Cranio Sacral Therapy

Cranio-Sacral therapy is particularly gentle, and is often referred to as the "Butterfly Touch". This makes it very suitable for treating all ages, from newborn babies to the very elderly. It was devised in the 70's by Dr. John Upledger, an American medical Osteopath, developing on the work of an earlier Osteopath, Dr. William Garner Sutherland. Combining his Osteopathic background with his experience in assisting with neuro-surgery, he came upon an entirely new system of treatment. He observed that the fluid which surrounds the brain and spinal cord - Cerebro Spinal Fluid ( C.S.F. ) - was produced and absorbed at a cyclical rate. This process stimulates movement of the Cranial and Sacral bones, and the membranes to which they are attached, giving us what is known as the Cranio-Sacral Rhythm. The impulses of this rhythm are transmitted throughout the body via nerves and connective tissue, creating what is referred to as a reciprocal tension membrane system. Thus, problems in any one area may be picked up in - and affect - any other area of the body. Restrictions to the flow of C.S.F. may have many causes, including birth trauma, injury, surgery, illness, infections, or emotional/mental stress. Symptoms may range from : - Headaches ; Back, Neck, and Shoulder problems; Irritable Bowel Syndrome : Sinusitis ; T.M.J. problems: Dyslexia; to many other conditions.



The Cranio-Sacral Therapist gently tunes into the rhythm - normally 4 to 14 complete cycles per minute - and assesses for restrictions anywhere in the system, seeking a focal point, or priority. The affected area is then eased into a freer state of mobility, and guided back into its natural state/position, and into harmony with the rest of the system. This may happen quickly, or in the case of chronic problems, over a number of treatments. ( It is not unusual over the course of a few treatments to find older symptoms of injury or illness which have been held in the body coming up to be healed. ) The emotional effects of trauma of any kind are often held deeply in the tissues of the body, and a skilled therapist will tend to note any such areas. Using a combination of touch, and dialogue, these traumatized tissues may be persuaded to release, thus restoring normal function. A vital underlying principle is that the body has its own intelligence, and knows what is required for it to be healed. When imbalances occur, we gently work with that intelligence, rather than trying to manually force corrections.

From the beginning, Dr. Upledger worked extensively with the Department of Bio-Mechanics at the University of Michigan, to ensure that Cranio-Sacral Therapy could be validated on a clinical basis. Due to his experience in the fields of Psychology and Traditional Chinese Medicine, he has always encouraged his students to work in a holistic way, treating mind and body as one unit. The range of applications for this approach is continually expanding, with ever-increasing numbers of people from all walks of life finding relief from both physical and mental strains of everyday life.