Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral therapy stems from Cranial Osteopathy which was developed by William Sutherland. Physician and researcher John E. Upledger (who studied with Sutherland) developed Upldeger CranioSacral Therapy, a gentle, hands-on technique based on the principles of cranial osteopathy. Upledger created a school and a curriculum for teaching his technique and now it is used worldwide.

The CranioSacral System consists of the brain and spinal cord, the fluid in which they are buffered, and the membrane that envelops it all called the dura mater. The CranioSacral rhythm is the movement of the cerebrospinal fluid within the borders of the dura mater and intracranial membranes and can be palpated by a CranioSacral therapist. The movement of this rhythm is expressed throughout the body by the fascia. By evaluating its quality and locations of limited mobility, problems can be detected and then treated with subtle touch at various points around the body. 

Releases of tension (which is stored in the body, but may have it’s origin in the physical, mental, or emotional realms) can be felt as relaxation, heat, pulsation, twitching, or changes in breath. Sometimes memories will arise of the trauma that caused the tension in the first place. When these memories are acknowledged and the related feelings are expressed, there is often a dramatic decrease in painful symptoms and improved function of the involved area.