Cranial Sacral Therapy
What is Cranial Sacral Therapy?
Cranio-Sacral Therapy (CST) is a very gentle hands on method of releasing restrictions in the nervous system particularly, and the body generally, using a touch of around 5gms usually. It is a useful modality for head injuries.
Since the Cranio-Sacral System influences the brain and spinal cord, it can cause an imbalance or restriction problems in the central nervous system. Cranio-Sacral Therapy assesses the wellbeing of this system and works to correct this as far as is possible. It can also work with other problems in the body.
While CST encourages the body’s natural healing processes e.g. rehabilitation, accidents, it is not necessary to be unwell to benefit from it.
CST has developed techniques for working with cellular memory to assist the body called Somato-Emotional Release. (SER). Cells are believed to hold feelings and thoughts. This retention of feelings and thoughts can create tensions and distortions in cellular tissue. These imbalances may spread through the body. Dialoguing with the consciousness of these cells and tissues may bring resolution to these issues. As these emotional tensions in the cells clear, the physical tensions may also clear.
How can Cranial Sacral Therapy help you?
Physical
CST feels very quiet – as the therapist is ‘listening’ to the body and the information it is giving. The therapist may concentrate ‘holding’ a position with a slight pressure (usually 5 gms) for a prolonged time until the body indicates a release or finish with that position. There may be little obvious external movement because the movement is internal.
CST feels very pleasurable - as the body consciousness relaxes into a deeper state and the physical body also relaxes knowing it is being supported and ‘listened to’
Cranio-Sacral Therapy (CST) has a rhythm known as the Cranio-Sacral rhythm that can be felt anywhere in the body. The pattern of the rhythm reveals where the problem is in the body. This may not always be where the symptoms are. Working on the site, CST can then help the body to correct itself by using very gentle, light touch techniques. .
Personal Experience
My first experience of CST was on a table at a fair after standing on my feet for several hours. My back muscles were tight and contracted so I was willing to try a different process. I lay down on my back and the therapist cupped the back of my head with her hands. In a short while, I found my head was making micro-movement after micro-movement. The therapist assured me that she was only following the movements, not creating these. I felt a little nervous at the idea of my body doing this by itself. It is one thing to read of body intelligence but quite another to feel this in action. However, it was undeniable. Twenty minutes later, I rose from the table without an ache or pain, amazed at this demonstration of body wisdom and the gentle correction without force or manipulation only a following of the body’s directing.CST, of course, does have a sound basis in anatomy and physiology. In addition to the left brain skills, it incorporates the skills of the right brain which are more intuitive
Cranio-Sacral Therapy (CST) is a very gentle hands on method of releasing restrictions in the nervous system particularly, and the body generally, using a touch of around 5gms usually. It is a useful modality for head injuries.
Since the Cranio-Sacral System influences the brain and spinal cord, it can cause an imbalance or restriction problems in the central nervous system. Cranio-Sacral Therapy assesses the wellbeing of this system and works to correct this as far as is possible. It can also work with other problems in the body.
While CST encourages the body’s natural healing processes e.g. rehabilitation, accidents, it is not necessary to be unwell to benefit from it.
CST has developed techniques for working with cellular memory to assist the body called Somato-Emotional Release. (SER). Cells are believed to hold feelings and thoughts. This retention of feelings and thoughts can create tensions and distortions in cellular tissue. These imbalances may spread through the body. Dialoguing with the consciousness of these cells and tissues may bring resolution to these issues. As these emotional tensions in the cells clear, the physical tensions may also clear.
How can Cranial Sacral Therapy help you?
Physical
- Relief from symptoms from head injuries
- Central nervous system problems
- Orthopaedic problems e.g. neck, back, tailbone injuries
- Chronic fatigue
- Vertigo
- Headaches and migraine
- Menstrual pains, cramps, endometriosis
- RSI.
- Uncover emotions held in the body, which may underlie physical problems.
- In deep relaxation, spiritual issues may arise. Physical pain may be caused by past-life energy, which has come forward into the body to be released.
CST feels very quiet – as the therapist is ‘listening’ to the body and the information it is giving. The therapist may concentrate ‘holding’ a position with a slight pressure (usually 5 gms) for a prolonged time until the body indicates a release or finish with that position. There may be little obvious external movement because the movement is internal.
CST feels very pleasurable - as the body consciousness relaxes into a deeper state and the physical body also relaxes knowing it is being supported and ‘listened to’
Cranio-Sacral Therapy (CST) has a rhythm known as the Cranio-Sacral rhythm that can be felt anywhere in the body. The pattern of the rhythm reveals where the problem is in the body. This may not always be where the symptoms are. Working on the site, CST can then help the body to correct itself by using very gentle, light touch techniques. .
Personal Experience
My first experience of CST was on a table at a fair after standing on my feet for several hours. My back muscles were tight and contracted so I was willing to try a different process. I lay down on my back and the therapist cupped the back of my head with her hands. In a short while, I found my head was making micro-movement after micro-movement. The therapist assured me that she was only following the movements, not creating these. I felt a little nervous at the idea of my body doing this by itself. It is one thing to read of body intelligence but quite another to feel this in action. However, it was undeniable. Twenty minutes later, I rose from the table without an ache or pain, amazed at this demonstration of body wisdom and the gentle correction without force or manipulation only a following of the body’s directing.CST, of course, does have a sound basis in anatomy and physiology. In addition to the left brain skills, it incorporates the skills of the right brain which are more intuitive
Testimonial
"As a hairdresser you have to use your fingers and thumbs all the time. My thumbs became stiff and hard to use. My wrists and arms were also tight. Carol unwound these with Craniosacral techniques. I could use my thumbs again and all the pain and tightness went out of my wrists and arms."