Other natural treatments for
arthritisCraniosacral therapy
Author/s: Leonard C. Bruno
Craniosacral therapy is a holistic, hands-on technique involving gentle manipulation of
the bones of the skull, the underlying meningeal membranes, and the nerve endings in the
scalp.
Purpose for Craniosacral Therapy
Craniosacral therapy is employed to treat a range of conditions from headaches,
dizziness, and whiplash to sinus and ear infections. Release of abnormal pressure in the
skull is believed to correct imbalances in the cerebrospinal fluid system and allow the
body to better heal itself and maintain health.
Precautions before Craniosacral Therapy
Since the practitioner's hands apply only gentle pressure to the skull, this
noninvasive technique is virtually without danger to the patient.
Description of Craniosacral Therapy
Cranial manipulation has existed as a therapy since the 1930s, when an American
osteopath, William Garner Sutherland, first theorized that because the bones of the skull
were not fused into a single piece but rather had seams and could be moved slightly,
perhaps their manipulation could have some effect on a person's health. He then discovered
that compression of the skull had an effect due to the pressure exerted on the
cerebrospinal fluid that permanently surrounds and bathes the brain and spinal cord. He
also postulated that this fluid has a natural, rise-and-fall rhythm of its own that an
experienced hand can detect. He argued that the trained hand also could detect spots on
the skull that cause points of restriction, leading to abnormal fluid rhythm. He believed
that this irregular rhythm could lead to dysfunction and poor health.
Modern craniosacral therapists are trained to manipulate the meninges as well as the
seams of the skull (and sometimes the bones of the face). These underlying meningeal
membranes cover the brain and the entire length of the spinal cord, extending from the
skull to the sacrum at the end of the spine. During a consultation, the practitioner
usually will have the patient lie on a massage table and will palpate gently the patient's
skull and spine. If the practitioner also is an osteopathic physician, a complete physical
and case history is usually obtained before treating the patient. This touching is
essential to the practitioner who must be able to "listen" with her hands to
what is called the cranial rhythmic impulse. This pulsation is distinct from both the
familiar cardiovascular pulse and the normal breathing rhythm. To the experienced
practitioner, this pulse has a cycle of three seconds of inflow and three seconds of rest,
averaging 10 cycles per minute. Interruption of the inflow by abnormal restrictions, such
as from an injury, or by abnormal tension patterns may result in problems such as
dizziness, migraine headaches, and sinus problems.
Once the practitioner identifies these patterns of congestion or resistance and locates
their cause, she gently performs the manipulation, freeing the resistance and restoring
the natural balance to the pulse. Patients sometimes become aware of changes immediately
and feel heat and tingling accompanying their sense of deep relaxation. Sometimes,
however, a patient's symptoms may become slightly worse for a day or two before the body's
natural healing system takes over. Treatments are usually weekly, but patients should have
no need to continue this therapy for an extended period of time.
Risks of Craniosacral Therapy
The pressure exerted on the skull by the practitioner is focused but gentle, and the
sutures of the bones allow only the slightest of movement. Therefore, there is virtually
no risk involved in the hands of a qualified practitioner. Although it is safe for people
of all ages from newborns to the elderly, this therapy should not be used to the exclusion
of conventional medicine in case a serious disease is involved.
Normal results
For adults, craniosacral therapy can be especially useful in treating problems of the
head, such as migraines, tinnitus, and sinus problems, as well as for injuries to the
head, neck, and spine. For children, it is often used after a traumatic delivery to treat
chronic ear infections. Others claim it can help with problems of constant crying, colic,
and hyperactivity. |
