What
is Cranial Osteopathy?
Cranial osteopathy has many similarities with the oldest
known method of healing; the laying on of hands. The osteopath
combines healing intention with a knowledge of anatomy, using
the hands to "listen" for restrictions or strains
in the body.
Why Call it Cranial
Mainly for historical reasons. Dr Sutherland, who was the
originator of cranial osteopathy, devised a system of correcting
cranial bone restrictions using manipulation. He tested many
of his early theories on his own head, keeping detailed records
of the symptoms that came and went when he created, then
removed, a variety of cranial bone restrictions. He experienced
symptoms such as depression and severe head and jaw pain
that were a direct cause of the restrictions he created.
What About the Rest of the Body
Although originally the focus was on the bones of the skull,
it soon became obvious that the rest of the body was involved.
Altering the bones of the skull affects, in particular the
sacrum. The sacrum is the bone that joins your spine to your
pelvis. If the pelvis is twisted, tilted or unbalanced it
will have an effect through the sacrum and its attachments
all the way up the spine and into the base of the cranium.
This interplay between the cranial bones and the sacrum is
small but persistent.
However, bones are held in position by muscles,
ligaments, tendons and fascia and it is the interplay of
all these forces that is important.
What is Craniosacral
Therapy?
The Craniosacral approach evolved from Cranial Osteopathy
and includes an awareness of the effects of emotional stress
on the body. During this extremely gentle therapy the osteopath
senses and manipulates using "directed energy" in
a similar way to that used by yoga experts. The difference
is that while advanced yoga practitioners can regulate many
of their own internal processes using mental imagery and
conscious visualisation, cranial therapists produce similar
effects without the patient's own visualisation being necessary.
This way of "reading" and treating
the body often reveals much about the emotional and psychic
well-being of the patient and many people find Craniosacral Therapy a valuable
tool for developing self-awareness and even spiritual awareness.
Craniosacral Therapy lies at the interface between body and mind. Anyone who
meditates regularly will be familiar with working in this
area.
Can Craniosacral Therapy Help Me?
Craniosacral Therapy is so gentle that it is safe and suitable
for people of all ages. Indeed, it is often appropriate when
other therapies may be unsafe, such as during pregnancy,
after an operation, accident, fall or injury, and for young
babies, and in fragile or acutely painful conditions.
As a whole body therapy, Craniosacral Therapy may aid people with almost
any condition, by raising the vitality and enabling the body's
own self-healing processes to be used.
However you don't have to be ill or have
any particular symptoms to benefit from Craniosacral Therapy. The alleviation
of life's stresses, and the increased sense of vitality and
well-being that Craniosacral Therapy can bring are welcome to most of us at
any time.
How Does it Feel
Apart from your shoes, you can remain fully dressed. You
will be lying on a treatment couch on an air mattress. Most
people are surprised at the gentle contacts and lightness
of touch during the treatment. It is easy to fall asleep
but if you can stay awake, you will get more benefit from
the treatment. You may feel a deep sense of relaxation, and
possibly become aware of heat, tingling, pulsations or other
sensations and as physical restrictions are eased a sense
of lightness and well being follows.
By the second or third treatment, most people report feeling
much better "within themselves" in addition to
changes in any presenting symptoms.
Since it is your body (rather than your mind) that sets
the priorities, you may find that the reason that you came
for treatment is not what changes first. Also, some people
find that it can take a few sessions to get used to what
they are feeling. For these reasons, you should consider
having a series of treatments to gain the full benefit of
Craniosacral Therapy and its cumulative effects.
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The
Craniosacral Model
Every cell in a healthy body expresses a
rhythmic movement which is fundamental to life. At the core
of the body the cerebrospinal fluid, which bathes and cushions
the brain and spinal cord, expresses this motion in a tide-like
ebb and flow; we call this the “Craniosacral Rhythm”.
Craniosacral therapists are trained to feel this subtle motion
in the body, and can use it to identify areas where there
is congestion or restriction.
How Does Cranial Treatment Work?
In response to physical or emotional trauma, the body's
tissues contract. Sometimes, particularly when the shock
is severe, or occurs within an emotional situation, the tissues
stay contracted. Any stresses, strains, tensions or traumas
which have been "stored" in the body in this way
will restrict the body's functioning and may give rise to
problems over the years. The effects may be both physical
(such as back pain, migraine or digestive disorders) and
emotional (such as anxiety or depression).
The craniosacral motion will be absent or modified around
injured areas in the body. This will lead the therapist to
problem areas in the body. Then, using the hands to reflect
back to the body the pattern it is holding, the therapist
provides an opportunity for the restrictive pattern to release
and return to an easier mode of functioning.
This happens at a deep, unconscious level
within the body, but it occurs in the same way as we might
take other, more conscious decisions. For example, if someone
holds a mirror in front of you when you are frowning, you
suddenly become aware of your expression and may well choose
to relax your eyebrows. The result is a reduction in the
amount of energy wasted in holding unnecessary tension.
Commonly Treated Conditions
I treat an ever-increasing number of people who have been
injured in car accidents or falls. Neck and head pain comes
a close second. Then jaw and TMJ problems, face pain, sinus
pain and easing backache during pregnancy.
The following is a list of some of the wide range of conditions
which may respond favourably to treatment:
Allergies, arthritis, asthma, autism, back
pain, birth trauma, bone/joint disorders, breathing disorders,
bronchitis, cerebral palsy, colic, depression, digestive
problems, drug withdrawal, dyslexia, emotional problems,
exhaustion, frozen shoulder, headaches/migraine, hormonal
imbalances, impotence, infertility, insomnia, learning difficulties,
menstrual pain, muscular aches/sprains, nervous disorders,
post dental trauma, rheumatism, sciatica, sinusitis, spinal
curvatures, stress-related conditions, TMJ/jaw disorders,
trigeminal neuralgia, visual disturbances.
Cranial Treatment For Babies
Babies tend to
respond well to treatment, and much more quickly than adults.
Many infant problems, like colic, sucking problems, breathing
difficulties, restlessness and irritability, may result from
craniosacral imbalances caused during the birth process.
Treatment of young infants may help to relieve such problems.
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