CranioSacral Therapy

CranioSacral Therapy (CST), developed by Dr. John E. Upledger, an osteopathic physician, is a treatment modality used within Occupational Therapy to assist the body in it’s natural healing abilities to balance and enhance body functions.

CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle form of manual therapy that can be beneficial for both adults and children. Benefits, or areas that can be affected can include:

• Ease head, neck, spine and pelvic discomfort.
• Relieve chronic pain and restore function
• Assist the body’s natural healing mechanism to dissipate the negative effects of stress.
• Enhance focus, concentration and attention.
• Improve colic and reflux, constipation, chronic ear infections, torticollis, sleep, self regulation, attention and motor skills in infants and children.

The craniosacral system, which includes the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround the brain and spinal cord, extends from the bones of the head and face down to the tailbone. This system connects with every part of the body—nerves, muscles, organs, and the respiratory, circulatory and digestive systems.

Trauma during the birth process (both to the mother and the child), chronic and repetitive stress, emotional events, and physical injury can cause restrictions within the craniosacral system. These restrictions can negatively impact both our physical and emotional health.

Using a light touch, the rhythmical motions of the craniosacral system are carefully monitored for restrictions that may influence function of the body and central nervous system. These restrictions, or imbalances, are then released using gentle manual techniques, relieving any undue pressure on the brain and spinal cord. In turn, this assists and facilitates the body’s innate desire to find a more balanced, relaxed and comfortable state.

As CranioSacral Therapy helps improve central nervous system functioning, it can directly impact sensory, motor and neurological responses.