CranioSacral Therapy Primer

Craniosacral therapy is a late 20th century discovery gaining traction in therapy circles for relief from chronic pain. Treated conditions may be an accident, old injury, stress, trauma or surgery.

"This therapy is so gentle that the body allows currently tense or painfully tight areas to relax and release, even after years of discomfort," says Jan Atwood, a craniosacral therapist practicing in Grand Rapid, Michigan. "Deep relaxation tends to open the way to a natural healing process on all levels of body, mind and spirit."

The craniosacral therapist understands how to find and correct certain restrictions and imbalances within the craniosacral system, which extends from the head (cranium) to lower back (sacrum). Through assessing the rhythmic "in and out" movement of the spinal fluid lubricating this system, she knows exactly where to apply techniques to bring release.

"Chronic neck pain, for example, is known to respond well to such therapy, whether the source is built-up tension or past whiplash," says Atwood. In this case, treatment of neck, head, shoulder and upper chest areas facilitate the flow of the fluid so that it returns to more normal unrestricted movement around the spine. In this way, both spine and brain may be nourished and cleared of toxins. In similar fashion, the head may be treated for headaches.

According to Atwood, back pain is another condition that can be permanently relieved by a series of sessions, where associated tension has come from overuse, stress, injury or childbirth. Appropriate areas are treated until relief is established. "Remember that everything is connected," she says.

In her practice, a typical craniosacral therapy session lasts about an hour. After assessing potential problems through "listening with the hands" to bodily rhythms, the practitioner sets about the deeply relaxing session using gentle techniques and a light touch of no more than five grams of pressure, about the weight of a nickel. The number of weekly sessions is determined by the severity of restrictions the client is experiencing and how well they respond to treatment.

Craniosacral became the founding therapy at The Upledger Institute in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida based on discovery of the craniosacral rhythm by Dr. John Upledger in 1970. He first felt the fluid’s movement during surgery, but could find no explanation for it from medical texts or colleagues. He also realized that the bones of the skull moved along with this rhythm. Through further original research at the Osteopathic College at Michigan State as a clinical researcher and professor of biomechanics, he succeeded in testing and documenting the phenonomeon.

In 1985, Dr. Upledger established the Institute to teach the public and healthcare practitioners about the benefits of craniosacral therapy. Atwood notes that this therapy is now widely practiced by osteopathic physicians, chiropractors, naturopathic doctors, physical therapists, occupational therapists, massage therapists and bodywork practitioners.

Source: Jan Atwood is a locally practicing craniosacral therapist and Reiki master. She accepts appointments at the Dominican Center at Marywood and Holistic Care Approach, both in Grand Rapids, and at Vorpi Chiropractic in Rockford, MI. For information call 616-915-4144, email Jan@JanAtwood.com or visit JanAtwood.com.

Source: Originally published in Natural Awakenings West Michigan May 2007 Women’s Health issue.