Cranial Sacral Massage Therapy

From:  iphysioperth.com

Massage Therapy for Cranial Sacral Therapy (CST) – is a therapy that uses gentle manual pressure to the skull, spine and membranes. The pressure restores rhythmic flow to the cranial sacral system including the brain, spinal cord, cerebro-spinal fluid and the surrounding membranes. It is a type of body work that activates the human body’s Central Nervous System. The nervous system defines the communication between the brain and the body via the spine. This relationship between the brain and the spine controls the entire functioning of the human body.

History of Cranial Sacral Therapy

Osteopathic Physician John E. Upledger first observes the rhythmic movement of the cranial sacral system during a neck surgery in 1970. No one could explain that discovery at that time. But Dr. Upledger was still curious and started with a research of Dr. William Sutherland who is the father cranial osteopathy. In the early 1900s, Dr. Sutherland achieved the concept that the bones of the skull are structured in a way to be allowed for movement. Dr. Upledger believed that, Dr. Sutherland’s theory of cranial movement will help to explain the existence of the rhythm he had observed in the neck surgery. He continued his research and confirmed the clarification of the mechanism behind the cranial sacral system. He served as a professor of Biomechanics by developing the cranial sacral therapy at Michigan State University.

How It Supposedly Works   

The working procedure of the cranial sacral therapy includes a place in the body which is called the ‘Third Ventricle’. It is located between the right and left hemisphere in the center of the brain. The third ventricle contains the cerebral spinal fluid which is a liquid substance. It drops down the brain canal to cover the whole wiring of the nervous system in the vertebral spine. Cranial sacral therapy enhances the presence of optimal fluid when there is a blockage to prevent the flow of fluid protecting electric wiring of the central nervous system from the spine to the brain and vice versa.

Potential Benefits of Cranial Sacral Therapy

Your body suffers an amount of stress and strains every day. This tightens the body tissues and distorts the cranial sacral system. The spinal cord results in restriction from the tension caused by the distortion. The tension can create a barrier which will prevent a healthy performance of the central nervous system. It will also interact with every other system potentially. The solution to such restrictions is a light/soft touch i.e. cranial sacral therapy. The simple methods of touch can detect the correct the restrictions. A cranial sacral therapist can feel various locations of the body by using his hands to evaluate the cranial sacral system. The soft touches can help to release the restrictions in any tissues which may influence the cranial sacral system.

Cranial Sacral Therapy may help alleviate a wide variety of symptoms of chronic pain or dysfunctions such as:

• migraines and headaches
• chronic neck and back pain
• autism
• stress and tension related disorders
• infant and childhood disorders
• chronic fatigue
• fibromyalgia
• motor-coordination impairment
• scoliosis
• TMJ syndrome
• central nervous system disorders
• ADHD
• ADD
• learning disabilities
• orthopedic problems
• It can also help in neurological impairment and strokes.

We invite you to visit Stevenswood.com for a list of spa treatments, including cranial sacral therapy, performed by our licensed massage therapists.