CranioSacral Therapy
Although
traditional medicine cannot explain the exact therapeutic mechanism of
craniosacral therapy, I have seen some patients get significant pain
relief from this technique. I offer it as an alternative therapy for
patients with degenerative disease of the spine who are not surgical
candidates or for those who would like to explore all avenues of
non-surgical therapy. Mark R. McLaughlin, M.D
CranioSacral Therapy for small animals is an emerging field. The Upledger Institute has offered Equine CST for some time and is now offering a class in CST for small animals. Kim was one of the first people to take this Upledger class taught by Sally Morgan PT CST in 2005/2006. She has also completed CST I and CST II for our human counterparts and will complete CST II for small animals when it is offered.
Below
are some frequently asked questions about CST. This is directed towards
the human CST work as the small animal work is so new. The information
below, however, does apply to animals as well.
How does CranioSacral Therapy work?
CranioSacral
Therapy works by helping the body's natural healing mechanisms
dissipate the negative effects of stress on the central nervous system.
This
is accomplished through utilizing a physiological body system called
the craniosacral system, which maintains the environment in which the
central nervous system functions. It consists of the membranes and
cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal
cord, extending from the bones of the skull, face and mouth (which make
up the cranium) down to the tailbone area (or sacrum).
The role of this system in the development and performance of the brain
and spinal cord is so vital that an imbalance or dysfunction in it can
cause sensory, motor and/or neurological disabilities.
Like the pulse of the cardiovascular system,
the craniosacral system has a rhythm that can be felt throughout the
body. Using a touch generally no heavier than the weight of a nickel,
skilled practitioners can monitor this rhythm at key body points to
pinpoint the source of an obstruction or stress.
Once a source has been determined, they can assist the natural movement
of the fluid and related soft tissue to help the body self-correct.
This simple action is often all it takes to remove a restriction. Other
times, CST may be combined with other complementary therapies to help
restore the body to its optimum functioning level.
What conditions can CranioSacral Therapy help?
Because
of its influence on the functioning of the central nervous system,
CranioSacral Therapy can benefit the body in a number of ways from
bolstering overall health and resistance to disease to alleviating a
wide range of specific medical conditions.
Among
CST's largest patient groups are those suffering chronic symptoms that
haven't been aided by other approaches. In particular, CST is
beneficial to those with head, neck or back injuries resulting from an
accident be it from a car, sports or work mishap or from a fall. The
extremely light touch involved in the application of CST makes it a
safe approach as well for children, infants and newborns with early
traumas, including birth trauma. They especially can benefit from the
timely identification and release of restrictions in the craniosacral
system, thereby preventing future difficulties such as learning
disabilities or hyperactivity.
Another
area of principal effectiveness is with stress-related dysfunction's.
Insomnia, fatigue, headaches, poor digestion, anxiety and
temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction are just a few examples.
CranioSacral Therapy works to reverse the debilitating effects of
stress by providing the conditions in which the nervous system can rest
and rejuvenate. In fact, it's this capacity to reduce stress that's
leading an increasing number of people to include CST as part of their
wellness routines.
Other
conditions for which CranioSacral Therapy has shown to be effective are
various sensory disorders. Among these are eye-motor coordination
problems, autism, dyslexia, loss of taste or smell, tinnitus, vertigo and neuralgias such as sciatica and tic douloureux.
Is there any condition for which CST shouldn't be used?
There are certain situations where application of CST would not be recommended. These include conditions where a variation and/or slight
increase in intracranial pressure would cause instability. Acute
aneurysm, cerebral hemorrhage or other preexisting severe bleeding
disorders are examples of conditions that could be affected by small
intracranial pressure changes.
How many CranioSacral Therapy sessions will I need?
Response
to CST varies from individual to individual and condition to condition.
Your response is uniquely your own and can't be compared to anyone
else's even those cases that may appear to be similar to your own.
The number of sessions needed varies widely from just one up to three
or more a week over the course of several weeks.
When was CranioSacral Therapy developed?
It
was in 1970, during a neck surgery in which he was assisting, that
osteopathic physician John E. Upledger first observed the rhythmic
movement of what would soon be identified as the craniosacral system.
None of his colleagues nor any of the medical texts at the time could
explain this discovery, however.
His
curiosity piqued, Dr. Upledger began searching for the answer. He
started with the research of Dr. William Sutherland, the father of
cranial osteopathy. For some
20 years beginning in the early 1900s, Sutherland had explored the
concept that the bones of the skull were structured to allow for
movement. For decades after, this theory remained at odds with the
beliefs of the scientific and medical communities. Dr. Upledger
believed, however, that if Sutherlands theory of cranial movement was
in fact true, this would help explain, and make feasible, the existence
of the rhythm he had encountered in surgery.
It was at this point that Dr. Upledger set
out to scientifically confirm the existence of cranial bone motion.
From 1975 to 1983 he served as clinical researcher and Professor of
Biomechanics at Michigan State University,
where he supervised a team of anatomists, physiologists, biophysicists
and bioengineers in research and testing. The results not only
confirmed Sutherland?s theory, but led to clarification of the
mechanisms behind this motion the craniosacral system. Dr. Upledgers
continued work in the field ultimately resulted in his development of
CranioSacral Therapy.
What is The Upledger Institute?
The Upledger Institute is a health resource center located in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, that's recognized worldwide for its groundbreaking continuing-education programs, clinical research and therapeutic services.
The
Institute was founded in 1985 by Dr. Upledger to educate the public and
healthcare practitioners about the benefits of CranioSacral Therapy. It
conducts hundreds of workshops throughout the world each year,
educating healthcare practitioners of many diverse disciplines in CST.
To date, more than 50,000 have been trained. Among them are osteopaths,
medical doctors, doctors of chiropractic, doctors of Oriental medicine,
naturopathic physicians, psychiatric specialists, psychologists,
dentists, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists,
acupuncturists, massage therapists and other professional bodyworkers.
Also located in Palm Beach Gardens
is The Upledger Institute, Inc., HealthPlex Clinical Services. This
innovative clinic offers both private sessions and unique
intensive-therapy programs that address such conditions as migraine
headaches, traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, chronic neck and
back pain, emotional difficulties, motor-coordination impairments,
stress and tension-related problems, central nervous system disorders,
temporomandibular joint dysfunction, orthopedic problems, chronic
fatigue, scoliosis, neurovascular or immune disorders, infantile
disorders, colic, post-traumatic stress disorder, autism, disabilities,
fibromyalgia and other connective-tissue disorders. In addition, UI
HealthPlex provides infancy-to-preschool evaluations and helpful
one-day ShareCare® seminars designed for the general public.
Read and article in Time Magazine siting the best of altenative modalities
Innovators Time 100: The Next Wave, Alternative Medicine
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