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What is Cranio-Sacral Therapy?
Several decades
ago, osteopath John Upledger discovered a pulse in the
body, separate from breathing or heart rate, that was
generated within the membranes surrounding the skull
and spinal cord. By monitoring and regulating this pulse,
he found that he was able to diagnose and cure a wide
variety of conditions.
Before the pioneering work of Dr Upledger and his predecessors, the
existence of the craniosacral pulse was unknown in the United States,
and
the bones of the skull were considered immovable. CST has been
controversial, largely because of skepticism over his unorthodox anatomical
discoveries, which have now been verified by numerous researchers.
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The objective
of CST is to encourage the body and the central nervous
system to correct itself. It is a gentle, non-invasive
form of touch therapy which uses the cranio-sacral system's
rhythm to detect and balance restrictions that can cause
pain and dysfunction throughout the body. This light
touch allows the practitioner to gently meld with the
client and encourage neurologic release to occur, sometimes
achieving significant depth but never
inflicting pain (although sometimes releasing it). Little
by little, this removes tensions and structural distortions
from the client's
body. Since function follows structure, this can relieve a wide
range of conditions by removing the root cause.
CST can be used to effectively treat pain, orthopedic disorders, fibromyalgia,
chronic fatigue and many other problems. It is especially helpful for
trauma following a car accident. Many people receive this specialized
form of therapy simply to relax and reduce tension, or to
increase their general level of well-being and health.
The cranio-sacral membranes enclose a circulating fluid, called cerebrospinal
fluid, which nourishes and cleanses the brain and spinal cord.
If restrictions prevent this circulation, pressures may be exerted
on the soft tissue of the membranes and the central nervous system,
adversely affecting the development and function of the brain and spinal
cord. This
can result in sensory, motor and intellectual dysfunction.
There is a physical dynamic of connective tissue (fascia) that allows
traumatic energy to exit the body during CST. Somato-emotional release
(the release of negative emotions from current or past traumas by crying,
giggling, sighing, etc.) may also occur in addition to tension released
physically by the muscles, usually by relaxation and a feeling of heat
or
tingling.
A session lasts approximately 90 minutes. You remain fully-clothed
and relax comfortably face up. It allows you to regenerate yourself;
a preventative, maintenance and restorative therapy for much of what
ails you, promoting greater resilience and higher functioning in your
daily life.
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