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Background on CranioSacral Therapy
Technically speaking, CranioSacral Therapy works with releasing the tissues and the membranes in the skull and along the spine into the sacrum, creating greater ease of movement and increased spinal fluid flow.
Practically speaking, CranioSacral therapy is helpful for a long and varied list of ailments and dysfunctions. It is helpful for injuries, both new and old, degenerative diseases, issues with the brain, emotional stress, and general balance and well being.
Developed by Dr. John Upledger in the early 1970s while working as a researcher and Professor of Biomechanics at Michigan State University, CranioSacral Therapy has grown to be accepted worldwide as an effective, safe and gentle means of restoring body function.
Building up on the original research done by William Sutherland, Dr. Upledger challenged the then common assumption that the bones of the cranium are fused in an adult. Dr. John successfully proved that the bones of the cranium of both adults and children are not fixed, but gently spread and contract with the ebb and flow of spinal fluid in the body. He also showed how not only the bones, but also the membranes inside the cranium are intrinsic to the functioning of the rest of the body. He also demonstrated how restrictions in the main membranes of the brain, such as the falx, can actually inhibit impulses traveling from one side of the brain to the other.
Early Beginnings
Osteopathic doctor William Sutherland did some interesting experiments with a modified large heavy helmet. He made this helmet with small adjustable pads on the inside that were attached to large screws that went through the helmet. Dr. Sutherland would wear this helmet and tighten one or more of the screws, causing the pad inside to apply pressure to a particular cranial bone. Then he would have his wife record any and all changes in Dr. Sutherland’s character and behaviour. With this experiment he successfully showed how imbalances and restrictions in the movement of the cranial bones can have not only a physical effect, but also an emotional and mental effect on our behaviour.
Discovering the main component of CST
Dr. Sutherland however still had not made the discovery of the CranioSacral System as we call it now. It was Dr. Upledger who realized that there was a fluid system that was pumping through the brain and the spinal cord even though there wasn’t a specific pumping organ for this system. He believes that the spinal fluid system functions hydraulically, with pressure static switches, but this has not been proven yet. What is certain is that when the spinal fluid pressure increases all the bones and the tissues of the body move in response to it. And when the pressure of the spinal fluid system falls, all the bones and tissues move again, falling back into their original position. This movement is very slight, but is palpable when you are trained to sense for it.
It is by sensing the movement, or the lack of movement, of this fluid flow in the body that a trained CranioSacral therapist is able to detect restrictions or other dysfunctions in the underlying tissues. Through the CranioSacral System a trained therapist is able to get in touch with the real underlying causes of conditions that are creating the symptoms causing discomfort. The beauty of CranioSacral Therapy is that it allows real effective improvement of most conditions beautifully and simply, with a generally light touch and patience.
More on Dr. John Upledger
Dr. Upledger is a medical doctor and an osteopathic doctor, and he has dedicated the larger part of his life to studying, learning, and sharing his knowledge of the amazing CranioSacral System. The Upledger Institute, based out of Palm Springs Florida, teaches therapists from all over the world how to detect and work with this CranioSacral System. His original curriculum has now developed and expanded into many different levels and branches of work delving into the origin of cells in the body, how the brain works, facilitating healing and helping people work with what was normally called terminal illness, and working with trapped emotions in the body.
You can vist his website by clicking HERE.