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CranioSacral
Therapy works by helping the body's natural healing
mechanisms dissipate the negative effects of stress on
the central nervous system.
This is accomplished
through utilizing a physiological body system called the
craniosacral system, which maintains the environment in
which the central nervous system functions. It consists
of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround
and protect the brain and spinal cord, extending from
the bones of the skull, face and mouth (which make up
the cranium) down to the tailbone area (or sacrum). The
role of this system in the development and performance
of the brain and spinal cord is so vital that an
imbalance or dysfunction in it can cause sensory, motor
and/or neurological disabilities.
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Because of its influence on the
functioning of the central nervous system, CranioSacral
Therapy can benefit the body in a number of ways --
from bolstering overall health and resistance to
disease, to alleviating a wide range of specific medical
conditions.
Among CST's
largest patient groups are those suffering chronic
symptoms that haven't been aided by other approaches. In
particular, CST
is beneficial to those with head, neck or back injuries
resulting from an accident -- be it from a car, sports
or work mishap, or from a fall. The extremely light
touch involved in the application of CST
makes it a safe approach for children, infants and
newborns with early traumas, including birth trauma.
They especially can benefit from the timely
identification and release of restrictions in the
craniosacral system, thereby preventing future
difficulties, such as learning disabilities or
hyperactivity.
Another area of principal
effectiveness is with stress-related dysfunctions such
as Insomnia, fatigue, headaches, poor digestion, anxiety
and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction are just a
few examples. CranioSacral
Therapy works to reverse the debilitating effects of
stress by providing the conditions in which the nervous
system can rest and rejuvenate. In fact, it's this
capacity to reduce stress that's leading an increasing
number of people to include CST
as part of their wellness routines. Other conditions for
which CranioSacral
Therapy has shown to be effective are various
sensory disorders. Among these are eye-motor
coordination problems, autism, dyslexia; loss of taste
or smell, tinnitus, vertigo, and neuralgias such as
sciatica and tic douloureux.
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There are certain situations where
application of CST
would not be recommended. These include conditions where
a variation and/or slight increase in intra cranial
pressure would cause instability; such as acute
aneurysm, cerebral hemorrhage or other preexisting
severe bleeding disorders. The small intra cranial
pressure changes could cause negative effects with these
conditions.
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Response to CST
varies from individual to individual and condition to
condition. Your response is uniquely your own and can't
be compared to anyone else's -- even those cases that
may appear to be similar to your own. The number of
sessions needed varies widely -- from just one up to
three or more a week over the course of several
weeks.
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It was in 1970, during a neck
surgery in which he was assisting, that osteopathic
physician John E. Upledger first observed the rhythmic
movement of what would soon be identified as the
crainosacral system. None of his colleagues nor any of
the medical texts at the time could explain this
discovery.
His curiosity piqued, Dr. Upledger
began searching for the answer. He started with the
research of Dr. William Sutherland the father of cranial
osteopathy. For some 20 years beginning in the early
1900s, Sutherland had explored the concept that the
bones of the skull were structured to allow for
movement. For decades after, this theory remained at
odds with the beliefs of the scientific and medical
communities. Dr. Upledger believed, however, that if
Sutherland's theory of cranial movement was in fact
true, this would help explain, and make feasible, the
existence of the rhythm he had encountered in
surgery.
It was at this point that Dr. Upledger
set out to scientifically confirm the existence of
cranial bone motion. From 1975 until 1983 he served as
clinical researcher and Professor of Biomechanics at
Michigan State University, where he supervised a team of
anatomists, physiologists, biophysicists and
bioengineers in research and testing. The results not
only confirmed Sutherland's theory, but led to
clarification of the mechanisms behind this motion --
the craniosacral system. Dr. Upledger's continued work
in the field ultimately resulted in his development of
CranioSacral
Therapy.
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