Craniosacral Therapy - Indications and Benefits

Introduction:

Craniosacral therapy, as the name suggests, refers to a therapy done to the cranium (skull) and sacrum through gentle touches or osteopathic manipulation to relieve tension and stress. This also helps establish the natural state and flow of cerebrospinal fluid. The brain is enclosed in the skull (cranium) and is present floating on the cerebrospinal fluid, which also helps in providing cushioning for the brain. The brain is further covered by three membranes, known as meninges which help protect the central nervous system.

What Is the Origin of This Therapy?

During the 1970s, John E. Upledger, an osteopathic physician, found out about the rhythmic movement of the craniosacral system. The cranial bone motion was scientifically proven during the 1900s. His continued work led to the development of this new therapy, craniosacral therapy (CST), which involves the manipulation of the bones and soft tissues. Following this, Dr. William Garner Sutherland further modified this research and found out that the bones are not fully fused, and some amount of rhythmic movements can be felt in the cranium. This was the basis of craniosacral therapy.

How Is It Done?

Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a non-invasive therapy that helps in relieving pain and stress due to compression. This session can last up to two hours, and the number of sessions differs on the needs and results of the individual. The therapist will ask the patient to lie on a table and help in healing through gentle touches by placing the hands on the head and sacrum. A weight of five grams, which is approximately the weight of nickel, is used for this treatment. Tissue-release methods are done to restore the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluids. During the treatment, the following sensations can be expected:

• A deeply relaxed feeling after therapy.

• There might be some pulsating sensations in the therapeutic area.

• A numbing or a pin and needle sensation will be felt by the individual.

• Sometimes, a hot or cold sensation may also be felt by the individual.

• Some tend to sleep during this therapy.

How Does It Work?

Generally, massaging helps improve blood circulation to the applied area, and this is the basis of craniosacral therapy. To improve circulation, any compression present in that area will be relieved. The patient experiences a pleasant and soothing feeling, and therefore problems like stress and anxiety are also relieved.

What Are the Fundamental Principles of Craniosacral Therapy?

1. Placing the Hands: The therapist places the hands over the cranium or the sacrum and waits to feel the impulse or the rhythmic sensation.

2. Projecting Into the Body: The therapist now slowly feels musculoskeletal elements of the cranium through light touches. Sometimes the therapist will drop in deep inside the cranium to provide a dynamic massage that will help relieve tension.

3. Palpation: The therapist then will wait and palpate the tissue tension, fluid pressure, and rhythm, and manipulation is done accordingly.

4. Restrictions to Normal Motion: There are varied factors that may affect the mobility of the tissues either actively or passively, including active inflammations, swollen tissues, and hard and soft fixations of the tissues.

5. Interpretation of Craniosacral Rhythm: The cranial respiratory impulse is evaluated in terms of frequency, amplitude, symmetry, and characteristics. It will help the therapist in diagnosing the underlying problems and provide appropriate levels of therapy.

6. Releasing Tissues: There are two types of tissue releases, direct and indirect release. The direct release will directly interfere with the distorted tissue, and the tight muscles are stretched. But indirect release involves a corrective effort that will help aggregate the distortion and wait for the patient’s response to the same.

7. Proprioceptive Listening: Listening to the neurological rhythms and refraining from stimulating the patient can be a powerful therapeutic modality. After therapy, the body comes alive pulsating, processing, and revealing a mind of its own.

8. Unwinding: Unwinding is the corrective physiologic motion that will be induced by the central nervous system. It is a spontaneous release by positioning, in which the position keeps changing.

What Are the Indications?

• Chronic Back and Neck Pain: Individuals who have long-standing cases of neck and back pain due to musculoskeletal problems can be treated.

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome: It is a disorder of the intestine causing stomach pain, diarrhea, and constipation.

• Migraine Headaches: Migraine headaches can cause severe throbbing or pulsating sensations, and there will be extreme sensitivity to light.

• Stress: Stress can be relieved by craniosacral therapy.

• Insomnia: It is a sleep disorder in which the individual finds it difficult to fall asleep.

• Sinus Infections: Sinuses are air-filled spaces in the face, and any infection in the sinuses can cause pain, and this pain can be relieved through craniosacral therapy.

• Constipation: It is a condition in which there is inability or difficulty to excrete, and craniosacral therapy has helped treat this condition.

• Autism: It is a developmental disorder in which the affected individual has behavioral problems and difficulty in communication.

• Dementia: It is a condition that affects the memory of the patient, and then cognitive skills like thinking, reasoning, and remembering are lost.

• Temporomandibular Joint Pain: Temporomandibular joint helps in the opening and closing of the jaw, and pain can occur due to musculoskeletal problems or infection.

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): It is a developmental disability that will create problems in attention, and the affected individuals may be hyperactive and impulsive.

• Learning Disabilities: Many learning disabilities have been treated through craniosacral therapy.

• Colic: Colic is a condition occurring in babies, often accompanied by crying more than three times a day, that may look like an expression of pain.

• Motor Coordination Problems: Motor coordination problems can be rectified through craniosacral therapy.

• Chronic Fatigue: Fatigue and tiredness that is consistent for a long time can be treated through craniosacral therapy.

• Fibromyalgia: It is a musculoskeletal condition that causes pain and mood disorders.

• Post-traumatic Stress: Stress causes post-trauma can be healed through this therapy.

What Are the Benefits of Craniosacral Therapy?

• Craniosacral therapy (CST) has helped patients alleviate chronic pain.

• It has helped improve the quality of life of the patients affected with central nervous system disorders.

• Severe migraines can be cured through craniosacral therapy.

• It helps relieve stress and anxiety and promotes sleep.

• In patients with developmental disorders, it has significantly helped alleviate symptoms drastically.

What Are the Contraindications?

Craniosacral therapy (CST) is contraindicated in head injuries, hydrocephalus, intracranial hemorrhage, brain aneurysm, and blood clotting disorders. Young children below two years of age are also contraindicated for this therapy due to incomplete development of bones.

Conclusion

The efficacy of craniosacral therapy (CST) is still being tested, and much research is being done to prove its effectiveness. However, the side effects and risks of this therapy are pretty low in people who do not have bigger complications. The individual can feel a sense of relief due to the stress and anxiety reduction at the end of this therapy. Positive patient outcomes have been documented after craniosacral therapy.