Cranial Sacral Therapy

Cranial Sacral Therapy derives from Osteopathy and is a light touch, non-invasive healing modality. The client remains fully clothed and the Cranial Sacral practitioner palpates (places hands on) the clients body in various places, whilst syncronising with the system to encourage the bodies innate healing and balancing forces to become more active.

The Cranial Sacral system includes the brain, the cerebrospinal fluid, the system of membranes inside the cranium, all 22 cranial bones, the spine and the sacrum. Factors that compromise posture and function throughout the body are addressed with equal emphasis to those that appear in the neighbourhood of the cranium. There is, however, a focus around the effect on the head and vertebral column, with their membranous and neurological contents, and their immediate connective tissues. Because it acts on the deepest structures and organs of the nervous system, Cranial Sacral Therapy influences motor, pain and coordination mechanisms, as well as the digestive system, the respiratory system, heart function and the endocrine system.

The classical Osteopaths used knowledge of these systems of the body to identify dysfunctions whilst utilising a more subtle rhythm they called “the breath of life” to aid healing in their patients. This silent force, which can be thought of as a field of chi, blows through the Cranial Sacral system, animates it, and infuses it with information and intelligence. This force is ultimately responsible for all healing within the body. It is possible to listen to this field and the ability to do this is the basis of these training and requires deep listening.

Cranial Sacral Therapy enhances the body’s natural healing processes, and has been effective over a wide spectrum of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction, including:

Migraine headaches, traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, chronic neck and back pain, emotional difficulties, motor co-ordination difficulties, stress and tension-related problems, central nervous system disorders, temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ), orthopaedic problems, chronic fatigue, neurovascular or immune disorders, scoliosis, infantile disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, autism, learning disabilities, fibromyalgia and other connective tissue disorders.

Aside from the physical aspects of being, it can also be used as a tool for deep relaxation & meditation, to heal old injuries or emotional wounds, access parts of ourselves outside the conscious realm and augment approaches to self development and is considered a form of energy medicine.