Cranio-sacral Therapy in Practise
By using a light and still touch, perhaps while holding the head, pelvis or feet, the cranio-sacral therapist links into the body and feels for the functioning of cranio-sacral motion.
Imbalances, tensions, stiffness, strain patterns, dysfunctions and sometimes complete disruptions, are evaluated within the body and cranio-sacral system. The practitioner attempts to assess the nature and location of any disturbance, which tissues are involved, whether the condition is acute or chronic, local, or systemic and, if possible, a sense of cause.
When the assessment is completed and a diagnosis reached, treatment can begin if appropriate. Treatment involves the application of various holds on the body and, or head. All holds are very light so that the practitioner's hands can blend with the patient's body. Using the sense of touch, the cranio-sacral therapist focuses into the strain, stress or holding patterns in the tissues. Accessing the troubled tissue in this way opens up the potential for change. The human body will always move towards self-correction and healing when given the opportunity. Through a combination of the gentlest pressures, awareness and compassion, the healing process is initiated. The resultant decompression, releasing and unwinding of tissue and enhancement of blood flow, allows the body structure, cranium and nervous system to begin to return to a normally aligned, fluid and mobile state. Patients sometimes experience a sense of warmth, tingling, or pulsation during this process as the tissues release and the cranio-sacral motion pattern returns. Wavelike movements may be felt, this is the cranial rhythm. Afterwards a feeling of lightness and relaxation is often evident. The symptom pattern may begin to change immediately, but generally the body will continue to adjust over 3 days. A series of treatments is usually recommended, the number depending on the type, severity and duration of the presenting condition and the patient's age and past history.
By successfully treating compressive and strain patterns from birth, in babies and infants, and by treating the effects of injuries, trauma, surgery, shock and stress as soon after their onset as possible, not only can the immediate symptoms be relieved, but also a host of future problems can be prevented from occurring. Cranio-sacral therapy is about prevention as well as cure. It is never to late to try and make some difference. I have treated babies at a day old and adults of over 100 years. Just because orthodox medicine can do no more for your health, or the health of your children, this does not mean that no-one else can.
Cranio-sacral therapy can have a role in helping to manage health conditions for which there is no ultimate cure too. For example in serious injuries with permanent tissue, brain, or nerve damage, degenerative conditions, genetic disorders and terminal illnesses.
Ideally, every baby should receive cranio-sacral therapy after being born and cranio-sacral therapy should be an integral part of the diagnosis and treatment of all structural disorders, mental illnesses and disease processes.
Remember you do not have to be ill or symptomatic to benefit from cranio-sacral therapy. The alleviation of stress, the clearing and relaxation of mind and body and the increased sense of vitality, freedom and well-being that this treatment can bring, can surely be welcomed by us all.