CranioSacral Therapy
What is CST?
Cranial Sacral Therapy (CST) is a hands-on therapy, where the touch is gentle, non-invasive and usually subtle. It is a powerful treatment approach that helps to release restrictions deep within the body – specifically the craniosacral system - to help facilitate the body’s own self-corrective processes. This frequently frees up space and eases pain, tension etc in other body areas.
An important part of our approach in CST is that it is the person’s body that knows exactly what to do in order to heal and rebalance itself. All I am really doing is listening to what your body needs and helping it to do it. This can mean that the area we treat is sometimes different from the area in which symptoms are experienced, as our bodies can be very clever in how they adapt to stresses and strains.
I practise Upledger Craniosacral Therapy. You can find out more about CST as well as research on the Upledger Institute UK website.
how does CST work?
The craniosacral system is a physiological system, encompassing the bones of the skull and spine, within which are membranes and fluid – all serving to protect your brain and spinal cord (i.e. your central nervous system).
The craniosacral system has a palpable rhythm that can be considered similar to that of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. It generates and reabsorbs cerebrospinal fluid within a semi-closed hydraulic system, producing this rhythm with a frequency of 6–12 cycles/min. Information on the state of the craniosacral system can be obtained by feeling the symmetry, quality, fullness and frequency of this rhythm e.g. at the head, sacrum… anywhere in the body.
Cranial Sacral Therapy involves evaluation and the therapeutic application of gentle mobilisation and release techniques (very light lifting or traction force techniques) to the craniosacral system.
The intention of treatment is to alleviate restrictions to the physiological motion of all the bones of the skull (including the face and mouth) as well as the spine, sacrum, coccyx and pelvis. This helps the system come back to it’s natural, unobstructed state where it can function at its best. By freeing up these bones, we can then work deeper to release tensions within the meningeal membrane, the outer most part which is known as the dura mater and its far reaching fascial connections.
Since CST acts on the deepest structures and organs of the nervous system, the CST techniques influence movement and coordination, pain pathways, the digestive system, the respiratory system, heart function, the endocrine system… potentially the majority of the body systems, hence why people can notice a whole range of improvements in their health and not just with their sore back, etc!
Image of craniosacral system from Upledger Institute International