to reverse the debilitating effects of stress
by providing the conditions in which the nervous system
can rest and rejuvenate. In fact, it's this capacity to
reduce stress that's leading an increasing number of people
to include CST as part of their wellness routines.
Other conditions for which CranioSacral
Therapy has shown to be effective are various sensory disorders.
Among these are eye-motor coordination problems, autism,
dyslexia, loss of taste or smell, tinnitus, vertigo and
neuralgias such as sciatica and tic douloureux.
Is there any condition for which
CST shouldn't be used?
There are certain situations where application of CST would
not be recommended. These include conditions where a variation
and/or slight increase in intracranial pressure would cause
instability. Acute aneurysm, cerebral hemorrhage or other
preexisting severe bleeding disorders are examples of conditions
that could be affected by small intracranial pressure changes.
How many CranioSacral Therapy sessions
will I need?
Response to CST varies from individual to individual and
condition to condition. Your response is uniquely your own
and can't be compared to anyone else's — even those
cases that may appear to be similar to your own. The number
of sessions needed varies widely — from just one up
to three or more a week over the course of several weeks.
When was CranioSacral Therapy developed?
It was in 1970, during a neck surgery in which he was assisting,
that osteopathic physician John E. Upledger first observed
the rhythmic movement of what would soon be identified as
the craniosacral system. None of his colleagues nor any
of the medical texts at the time could explain this discovery,
however.
His curiosity piqued, Dr. Upledger
began searching for the answer. He started with the research
of Dr. William Sutherland, the father of cranial osteopathy.
For some 20 years beginning in the early 1900s, Sutherland
had explored the concept that the bones of the skull were
structured to allow for movement. For decades after, this
theory remained at odds with the beliefs of the scientific
and medical communities. Dr. Upledger believed, however,
that if Sutherland’s theory of cranial movement was
in fact true, this would help explain, and make feasible,
the existence of the rhythm he had encountered in surgery.
It was at this point that Dr. Upledger
set out to scientifically confirm the existence of cranial
bone motion. From 1975 to 1983 he served as clinical researcher
and Professor of Biomechanics at Michigan State University,
where he supervised a team of anatomists, physiologists,
biophysicists and bioengineers in research and testing.
The results not only confirmed Sutherland’s theory,
but led to clarification of the mechanisms behind this motion
— the craniosacral system. Dr. Upledger’s continued
work in the field ultimately resulted in his development
of CranioSacral Therapy.
What is The Upledger Institute?
The Upledger Institute is a health resource center located
in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, that's recognized worldwide
for its groundbreaking continuing-education programs, clinical
research and therapeutic services.
The Institute was founded in 1985 by
Dr. Upledger to educate the public and healthcare practitioners
about the benefits of CranioSacral Therapy. It conducts
hundreds of workshops throughout the world each year, educating
healthcare practitioners of many diverse disciplines in
CST. To date, more than 50,000 have been trained. Among
them are osteopaths, medical doctors, doctors of chiropractic,
doctors of Oriental medicine, naturopathic physicians, psychiatric
specialists, psychologists, dentists, nurses, physical therapists,
occupational therapists, acupuncturists, massage therapists
and other professional bodyworkers.
Also located in Palm Beach Gardens
is The Upledger Institute, Inc., HealthPlex Clinical Services.
This innovative clinic offers both private sessions and
unique intensive-therapy programs that address such conditions
as migraine headaches, traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries,
chronic neck and back pain, emotional difficulties, motor-coordination
impairments, stress and tension-related problems, central
nervous system disorders, temporomandibular joint dysfunction,
orthopedic problems, chronic fatigue, scoliosis, neurovascular
or immune disorders, infantile disorders, colic, post-traumatic
stress disorder, autism, disabilities, fibromyalgia and
other connective-tissue disorders. In addition, UI HealthPlex
provides infancy-to-preschool evaluations and helpful one-day
ShareCare® seminars designed for the general public.
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