Craniosacral Therapy

What is craniosacral therapy?

Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, hands-on treatment that relieves stress and promotes healing. As its name suggests, this therapy focuses on the craniosacral system.

The craniosacral system begins at the top of your skull (cranium) and extends to your sacrum, the bone at the base of your spine. This system includes your facial bones and skull, as well as the brain, spinal cord, and the membranes and cerebrospinal fluids surrounding them.

Cerebrospinal fluid cushions these delicate structures, protecting them by absorbing shock, delivering nourishment, and clearing away toxins.

By targeting the craniosacral system with light touch, this therapy promotes wellness, improves immunity, and treats pain. 

What conditions may craniosacral therapy treat?

Stress and tight muscles affect the tissues and cerebrospinal fluid in your craniosacral system. These changes place tension on the brain and spinal cord.

The gentle pressure used during craniosacral therapy decompresses the system, removing blockages and improving the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. This enhances nervous system function and improves your body’s natural healing ability. 

Craniosacral therapy treats many conditions, including:

• Chronic back and neck pain
• Migraines
• Fibromyalgia
• Neuralgia
• Epilepsy
• Sinus infections
• Anxiety, stress, and depression
• Post-concussion syndrome
• Neurodegenerative diseases
• Complex regional pain syndrome
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder

People also use craniosacral therapy to reenergize and maintain wellness. 

What should I expect during craniosacral therapy?

After you relax on a massage table, your practitioner examines your craniosacral system. They use their hands to detect the subtle rhythm of movement in the system. Then they apply slight pressure, reposition your body, or use tissue-release methods to normalize the flow of cerebrospinal fluid.

Your session may last 30-90 minutes, depending on your underlying health condition and needs. During your session, you may feel so relaxed that you sleep or enter a meditation-like state. Some people feel like they're dreaming while awake or experience memories or deeper insight in their life or problems.

Am I a good candidate for craniosacral therapy?

Craniosacral therapy is safe and can improve nearly everyone's health. However, it's not appropriate for everyone. You shouldn't have the treatment if you have:

• Blood clots
• Severe bleeding disorder
• Brain aneurysm
• Cerebral swelling
• Recent traumatic brain injury
• Structural defects in the brain
• Disorder that affects cerebral fluid flow or pressure

If you have questions about craniosacral therapy or would like to learn how it can help you, call Back To You Osteopractic Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation or book an appointment online today.