Gradually, a different view of reality started to intrude on my consciousness. I began to see that Shiatsu by no means had all the answers. It became clear that – despite the groans with which we greeted every class on the subject during our training – a detailed knowledge of Anatomy and Physiology would be a decided advantage, as, to my considerable frustration, not every condition responded to Shiatsu. It was still a great pleasure to work with Shiatsu, but inevitably the best results were now from sitting in stillness, and simply holding. Not being a believer in coincidence, I was not surprised to connect with Cranio-Sacral Therapy, which, for me took things to a new level. The anatomy and physiology was very detailed, yet taught from the perspective that the body is a ‘reciprocal tension membrane system’ i.e. everything is interconnected . This was miles removed from how I had previously been taught, and fitted hand-in-glove with my understanding of an interconnected meridian system. Cranio-Sacral Therapy is often referred to as ‘the Butterfly Touch’, as the emphasis is invariably on lightness. It also fits very comfortably with the Japanese concept of Wu Wei, the art of not doing, or doing only that which is necessary. To observe, it appears as a largely passive therapy, in that the therapist simply sits and holds different parts of the body. Having the Shiatsu background makes it so much easier to sit, hold, and wait. As one sits and tunes in the body reveals its needs through subtle rhythms and pulsations, much like working with meridians, except that the Cranial rhythm is evident right through the body, and indicates clearly both which organs / body areas are in need of attention, but how they need it. When we find one of those areas and hold into it, the tissues reveal the level of pressure required, as well as the direction in which healing will happen. (The understanding is that injured tissue contracts, usually in a spiral, and with the right support will unwind and return to normal function.)
Cranio-Sacral Therapists of all schools have been fortunate to be taught that we are treating people, rather than simply bodies – again in keeping with the philosophy of Shiatsu – and we were encouraged to integrate our previous skills and experience into the new modality. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the belief is that most illness originates in the mind, and only when it is not resolved on that level does it manifest in the body. The more I work, the more I have come to see the body as a metaphor for how we are, and that the key to helping is to deepen both our awareness of our own being and patterns, as well as continually refining our understanding of energies, and how they work. The more effectively I do that, the easier it is to do more by doing less. Again, it comes back to Shiatsu basics of stillness, breath, and allowing rather than forcing things to happen. Often physical and emotional patterns of trauma are so interwoven, and deeply imbedded, that other skills need to be added. In particular, the use of dialogue and imagery can be particularly effective, and by reaching deeply into ones own Hara, an intuitive awareness of what images or symbols are most appropriate to the situation can be found. As with Shiatsu, the emphasis is on working with the patient at their level, and at their pace.
One of the most common focal points I have found for treatment is the Temporo Mandibular Joint ( T.M.J. ). This is the joint which allows the lower jaw to move. Aside from being one of the most powerful joints in the body, it is a central site for a myriad of problems, both physical and non. Despite the concentrated force of the muscles holding it in place, it is not uncommon to find it mis-aligned. This can have causes, including dental/orthodontic work, suppressed emotion, physical injury, and viral infections of the ear, nose, and throat. It can lead to problems such as migraines, over or under-bite, pain and mis-alignment anywhere in the spine, and infection in the Ileo-Caecal Valve – itself often a cause of migraine. In most cases, in my experience, the root cause is deeply suppressed emotion, stemming from a fundamental lack of self-confidence at the time of the trauma. Simply breathing, holding gently into the joint, and following the movements into their point of deepest restriction – whether with dialogue or not – allows the pressure to be released, usually signalled by a deep exhalation, and a relaxation of the whole body. Increasingly I find that treating this joint opens the door to effectively resolving, and hopefully preventing, many imbalances throughout the organism.
The techniques taught in Cranio-Sacral Therapy are specific and precise, but the approach fits so comfortably with the essentials of Shiatsu – and increases its effectiveness manifold – that I would highly recommend it to any practitioner or student looking to expand their understanding.