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Craniosacral
Therapy
What
is craniosacral therapy?
What
is the background of craniosacral therapy?
What
are the indications for craniosacral therapy?
What
are the contraindications for craniosacral therapy?
What is craniosacral therapy?
- Craniosacral therapy
involves two forms of gentle manipulation.
- The therapist may
exert a slight pressure on the sutures or connections between the cranial
(head) bones.
- The therapist also
places a small amount of pressure to distract the head, neck, or spine.
- These adjustments
are felt to restore a balance to the nervous system and surrounding
structures that support it.
What is the background
of craniosacral therapy?
- Two doctors of
osteopathy are generally credited with the development of the theories
and techniques that we now know as craniosacral therapy.
- In the 1930's and
1940's, Dr. William Sutherland developed the concept of cranial osteopathy,
noting that gentle manipulation around the head and neck could have
a profound benefit for people with a wide array of problems.
- Since the 1970's,
Dr. John Upledger rediscovered this technique and helped to advance
the therpeutic approach and scientific basis.
- There is evidence
that slight play or movement exists between the cranial sutures (connection
between the bones that make up the skull).
- There is evidence
of a rhythmic flow or rhythm of the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), the
fluid that cushions the brain and spinal cord.
- While it is difficult to
show scientifically, our understanding is that with certain physical
or emotional problems there may be a disturbance in the movement of
the sutures and normal rhythmic flow of the CSF. The hope is that gentle
manual treatment by a therapist can restore the normal pattern of movement
in these areas.
What are the indications
for craniosacral therapy?
Experience at UPMC and elsewhere have found benefit for several groups
of problems including:
What
are the contraindications for craniosacral therapy?
- There are no specific
contraindications to craniosacral therapy.
- Craniosacral therapy,
like other complementary approaches, should not be used in lieu of standard
medical treatments.
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