What is Craniosacral Therapy?

man lying on massage table with masseur in black shirt giving him a neck massage: text: craniosacral therapy Craniosacral Therapy can be similar to Reiki energy healing, but actual muscle touch is involved.

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on approach that releases tensions deep in the body to relieve pain and dysfunction and improve whole-body health and performance. It was pioneered and developed by Osteopathic Physician John E. Upledger after years of clinical testing and research at Michigan State University, where he served as a professor of biomechanics.

This is a great option for those who love the gentle healing approach (yet it will be available to incorporate it with other modalities our specialized therapist provides and deep tissue).

Practitioners release restrictions in the soft tissues surrounding the central nervous system by using a soft touch that is generally no greater than 5 grams—about the weight of a nickel. CST is increasingly used as a preventive health measure to bolster disease resistance, and it’s effective for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction.

How Does It Work According to its Developers?

The brain and spinal cord form the central nervous system. And the central nervous system is heavily influenced by the craniosacral system—the membranes and fluid that surround, protect, and nourish the brain and spinal cord.

Every day your body endures stresses and strains that it must work to compensate for. Unfortunately, these changes often cause body tissues to tighten and distort the craniosacral system. These distortions can cause tension around the brain and spinal cord, resulting in restrictions. This can create a barrier to the healthy performance of the central nervous system and potentially every other system it interacts with.

Fortunately, such restrictions can be detected and corrected using simple touch methods.

By normalizing the environment around the brain and spinal cord and enhancing the body’s ability to self-correct, therapy techniques can alleviate various dysfunctions, from chronic pain and sports injuries to stroke and neurological impairment.

What Conditions Does Craniosacral Therapy Address?

Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury
Migraines and Headaches
Chronic Neck and Back Pain
Autism
Stress and Tension-Related Disorders
Motor-Coordination Impairments
Infant and Childhood Disorders
Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries
Chronic Fatigue
Fibromyalgia
TMJ Syndrome
Scoliosis
Central Nervous System Disorders
Learning Disabilities
ADD/ADHD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Orthopedic Problems
And Many Other Conditions *

Statements are taken from: https://www.upledger.com/therapies/faq.php

In 1970, during a neck surgery he was assisting, osteopathic physician John E. Upledger first observed the rhythmic movement of what would soon be identified as the craniosacral system. However, neither his colleagues nor any medical texts at the time could explain this discovery.

His curiosity piqued, and 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 explored the concept that the skull bones 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 were, in fact, true, this would help explain and make feasible the existence of the rhythm he had encountered in surgery.

At this point, Dr. Upledger set out to scientifically confirm the existence of cranial bone motion. From 1975 to 1983, he served as a clinical researcher and Professor of Biomechanics at Michigan State University. He supervised a team of anatomists, physiologists, biophysicists, and bioengineers in research and testing. The results not only confirmed Sutherland’s theory but also 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.

Gentle touch CranioSacral Techniques can be similar to Reiki energy healing, but actual muscle touch is involved.

Brilliant Massage & Skin

Burlington, Vermont