
Craniosacral Therapy Can Be Smart and Effective
What is craniosacral therapy?
Craniosacral therapy is the practice of manipulating the membranes and fluids that surround the brain and spinal cord. This membrane is waterproof and produces a chemical called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within a closed hydraulic system inside the body. The CSF regulates pressure on the brain and spinal cord, and cranial bones move in rhythm. Craniosacral therapy is safe and effective and can help relieve pain, reduce stress, and improve the quality of life in many people.
The craniosacral therapist rests their hands on the skull while evaluating the rhythm of the craniosacral system. They may use their hands to manipulate the deeper layers of fluid, using the bones of the cranium and sacrum as handles. The therapist believes that the body has innate healing abilities and can improve overall health and well-being. Dr. Upledger describes a craniosacral session as a physically connected meditation.

Bodywork to relieve pressure
This modality uses a specific technique that relies on gentle finger and hand pressure on the cranial bones and sacrum. This manual technique promotes comfort, restores balance, eases tension, and supports the central nervous system. Bodywork during the therapy is performed over comfortable clothing. The therapist rests his or her hands on the patient’s skull and sacrum to ease pressure and create movement throughout the body.
Licensed healthcare professionals practice craniosacral therapy. This gentle technique is beneficial for people who are suffering from chronic pain, headaches, concussion, and other health problems. By physically releasing myofascial restrictions and easing the pressure on the body, craniosacral therapy aims to help patients resolve entrapped tightness and restrictions.
What conditions may craniosacral therapy help?
If you’d like to undergo this type of treatment, you’ll probably want to find a practitioner that specializes in the technique. Listed below are some of the most common conditions that craniosacral therapy may help.
- According to Healthline, this treatment might help with the following conditions:
- migraines and headaches
- constipation
- disturbed sleep cycles and insomnia
- sinus infections
- neck pain
- fibromyalgia
- recurrent ear infections or colic in infants
- TMJ
- trauma recovery, including trauma from whiplash
What to expect from craniosacral therapy
What can you expect from craniosacral therapy? This gentle, hands-on massage technique balances the central nervous system and the entire body. Your practitioner will use their hands to check for restrictions and promote release of key tightness. During a session, you can expect deep relaxation, pain relief, increased mobility, and improved function. The benefits of this treatment are extensive, and the results can be dramatic.
During the session, you can expect the therapist to lighten and release your skull. While it may not feel like much, this gentle treatment can be highly effective, particularly for individuals who have experienced chronic pain and joint stiffness. Although classical anatomists claim that cranial sutures fuse as you get older, craniosacral practitioners believe that the cranial sutures are still mobile.
During the therapy session, you will be fully clothed while your therapist gently touches you. The practitioner will feel your craniosacral rhythms and use the bones of the sacrum and cranium as handles to manipulate the deeper layers of fluid.
After a session, most craniosacral therapists suggest resting and avoiding strenuous activities for a few days.
Is craniosacral therapy for everyone?
Because craniosacral therapy is gentle, it can be effective for a variety of conditions. It is often helpful for individuals suffering from joint stiffness, migraine, and chronic pain injuries. The calming touch and reassuring environment of craniosacral therapy can also help people with fibromyalgia.. The techniques can be a great way to help reduce stress and anxiety and promote a restful night’s sleep.
The central nervous system is essential to the functioning of the body. Because it controls so much of our lives, any disorder of the brain can affect the rest of the body. Craniosacral therapy helps alleviate pain and stress on the central nervous system and relieves chronic misalignment. The technique requires no recovery time or significant side effects. It is also suitable for people suffering from fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome.
As with any manual therapy, craniosacral therapy is a treatment that uses gentle placement of hands to release the connective tissues of the body. Fascia, which is Latin for “band,” covers the organs, glands, muscles, blood vessels, and brain. Fascia is a network of connective tissue throughout the body that regulates all body functions. Because of this, craniosacral therapy is appropriate for everyone from babies to the elderly.
Benefits of craniosacral therapy
There are numerous benefits of craniosacral therapy. These gentle manipulations of body parts support the body’s natural healing processes and rebalance energy flow. The practice promotes deep relaxation and a state of meditative awareness. It has been found to be extremely beneficial in a variety of health issues.
Many people suffering from headaches, neck pain, or back pain will benefit from craniosacral therapy. It can even help people manage post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As the central nervous system is in balance, the therapist will be able to better assess whether or not you have restrictions in your fascia and treat the pain or deterioration with the use of gentle techniques.
When you play sports, the membranes and fluids surrounding your spinal cord and brain can be strained. These strains and tensions impair your body’s natural healing processes. Craniosacral therapy will help restore these soft tissues to their optimal state. This will help relieve your discomfort and help you perform at your highest level. It will also help your body heal faster from injuries. In addition, craniosacral therapy may improve your overall performance.
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