“What we do is take away obstacles, like removing stones from a road”
Dr. John E. Upledger
CranioSacral Therapy (CST) was pioneered and developed by osteopathic physician John E. Upledger following extensive scientific studies from 1975 to 1983 at Michigan State University, where he served as a clinical researcher and Professor of Biomechanics.
CST is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system - comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.
Using a soft touch generally no greater than 5 grams, or about the weight of a nickel, practitioners release restrictions in the craniosacral system and throughout the body to improve the functioning of the central nervous system. The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord. It is referred to as “central” because it combines information from the entire body and coordinates activity across the whole organism.
A primary focus of CranioSacral Therapy is to gently lessen the body’s connective tissue strain and decrease meningeal stress. CranioSacral Therapy is based partly on the theory that certain light-touch manual techniques can help relieve cell stress and improve health by enhancing the form and balance of the connective tissue matrix, in particular connective tissue layers surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Enhanced brain form enables brain cells to work at their optimal level, which may improve molecular production, movement, use and clearance throughout the brain, leading to enhanced brain function and improved brain health. Because an emphasis of CranioSacral Therapy is on facilitating correction of the whole-body connective tissue matrix, it can be used for a wide range of conditions, including:
Chronic Pain
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
Post-Concussion Syndrome
Brain-Gut Axis issues
Gut Disorders
My personal training in CranioSacral Therapy has been primarily through the Upledger Institute. In CranioSacral 1 and 2 the gentle techniques are refined to normalize the craniosacral system which allows the body to self-correct and naturally help to eliminate stress, strengthen resistance to disease and enhance health in every dimension. Somatic Emotional Release 1 and 2 I began to use and expand on the principles of CranioSacral Therapy to help rid the mind and body of the residual effects of trauma both physical and emotional.
From there I explored the training the focused on the brain and spinal cord. Using the craniosacral system to access through the brain and spinal through the glial cell matrix in the Touching the Brain series. Then with the Brain Speaks improving the relationship with the brain and learning to work therapeutically with the brain and its parts.
Most recently I have received training in working in the gut through the structure and function of the Second Brain, the Enteric Nervous System. By looking at recent research in the new field of neurogastroenterology and combine this with new understandings of tissue/cellular memory within the gut itself. By exploring the connection of the enteric nervous system to the central nervous system we dive into the Gut-Brain connection also known as the gut brain axis. The gut-brain axis (GBA) consists of bidirectional communication between the central and the enteric nervous system, linking emotional and cognitive centers of the brain with peripheral intestinal functions.
Anyone and everyone is a good candidate for CranioSacral therapy.