Have you heard of the modality CranioSacral Therapy before?
If not, you may be pondering what in the world it is! We can look at each word and guess that it’s perhaps related to cranium or head and perhaps the sacrum and deduce that there is some sort of healing that goes on between the head and the sacrum. And while yes, those two anatomical parts are extremely important in CST, it is so much more!
Craniosacral Therapy or CST is a gentle, hands on modality that works to release restrictions in the body, relieving pain and dysfunction and reboots the nervous system to function optimally. CST was developed by an Osteopathic Physician named, Dr. John E Upledger whom dedicated his life to research and clinical testing at Michigan State University and served as a professor of Biomechanics and has paved the way for teaching thousands of bodyworkers this unique and effective modality.
The CranioSacral Therapist/Practitioner uses 5 grams of pressure (about the weight of a nickel) on the soft tissue that encases and protects the brain and spinal cord, which make ups our central nervous system. The craniosacral system influences the CNS. The impact over time that our bodies endure can create restrictions around the brain and spinal cord resulting in pain, dysfunction, or hyper-sensitivity of normal body/mind functions. Additionally, every trauma that we experience whether physical or emotional is stored in the body. The body is wonderful at compensating for those traumas but over time it will often take a toll on our health, be it physical health or emotional health.
If we think of a sweater as the connective tissue (fascia) that encases our entire body and we get a snag in the sweater (or fascia) it creates symptoms. The snag not only effects the main area of the sweater but all around that area. Everything else needs to compensate to hold the sweater together. Like mending the snag in the sweater, the releasing of these restrictions helps the environment of the brain and spinal cord to self-correct, lending to more comfort and overall quality of life. Feeling good in our body and mind contributes to living a joyful fulfilling life. And that is really the sweet nectar that we all crave!
Next week we will be diving into how Craniosacral Therapy works. If you can’t wait till then, call the office at 314.439.0777 and schedule your session with April today!