What is craniosacral therapy?
CST is a very light form of bodywork that addresses restrictions in our tissues all over our bodies so that our bodies may function in a healthier manner. There is the direct, the indirect and the body-generated emotional release work in CST.
The direct technique addresses the anatomical structure of the craniosacral system. This is a membranous, fluid-filled system surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It attaches at the sacrum, the upper cervical spine and to many bones of the head. It also houses the anterior pituitary gland, one of the main glands of the endocrine system, within the sphenoid bone. This is one of the most pivotal bones in CST. And, the membrane that surrounds the spinal cord also covers the initial segments of all spinal nerves. With these anatomical certainties, CST can affect the central nervous system, the peripheral nervous system and the endocrine system.
Next, the indirect technique involves working anywhere else in the body. Our bodies are connected in many ways such as with muscles, nerves and connective tissue. One of the most abundant connective tissues is fascia and it is like a large piece of saran wrap wrapping us from head to toe. Everything eventually connects back into the craniosacral system. Because of these connections, a pain in one place may be caused by a restriction somewhere else in the body.
Lastly, there is the emotional process and how our emotions, especially the negative ones, may physically manifest within us. Within the tissues of our bodies, we remember and feel. As tissues are released, emotional issues may surface. These emotionally charged areas might be contributing to your pain.
How can craniosacral therapy help me?
Let me give you an example. You take your car in to get brand new tires and a front-end alignment. This alignment will maximize the life and function of your tires. Shortly after you leave, you drive over a little bump. You don’t really notice it; however, there is a slight change to your car, the alignment, the tires, the way the brakes function etc. This continues over time and each bump the car goes over keeps changing the car and taking it further away from normal. You, as the driver, don’t really notice any change. The car appears to be running just fine. But is not. The car has to keep overcoming the little “micro traumas”. In time, the brand new tires are not wearing as well and one has to be replaced well before the expected mileage. The brake shoes have worn unevenly. The steering is slightly more difficult and less responsive. You are beginning to feel the difference in the car and don’t understand how this could be happening. After all, you just had it repaired not too long ago.
This is what happens to our bodies. There is an ideal way our bodies are structured to perform that allows for ideal function. As we live our lives, we go over our own “bumps” that gently nudge our bodies away from normal. The result over time can be headaches, digestive problems, pain, posture problems, vertigo, etc. Sometimes these bumps are major like an accident or a fall; sometimes, it just little things like habitual posture, lifting incorrectly, wearing bad shoes etc.
CST helps undo the “bumps” that have pulled you away from normal. It gently removes restrictions in all the body structures so that the body can return to a balanced place and ideal function.
How many sessions will I need for my problem?
This is not an exact science and we will continually assess what is best for you. The number of sessions varies from patient to patient and is determined by your individual contributing factors. Usually, most patients start at once or twice per week. Patients that are coming post-surgery usually will have PT three times per week for 2-3 weeks.
There are three major factors that affect the length of treatment. First, the length of time between onset of dysfunction and intervention may determine the extent of compensatory mechanisms or layers of reorganization that may develop. The sooner the intervention, the quicker is the resolution. Conversely, the later the intervention, the longer and more complicated the resolution. This longer time allows for greater possibilities of extensive layering and the development of secondary, tertiary, or further problems.
Another factor to consider is whether the symptoms you are having point to a primary problem or a secondary problem. If the problem is primary in nature, resolution will normally be quicker than if it is a secondary problem.
The third factor to consider is if there is an emotional issue contributing to the physical dysfunction. This emotional issue may be the cause of the physical pain, the response to the physical pain or the secondary gain to illness.
I didn’t feel much, why not?
I’ll tell you one of my favorite stories about a patient who had radiculopathy into his right leg for 1 ½ years. It was worse when driving. He went to everybody before ending up on my treatment table. He had three sessions before he was to drive to South Carolina for vacation. Though I could feel all different restrictions and releases, he couldn’t feel anything. He would joke with me about my not really doing anything. After driving from Connecticut to South Carolina, he called ecstatic because his leg remained pain free after all that driving. He couldn’t believe it. “All that nothing you do really works” he screamed with joy.
The reality is some patients feel nothing when receiving this work and others are very sensitive to the most subtle releases. There are many reasons for this; experience with bodywork, protectiveness from physical or emotional pain, and the releases that are occurring may be below the sensitivity threshold for them. Though you may not be able to feel anything yet, I am feeling plenty and change is occurring. In time with an increase in body awareness and a change in symptoms, you, too, will be able to feel all that is happening to you.
How come I feel pain when I didn’t feel it at the beginning of
the session?
There are a couple reasons why this may happen. One reason is that the location of symptoms and the origin of the problem may not be in the same place. There are many examples of restrictions in one place causing symptoms in other areas. Usually it is based on restrictive patterns and where it originates. Another reason for “new “pain is that deeper restrictive patterns are revealed and may cause symptoms. As superficial layers of dysfunction are released, deeper unresolved restrictions become exposed. As they present, they may be responsible for new pain you feel.
What can I expect if I bring my child in for treatment? Can they be too young?
Infants can be treated immediately following birth. In fact, they can benefit in utero when Mom is being treated. I think the sooner infants are treated the better because they can start developing ideally. Treatment session length and approach will very from child to child depending on what the child can effectively handle. I may treat the child while she is sitting and looking at a book instead of lying on the table. With toddlers, treatment may be on the “run”. However, at each treatment session, the time when he would sit and allow treatment got longer. Treatment sessions may be adjusted shorter or longer depending on how the child is responding on a particular day. I find the first session to be an introduction of sorts. The child is often fidgety and there may be frequent complaints of boredom from the older children. Usually on the second session and subsequent sessions, the children fall asleep within the first 5 minutes and remain asleep throughout the session. It is amazing how the body beckons the work and responds. The sleeping child allows the work. It is remarkable.
An important piece when treating children is the communication and interaction with you, the parents. You are often part of the treatment session especially with the very young. You can be helpful in keeping the child “entertained” during treatment. There are times when the mother may nurse during treatment, Mom or Dad may hold the baby/child or you may tell the birthing story during treatment.
Sometimes there are mood changes during the session or later at home. Often times these changes are related to physical or emotional releases and it is very normal. Please let us know if you have specific concerns.
