CranioSacral therapy
CranioSacral therapy is so gentle that it is suitable for babies, children, the elderly, as well as adults. Treatment can aid almost any condition, raising vitality and improving the body’s capacity for self-repair. You may experience states of deep relaxation, heat, tingling sensations and energy releases. CST is so gentle that it is safe and suitable for people of all ages, from babies to the elderly, and also people in fragile or acutely painful conditions. It is safe to do during the second and third trimester in pregnancy, after an operation, accident, fall or injury, and for young babies.
What can I expect from a CranioSacral Therapy treatment?
A CranioSacral Therapy treatment takes place in a quiet, private setting. You remain fully clothed as you relax on a comfortable, treatment table. Your therapist begins by gently touching usually the feet to evaluate the rhythm of the fluid that is flowing around your central nervous system.
By carefully listening with the hands to locate areas of reduced fluid flow or restricted tissue motion, your practitioner can trace through the body to the origin of these. Delicate, precise and effective manual techniques are then used to release body tissues in these problem areas and improve the function of your central nervous system. While many techniques are carried out from the cranium and / or sacrum, your practitioner may also work on other parts of the body when that is relevant for you.
A treatment can last up to an hour or more. It can be used alone or integrated with other therapies to create powerful effects. What you experience from a session is highly individual and can be different each time, but may often create feelings of warmth, softening or pulsing in the areas the therapist is working on and generally, the treatment is deeply relaxing.
The History of Craniosacral Therapy
Craniosacral Therapy, or CST as it is generally called, has its roots back in the nineteenth century. Originating in Andrew Taylor Still’s system of osteopathic medicine, it owes much to subsequent pioneers of technique, such as William G. Sutherland who extended Stills system into cranial osteopathy. This was refined and codified by Harold Magoun in the 1950’s and taught by him to Dr. John E. Upledger in the late 60’s.
John E Upledger took on and developed these techniques into what he called ‘CranioSacral Therapy’, a powerful yet simplified system of treatment capable of being learned by anyone of good intent wishing to study the system. The unique feature is that it does not require extensive medical training to be effective. Nonetheless, it embodies and develops the essential concepts of Still and Sutherland. It has evolved in Upledger’s lifetime to become a holistic therapy aimed at assisting the client to employ their own body’s healing capacities and which trusts that all bodies have an inherent intelligence keeping us in equilibrium.
CST can help during Pregnancy
The rise in oestrogen, as well as progesterone and other hormones in pregnancy, is responsible for increased anxiety levels. Anticipation of the new role of being a mother and the changes a new baby will bring to the family may be overwhelming.
CranioSacral therapy during and after pregnancy can be very beneficial;
- It eases the physical discomforts of pregnancy
- It helps to prepare the mothers body for the demands of labour
- CST helps the recovery afterwards both physically and emotionally by balancing hormonal levels, and reducing the pelvic strain.
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