CranioSacral Therapy
Dr. John Upledger, an Osteopathic physician and surgeon, developed CranioSacral Therapy while he was doing research at Michigan State University in the early 1980’s. Dr. Upledger, is the founder of The Upledger Institute a clinical and educational resource center dedicated to health enhancement. The Upledger Institute trains CranioSacral Therapists and there are currently over 70,000 trained therapists world-wide.
CranioSacral Therapy (CST) improves the resiliency of the autonomic nervous system and as result a reduction of stress is achieved. Plus, CST enhances the flow of all fluids throughout the body and consequently improves resistance to disease and overall immune response.
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. CST is a gentle, non-invasive manipulative technique. The pressure used for treatment seldom exceeds five grams, the weight of a nickel. Practitioners release restrictions in the CranioSacral system to improve the functioning of the central nervous system. The initial evaluation is done by testing the mobility of various parts of the CranioSacral system and these tests alone are frequently enough to remove obstructions. The touch is light and non-invasive, utilizing the client’s own natural self-correcting mechanisms to affect positive physical change. The CranioSacral system is a significant part of the physiological environment in which the brain and spinal cord develop and function. If for any reason this system becomes dysfunctional, the brain and spinal cord may also be compromised. Thus, any part of the body or its system, which is influenced by the brain or spinal cord, may be affected. 70-80% of CranioSacral restrictions are caused by held body restrictions elsewhere in the body. As the therapist helps the client release these body tensions CST becomes a whole mind, body, psychological therapy.
By complementing the body's natural healing processes, CST is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability to increase resistance to disease, and is 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
Somato Emotional Release (SER)
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. SER offers applications designed to enhance results using CST and other complementary therapies.
