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WHAT IS CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY?
Craniosacral Therapy is a light touch therapy that releases tension in the body, improves the functioning of the central nervous system and therefore helps to reduce pain, dysfunction, stress, and increases overall well being.
The craniosacral system is the soft tissue and fluid that protects, nourishes and cleanses the brain and spinal cord (the central nervous system). It is responsible for the production, reabsorbtion and circulation of craniosacral fluid. It is influenced by the nervous system, the muscoskeletal system, the respiratory system, the lymphatic system, the vascular system and the endocrine system. Tension or dysfunction in these systems may influence the craniosacral system, which in turn may affect the central nervous system.
WHO DEVELOPED CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY?
Craniosacral Therapy was developed by Dr. John Upledger, D.O. In 1970, he first witnessed the rhythmic movement of the craniosacral system. After many years of research, in 1985 he established the Upledger Institute in order to teach healthcare practitioners about the benefits of CranioSacral Therapy. Now more that 80,000 practitioners worldwide have been trained in the use of CranioSacral Therapy.
HOW CAN CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY HELP ME?
CranioSacral Therapy can help everyone by enhancing his or her physical and emotional well being. This happens because stresses and restrictions on the craniosacral system that reduce its performance efficiency can be removed.
An imbalance or dysfunction in the craniosacral system can cause sensory, motor and/or neurological dysfunction. Specific problems, such as accidents, trauma and infections can be addressed. Where there is a restriction, the body is less able to detoxify itself. Gentle techniques to release such restrictions enhance the body’s ability to heal itself, and to attain its optimal balance at any given time.
This kind of preventative treatment can reduce healthcare costs, because we are taking a proactive approach to our health and health care needs.
WHAT IS SOMATIC EMOTIONAL RELEASE?
Somatic Emotional Release is a body-mind approach to releasing trauma from the body. Trauma affects us on a physical, emotional and spiritual level.
Physical trauma has an emotional component that needs to be released. It could be, for example, fear associated with pain, or an emotion that was being felt at the time of an accident that becomes trapped in our cells. A whole range of emotions can be associated with this.
Emotional trauma is trapped cellular memory and energies associated with unresolved emotional conflicts that have been unconsciously suppressed and retained in the body. This can affect the normal functioning of our bodies. Any kind of trauma, unless released, can hold us back in our personal growth.
Somatic Emotional Release allows us to achieve emotional well being by releasing restrictions imposed by the unconscious mind, in the form of energies suppressed and trapped within the tissues of our body. This is facilitated through a combination of bodywork and dialoguing.
HOW IS CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY PERFORMED?
CranioSacral Therapy is performed on a client fully clothed. A very light touch is used to monitor the cranial rhythm in order to detect potential restrictions and imbalances. Delicate manual techniques are then used to release restrictions and correct imbalances, so that the body can return to its optimal level of performance at that time.
HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL I NEED FOR MY ——- PROBLEM?
Generally 4 to 6 sessions are recommended to the client, and this may be determined after 1 or 2 sessions. This is very individual. It may depend on some of the following factors:
The client’s state of health is a critical factor to take into consideration. Consider the following scenarios:
Suppose the client is in pretty good health and then catches the flu. She may need 2 sessions to put her back on track.
On the other hand, if a client is suffering from a chronic condition, 4 sessions may give her a good boost, and then monthly maintenance would be advisable if there is a positive response to the treatment.
A client with chronic pain could have a couple of sessions, determine what has changed after each session and whether the response is positive, and then establish a treatment plan with the therapist or referring doctor.
Some clients simply feel great after a treatment and decide to come on a regular basis.
Other clients may wish to explore the depth of CranioSacral treatment and work to clear emotional trauma and associated physical ailments from the body.
I DID NOT FEEL MUCH. WHY NOT?
This kind of treatment is gentle, subtle and non-invasive. The intention is not to provoke the tissue’s defense mechanism. It is relaxing and the practitioner takes cues from the body about whether a point of resistance has been reached. If the body needs to move beyond this point of resistance at that particular point in time, then it will do so at it’s own pace and the practitioner’s job is to facilitate that by reading the cues that the body is giving. This means that the client may not feel much, except maybe a sense of release or relaxation when a release has occurred.
Some clients may be used to other therapies, such as massage or chiropractic treatment, where they clearly feel something. They may need to get used to sensing what is happening in their bodies during this more subtle treatment. Others may not ever feel much during a treatment, but may notice 2 days later that their pain has gone away or that their problem seems to be resolved. This varies from person to person.
HOW COME I FEEL PAIN IN MY —– WHEN I DID NOT FEEL IT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SESSION?
It is possible that as we address one problem area, another may show itself because our body often carries many layers of stresses, whether physical or emotional. Once the top layer of dysfunction has been addressed, another layer could reveal itself, especially if the body is ready to deal with that layer as well. This could be triggered by a physical, emotional or spiritual readiness, and may be the result of a fairly recent strain, or something that can be traced back to one’s childhood, or something in between.
The body may continue to release memory of what is stored in the tissue long after the actual treatment. If a new pain is felt, then it may be an opportunity for the client to reach a new level of health and shed some dysfunction that he or she has been living with but has not been conscious of as a dysfunction.