CranioSacral Therapy (CST), also referred as Cranial osteopathy, is a gentle, hands-on approach on a fully clothed body that releases tensions deep in the body to relieve pain and dysfunction and improve whole-body health and performance. It was pioneered and developed by Osteopathic Physician John E. Upledger after years of clinical testing and research at Michigan State University where he served as professor of biomechanics.

Using a soft touch which is generally no greater than 5 grams – about the weight of a nickel – practitioners release restrictions in the soft tissues that surround the central nervous system. CST is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability to bolster resistance to disease, and it's effective for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction, including:

Migraine Headaches

Chronic Neck and Back Pain

Motor-Coordination Impairments

Colic

Autism

Central Nervous System Disorders

Orthopedic Problems

Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries

Scoliosis

Infantile Disorders

Learning Disabilities

Chronic Fatigue

Emotional Difficulties

Stress and Tension-Related Problems

Fibromyalgia and other Connective-Tissue Disorders

Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ)

Neurovascular or Immune Disorders

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-Surgical Dysfunction

 

My personal training in CranioSacral Therapy has been through the Upledger Institute.  I have completed CranioSacral 1 and 2, Somatic Emotional Release 1 and 2 and Touching the Brain.  

SomatoEmotional Release (SER) is a therapeutic process that uses and expands on the principles of CranioSacral Therapy to help rid the mind and body of the residual effects of trauma both physical and emotional.

CranioSacral Therapy Touching The Brain-Stimulating Self-Correction Through The Glial Interface. Glial cells are major regulators of nervous system development, structure and function. They are involved in all aspects of nervous system health and pathology. The craniosacral system connects directly to the glial cell matrix of the brain and spinal cord. This connection is a powerful route by which CranioSacral Therapy glial technique can be used to improve nervous system structure, function, healing and health.

Upledger Foundation and The Ricky Williams Foundation have launched Concussion Program where CST is being studied as a treatment for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).  More information is on the video link on this page.