What is Craniosacral Therapy
The Biodynamic Model
History of Craniosacral Therapy: The Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy model is based on the work of Dr. William Garner Sutherland, DO., the founder of Cranial Osteopathy. Dr. Sutherland began his exploration into cranial bone motion at the turn of the 20th century. His later work moved away from bony movement and focused on a series of interrelated cerebral spinal fluid pulsations and rhythms within the Central Nervous System. Franklyn Sills RPP (founder of the Biodynamic Model) and other gifted practitioners continue to refine the principles and methods of cranial work and carry it into the 21st century.
Health and Craniosacral Therapy: Each of us has within us an "Original Blueprint" of health that is expressed at the moment of our conception and remains with us our entire lives. Health is a principle: it is not dependent on particular mind-body states. Therefore, even in the most desperate health situations, this inherent "blueprint" is still completely intact. The "blueprint" is a direct expression of the "Breath of Life" that is the inherent ordering principle around which our cellular and tissue world organizes.
Our inherent health, and life itself, is expressed via motion. Whether this is seen in the voluntary motions of the musculoskeletal system or the involuntary motions of the cells, fluid, and tissues of the body, life is in a state of constant motion. Resistances and congestion within the tissues of the body lead to pain, dysfunction and disease. These disturbances within the body are the result of life experiences such traumas both physical and emotional combined with influences from our genetics.
Treatment with Craniosacral Therapy: Work within the craniosacral field is the art of intelligent and intuitive listening. Practitioners learn to perceive the body's intrinsic movement, dynamic rhythms and pulsations through the cerebral spinal fluids or Cranial Rhythmic Impulse (CRI). Within this context they are able to appreciate the inherent health within the system and its historical patterns of trauma, pathology, and inertia. Through this perceptual process practitioners can assist both the _expression of the inherent health of the system as well as the resolution of its inertial forces and patterns.
Craniosacral Biodynamics attempts to align us to the deepest wellspring of life. The focus lies in these tidal rhythms found within the cerebral spinal fluid. It is within these rhythms that our unresolved experience, be it traumatic, genetic or pathological, is centered, and within which the resources of the system are found for there healing qualities of the body to come forth.
Typical Craniosacral Session: A session usually last approximately 45 minutes to one hour. During a session the client relaxes on a typical therapy table, usually on his or her back or side comfortably positioned, fully clothed but without shoes on. Comfortable clothing is best suited for these sessions. The therapist begins the session gently touching the body with focused attention to the anatomy in order to observe the cranial rhythmic impulse of the cerebral spinal fluid flow. Touch normally begins with hands at the head or along the spine, sacrum or other locations which may guide the therapist in assessing the health of the mind/body system. With this attentive and listening touch the therapist will be able to detect areas that the mind/body expresses as restricted flow of fluids and tissues that can be contributing to overall symptoms. As the therapist works, the body's inherent healing wisdom comes into subtle action, helping to release restrictions or symptoms within. The client may experience subtle sensations, like floating, deep relaxation, even some discomfort in different parts of the body. The body's inherent healing wisdom is at work, releasing restrictions and restoring the natural flow of health to the affected areas.
Benefits and Results of Craniosacral Therapy: Cranial work can benefit people of all ages. When the treatment is working you can expect to feel a reduction or resolving of symptoms and an overall improvement to health and daily function. This can happen quickly in some cases and not so quickly in others. Some conditions are cumulative and don't necessarily resolve over night. The process for healing can be incremental, and the work is often subtle. Learning to listen to the subtle changes within ones experience and having patience is helpful during the healing process.
I have seen benefits in my practice of those suffering from a wide variety of problems including but not limited too: Acute and Chronic pain ~ Low energy ~ Sleep disorders ~ Post Traumatic Stress Disorders ~ Migraines and other chronic headaches ~ TMJ syndrome ~ Asthma ~ Sinus conditions ~ Immune disorders, which lead to recurrent infections and illnesses ~ Digestive troubles ~ Meniere's disease ~ Vertigo ~ Physical and emotional traumas ~ Stress ~ and for children Chronic ear infections ~ Colic ~ Sucking/feeding difficulties ~ Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), ~ Learning disabilities.
Links to diseases helped by Craniosacral therapy:
Craniosacral Therapy for Mesothelioma.
Disclaimer: Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy does not diagnose or claim to cure any medical conditions.
