English
Coming Soon
FAQs:
What is Cranial Sacral Therapy?
Cranial sacral therapy (CST) is sometimes also referred to as craniosacral therapy. It’s a type of bodywork that relieves compression in the bones of the head, sacrum (a triangular bone in the lower back), and spinal column.
CST is noninvasive. It uses gentle pressure on the head, neck, and back to relieve the stress and pain caused by compression. It can, as a result, help to treat a number of conditions.
It’s thought that through the gentle manipulation of the bones in the skull, spine, and pelvis, the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the central nervous system can be normalized. This removes “blockages” from the normal flow, which enhances the body’s ability to heal.
Many massage therapists, physical therapists, osteopaths, and chiropractors are able to perform cranial sacral therapy. It can be part of an already-scheduled treatment visit or the sole purpose of your appointment.
Depending on what you’re using CST to treat, you may benefit from between 3 and 10 sessions, or you may benefit from maintenance sessions. Your healthcare provider will help you determine what’s right for you.
For the best results, book an appointment with a licensed health professional, such as an osteopath or a physical therapist.
How Does Sacral Massage Work?
This massage technique focuses on the bones of the head and spinal column. Applied light pressure aims to improve the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid and realign the central nervous system.
The cerebrospinal fluid provides cushion and protection for the brain and spinal cord. Sacral massage aims to help the fluid function effectively and relieve a number of ailments.
The ultimate goal of sacral massage is to promote your natural biological processes. This technique supports your body’s natural and essential regulation, correction, and healing. By focusing on the central nervous system, head, and spine, sacral massage works to promote those natural body processes and their functions.
Why is Cranial Therapy so Effective?
Cranial therapy is not only aimed at the relief of symptoms but at helping the body to function better in all respects. Patients often report an improvement in general well-being, energy levels, and sleep patterns as well as in symptoms other than those that brought them to the clinic in the first place.
In simple terms, if the cranial bones are not in the right place, then the brain and central nervous system cannot be in the right place. As a result, the hormonal system cannot perform to its optimal level. Even though the distance that the cranial bones move is equivalent to half the thickness of a sheet of paper, the human head is so delicate and is so permeated with nerve pathways that even slight alterations of a bone’s position can produce either physical or psychological symptoms or both. It can cause a wide variety of problems both in the head and elsewhere in the body.
What is the Difference Between Craniosacral Therapy and Cranial Osteopathy?
Craniosacral therapy and cranial osteopathy are two related but distinct therapies that share some similarities but also have some key differences.
Craniosacral therapy is a form of bodywork that involves gentle manipulation of the skull and spine. It aims to improve the function of the central nervous system. The therapy is based on the theory that the cerebrospinal fluid, which surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord, has a rhythmic pulsation that can be felt and manipulated by a trained practitioner. Craniosacral therapy is often used to address conditions such as headaches, neck and back pain, stress, and anxiety.
Cranial osteopathy, on the other hand, is a specialized form of osteopathic therapy that also focuses on the skull and spine, but is based on a broader understanding of the body’s structure and function. It emphasizes the interconnections between different parts of the body and seeks to promote overall health and well-being. Cranial osteopathy is often used to address a wide range of conditions, including musculoskeletal pain, digestive issues, and respiratory problems.
One of the main differences between craniosacral therapy and cranial osteopathy is the level of training required for practitioners. Craniosacral therapists typically complete shorter training programs, often lasting just a few weeks or months, while cranial osteopaths are trained as part of a longer, more comprehensive course of study in osteopathic medicine. As a result, cranial osteopaths are often more broadly trained in anatomy, physiology, and other areas of healthcare.
Another key difference between the two therapies is the scope of their practice. Craniosacral therapy is often used as a standalone therapy, while cranial osteopathy is typically practiced as part of a broader approach to healthcare that includes other forms of osteopathic treatment.
Is Craniosacral Therapy Right for Everyone?
CST can benefit almost everyone. With a few conditions, however, craniosacral therapy may not be appropriate and you’ll need to talk with your CST practitioner and physician.
Your session needs to wait if you have experienced any of the following and have NOT been released for treatment by your physician:
- Recent concussion.
- Cerebral swelling.
- Structural defects in the cerebellum such as Arnold-Chiari malformation.
- Brain aneurysm.
- Traumatic brain injury.
- Blood clots.
- Any disorder that causes instability of cerebral fluid pressure, flow, or build-up.
How Long is a Craniosacral Massage?
Craniosacral therapy sessions are done while you are fully clothed and the sessions range from 45 minutes to more than an hour
How Frequently Should You Schedule CST Treatments?
1. Regularly-scheduled treatments: help you deal with the physical and mental stresses you face each day.
2. Weekly sessions: recommended for those recovering from major trauma.
3. Monthly appointments: may be sufficient for those dealing effectively with chronic conditions and stress management, especially when combined with fitness programs, manual medicine, and/or physical therapy treatments.
4. Occasional session: provide temporary symptomatic relief.
What Happens After Craniosacral Therapy?
After your CranioSacral Therapy session, you may feel relaxed, refreshed, tired, or just “different”. Your body goes through a lot of internal change, letting go of old patterning and integrating new healthier patterning. It is a lot of work for your body, even though it may not appear that way from the outside. Listen to your body and rest if you need to.
Who Should Avoid CST Treatment?
Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a manual therapy believed to help improve the body's natural healing processes and treat various conditions. However, there are some instances in which CST should not be used. These include cases where the patient has a fever, infection, or an active bleeding disorder.
Patients with specific conditions such as cancer, heart disease, or aneurysms should not receive CST treatment. Furthermore, individuals who have had recent surgery or trauma may also be advised to avoid CST due to potential complications with healing. Ultimately, therapists must assess each patient's individual needs before administering CST to ensure that it is safe and effective for them.
Some Background on Cranial Sacral Therapy
Osteopath Dr. William Sutherland developed the modality we call Cranial Sacral Therapy (CST) in the 1930s when he realized that there is a small degree of motion allowed by the beveled cranial sutures, allowing them to move or “breathe,” pulsing with the body. This motion occurs in relationship to the tissues and cerebrospinal fluid in the central nervous system, the membranes surrounding the central nervous system, and the sacrum.
Some Conditions that Craniosacral Therapy (CST) Can Help With
Here are some of the common conditions that CST can help with:
- Chronic pain.
- Fibromyalgia.
- Migraine headache.
- Complex regional pain syndrome.
- Fascial adhesions.
- Multiple sclerosis.
- Neuralgia.
- Neurodegenerative diseases.
- Temporo-mandibular joint syndrome.
- Stroke.
- Post-concussion syndrome.
- Speech impairment.
- Epilepsy.
CST Techniques
Consistent with the CST philosophy, CST treatment techniques are all based on “following the body”. This involves monitoring the cranial rhythm at different parts of the body, looking at movement or lack of movement in various parts of the body, and assessing imbalances and non-symmetrical structures or facial features. Treatment is light physical touch in which the electrical energy of the therapist's hands (measured at about 200-1000 picoamps) helps the patient’s body overcome the roadblocks or barriers to homeostasis.
CST techniques include:
1. Diaphragm Work: With light touch above and below the major diaphragms, roadblocks or barriers connected with that diaphragm are released to allow a more unrestricted flow of energy. The major diaphragms are the pelvic, respiratory, thoracic inlet, and occipital-atlantal (OA).
2. Unwinding Joints: With light touch above and below a joint, the range of motion is gently explored and encouraged in the direction of ease or least resistance. This results in a greater range of motion and function of the joint, and often releases pain in that area.
3. Correcting Cranial Rhythm: With a light touch on parts of the body that easily show the cranial rhythm, the therapist can help the body achieve improved balance and symmetry in cranial pulse in the head, body, and extremities.
4. Cranial Bone Work: With a light touch on various cranial bones (parietal, frontal, sphenoid, temporal, occiput), the therapist can help release or decompress tension or folds that affect the falx and tentorium membranes that are critical to the CCS.
5. Dural Tube Glide: A special CST technique gently stretches the Dural Tube to release any adhesions.
6. Sacral Base Release: A special CST technique gently releases the sacrum.
Benefits of a Sacral Massage
Sacral massages have been reported to relieve a variety of conditions. The gentle massage manipulates the spine in an attempt to realign the nervous system.
It has been used in attempts to ease the following conditions:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Chronic fatigue
- Chronic migraines
- Impairments to coordination
- Scoliosis (curvature of the spine)
- Chronic neck and back pain
- Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), which can cause pain in muscles that control your jaw movement and your jaw joint.
- Stress
- Emotion-related tension
- Biological rhythms. Since sacral massage aims to regulate natural biological rhythms, it has also been used to help treat irritable bowel syndrome, sleep disorders, and difficult pregnancies.
- Scalp muscles. Your facial expressions are also controlled by your scalp muscles. Your face and scalp are under a lot of stress throughout the day, and sacral massage helps relax those muscles.
- Emotional health. The quiet, intimate, and reflective environment of a sacral massage encourages mental and spiritual healing. It may help put your mind at ease and help you be at peace while relieving your body of the stress it carries.
- Better healing. Practitioners feel that this therapy promotes quicker and better healing in the future. More research is needed to prove this.
The Cons of Sacral Massage
Complex Technique. The techniques of sacral massage are more complex than those used in general massage therapy. Along with a license as a massage therapist, performing sacral massage requires additional training. This makes it a less common practice.
Side effects. Provided that your therapist is properly trained to perform sacral massage, there are few risks to the technique. Someone who isn’t trained may do it wrong and cause more problems.
Like most massages, you may experience slight discomfort afterward. It should fade within a day as your body readjusts.
Insurance coverage. Since certain therapists may not be trained in sacral massage, the ones who are may not be covered by your insurance. Certain employers may reimburse the cost depending on healthcare accounts, but it’s never guaranteed.
It’s for almost anyone. There are certain people who shouldn’t get a sacral massage. The following conditions can cause you to be at higher risk to develop complications after a massage:
- Concussion
- Brain swelling
- Defects of the cerebellum (part of your brain that helps control movement).
- Brain aneurysm, when a blood vessel bulges or balloons in your brain.
- Recent traumatic brain injury
- Thrombosis (blood clots)
- Disorders that affect cerebral fluid pressure or flow
Massage may also be risky if you have:
- Bleeding disorders
- Burns
- Healing wounds
- Bone fractures
- Severe osteoporosis (thinning bones)
Lack of scientific evidence. Unfortunately, there is a limited amount of recorded evidence on the benefits of sacral massage.
Massage is a common form of treatment. It is starting to become standard for a variety of conditions. The benefits that are specific to sacral massage aren’t well-researched. Most of the benefits are speculated based on client testimony. But it still may provide many of the benefits that most massages do, like relaxation and stress relief.
What to Expect from a Sacral Massage
A sacral massage is non-invasive, meaning it requires no tools or implements to enter the body. It’s a hands-on massage technique that uses gentle pressure. There are no thrusting, bone-setting, or other forceful techniques that you may see in a chiropractic massage. The technique uses light pressure, primarily with just the fingertips.
The amount of pressure used is around 5 grams, the weight of a small coin. This light touch is applied around your skull and spine to search for areas of imbalance.
Sacral massage sessions are done fully clothed, with relaxing music and low lights. After a consultation to identify areas that need attention, the massage begins.
The amount of time the massage lasts and the number of sessions you need will depend on each individual. When you discuss your goals with your massage therapist, you can come up with a plan based on your symptoms, injuries, and causes of your symptoms.
What Happens in a CST Session
A CST session varies client-to-client as the therapist responds to what is happening in the body, but there are several elements that are common to a session:
Typically, a session begins with the evaluation of the three major diaphragms, then progresses to the release of restrictions throughout the body, especially the neck, and sacrum.
1. The therapist may begin by assessing the upper thorax, holding the left hand on the neck with the right on the sternum using light pressure, feeling the micro-movements happening as the client breathes to determine if there are restrictions in one or both sides of the body.
2. Next the therapist may move to the ribcage to assess the respiratory diaphragm, gently pulling from the opposite side with the intention of mobilizing the ribs. A hold on the diaphragm to release the solar plexus may be needed. Once the ribcage is mobile, the therapist may return to the shoulders, opening the shoulders with gentle pressure on one or both sides of the body.
3. A gentle hold with one hand on the sacrum under the body and the other on the lower abdomen allows the therapist to assess the lower diaphragm. If the restriction is detected in this diaphragm, light traction on the iliac bones and/or sacrum may be applied to release the restriction.
4. Holding the feet to evaluate the pulse in each foot to determine if they are even, the therapist may apply gentle traction to the legs to reduce restrictions, freeing up the circulation in the legs and feet.
5. The therapist will move to the head to do gentle work to release the sutures of the cranium. Pulling the ears releases pressure at the frontal bones, light pressure on the temples releases the sphenoid, light thumb pressure on the face alongside the nose reduces sinus pressure while palm compression to the mandible reduces TMJ pain, and light thumb pressure on the cranial sutures allows them to release. Tension in the neck can be relieved by applying gentle traction and unwinding the head, neck, and shoulders. Still point induction at the occiput may release both the neck and sacrum.
6. A session usually ends with a hold of the neck and sacrum. This modality is extremely relaxing, partly because it is very gentle and pressure is extremely light, and also partly because it impacts the nervous system so powerfully.
Contraindications for CST
Here are some contraindications for CST:
- Increased Intracranial Pressure
- Acute Stroke (6-8 weeks)
- Herniated Medulla Oblongata
- Recent Skull Fracture (6-8 weeks)
- Cerebral Aneurysm
- Spina Bifida (Myelomeningocele)
- Arnold Chiari Malformation
- Cerebrospinal Fluid leak
How to Find a Massage Therapist
Like choosing other healthcare professionals, it's essential to be a conscious consumer when selecting a massage therapist. Ask your primary care provider or someone else you trust to recommend a reputable business or therapist.
Don't be afraid to ask a potential massage therapist questions such as:
- Are you licensed, certified, or registered?
- What are your training and experience?
- How many massage therapy sessions do you think I'll need?
- What's the cost, and is it covered by health insurance?
A skilled therapist has a vast toolbox of techniques that can be incorporated based on your needs, and he or she will respond and modify these techniques based on your feedback.
Massage therapy is safe and effective for people of all ages. It's not only a feel-good way to indulge or pamper yourself. It's a powerful tool to help you take charge of your health and well-being, whether you have a specific health condition or are looking for a stress reliever.
Sources:
The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.
Apple
Google (online)
Office 365 (online)
Outlook
Outlook.com (online)
Yahoo! (online)