CranioSacral Therapy

What is CranioSacral Therapy?

CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle form of energy work where the practitioner uses hand placements around specific areas to allow the body to realign itself naturally. It is an osteopathic technique that releases restrictions of the central nervous system, based on myofascial release.

CranioSacral refers to the cranium (the head) and the sacrum (the base of the spine). You can think of the cranium as the "north pole" and the sacrum as the "south pole" of the spine. They act like a see-saw; if one bone pulls or tilts, the other bone responds directly.

The many layers of tissues in the body often become adhered to one another. These adhesions limit the independent motion of the various tissues which leads to pain, decreased circulation, and loss of function. CranioSacral Therapy helps restore the proper freedom of movement.

Because this energy method invites internal body movement and correction from the head to the sacrum, the spinal fluid is addressed and oftentimes readjusts itself to harmonize within the body. More space is made available to free the cranial bones from tightness, oftentimes releasing chronic head, neck and shoulder imbalance.

While receiving CranioSacral Therapy, a client is fully clothed and lies flat on the table and may fall asleep, feel recurring body movements, see colors, or experience vivid memories.

Pediatric CranioSacral Therapy

Cranial work is a natural fit for infants and children. It is extremely gentle and it supports the growth and development of the brain and nervous system. A combination of CranioSacral Therapy, visceral manipulation, and neural manipulation are utilized to treat children. These gentle therapies can resolve structural and functional issues and are perfectly suited to the special needs of infants and kids.

Common Pediatric Conditions Treated

Colic
Hip malalignment
Issues swallowing or latching on
Plagiocephaly* (cranial asymmetry)
Recurrent infections (sinus, ear, and/or lung)
Skin problems
Sleep issues
Torticollis (bent neck)

*This condition often requires a helmet to correct, however, CranioSacral Therapy can gently correct this and avoid a helmet in most cases

So many things have to progress during early pediatric development. The nervous system is expanding and building networks rapidly. When nerves are imbalanced they send too little or too much electricity. This can cause weakness or overstimulation of muscles. Skeletal muscles pull on bones to move them. Imbalances in these muscles can pull bones out of alignment, causing orthopedic problems. Other muscles like the diaphragm, heart, esophagus, stomach, intestines, etc. contract rhythmically, maintaining life. By treating the nervous system we can help unravel orthopedic problems as well as digestive issues. Of course, the nervous system includes the brain, cognitive function, mood, behavior, sleep, etc.