CONNECTIONS to HEALTH

CranioSacral Therapy CranioSacral Therapy, or Craniopathy, is an extremely gentle yet powerful therapy that aims to release the deeply held patterns of disease, both physical and psychological, which accumulate throughout life as a result of injury, trauma and illness and become held into the body tissues, leading to ill-health and dysfunction. When you visit a craniosacral therapist they will assess the integrity of your craniosacral system and cranial rhythm by placing their hands very gently on the cranium (head), the sacrum (tail bone) or any other area of the body as appropriate identifying subtle disturbances to the free motion of body tissues, the free circulation of body fluids, and the unrestricted flow of fundamental energy, potency, or vitality - the Breath of Life. Where there are disturbances to the free flow of these tissues, fluid and energies they will work very subtly with the body to allow them to release restoring symmetry and balance to the craniosacral system and therefore restore health. The CranioSacral System Certain structures can be described as constituting the principal components of the craniosacral system. These structures are: the Membranes (or Meninges) which surround the Central Nervous System, that is the brain and the spinal cord. the Bones of the Cranium and Sacrum which attach to these Membranes. the Fascia, which radiates out from the Membranes via the spinal nerve roots to all parts of the body. the Cerebro-Spinal Fluid, a pure and vital fluid produced within the Central Nervous System and contained primarily within the membranes surrounding and enveloping the brain and spinal cord. The craniosacral system is expressed through every cell in the body and there is no part of the body that is not involved in the craniosacral process. What is the cranial rhythm? At the core of our being is a fundamental life force, a profound energy that underlies our very existence, creating and maintaining our vitality. This life force - the Breath of Life - is expressed in the physical body as a vitality pervading every cell, every tissue, every part of the body. This vitality is expressed as rhythmic movement, rising and falling in wave-like, tide-like motion. In a healthy body, this fundamental life force is expressed as a fluent, symmetrical, rhythmic motion known as the cranial rhythm. Disturbances to health and wellbeing on any level will be reflected as disturbances to the even, balanced flow of this rhythmic motion. The cranial rhythm can be felt in the body in the craniosacral system. What disturbs the craniosacral system and rhythm? Disturbances to craniosacral motion may arise from a number of different causes - from physical injury, infection, inflammation, structural imbalance, muscular strain, emotional tension, or disease and dysfunction of any kind. These restrictions may arise in any of the body tissues - the bones, the soft tissues, the nervous system, the organs, the fluids, or in the subtle energy systems. Injuries or restrictions to the peripheral structures of the body will inevitably reflect into the core of the system leading to imbalances and asymmetries within the craniosacral system. Restrictions at the core of the system will similarly reflect out to cause peripheral symptoms. By restoring the body to its natural expression of healthy, balanced motion, the CranioSacral Therapist can enable the elimination of the underlying source of any dysfunction (thereby also eliminating any associated symptoms) and the restoration of health and vitality. The CranioSacral process involves two main aspects. It is primarily concerned with enhancing the underlying vitality - the Breath of Life - which pervades our whole selves, creating and maintaining health and wellbeing in all aspects of our lives. Secondly, it is concerned with releasing any restrictions to the free distribution of this vitality throughout the body via the craniosacral system. How can the therapist feel this rhythm? CranioSacral Therapy is most often carried out with the client lying down, fully clothed in a quiet and peaceful environment. Treatment is usually experienced as a very profound relaxation which may pervade the whole person, physically, mentally and emotionally, often accompanied by a feeling of lightness and ease. Trained therapists are able to palpate the motion of the craniosacral system anywhere on the body. It is easiest to palpate the craniosacral rhythm via the bones of the skull and sacrum because they attach to the membranes which actually enclose the cerebrospinal fluid. Palpation is also possible via all the bones of the spine and pelvis and via the facial bones but, because of their less direct connection with the hydraulic system, it is more difficult to detect the motion. Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, non-invasive technique. Seldom does the therapist apply pressure in excess of five grams, the equivalent weight of a twenty pence piece. Fluency of craniosacral motion in each part of the body is a reflection of the functional state of that part of the body. Restricted mobility is an indication of reduced health and vitality in that region - leading to (or caused by) disease and dysfunction. A free and unrestricted rhythmic motion is an indication of a healthy, unimpeded vitality in that region. The CranioSacral Therapist's role therefore is to identify areas of restricted mobility and to enable the body to dissolve any such restrictions in order to encourage free and fluent cranio-sacral motion. This restoration of unhindered tissue mobility and free flow of body fluids and vitality will in turn enable the elimination of disease, the restoration of health and the maintenance of optimum function. Who can it help? Because each of us produces our own different reactions to trauma, stress and loss of healing capacity, we each present our own unique combinations of ailments, pains and dysfunctions. And, because CranioSacral Therapy helps clear the way for our self-healing mechanisms to be more effective, its scope is very wide indeed. Some of the more common difficulties that CranioSacral Therapy may help are chronic pain, reduced mobility or stiff joints, low energy, headaches and migraines, jaw problems, neuralgia, learning difficulties such as dyslexia and dyscalculia, menstrual and menopausal problems problems during and after pregnancy, depression, post operative effects, adhesions. asthma, sinusitis, bronchitis, cystitis. frozen shoulder, arthritis, sciatica, chronic sprained ankle, joint disorders, repetitive strain injury (RSI). tension, anxiety, stress, insomnia, visual disturbances. baby care, colic, feeding difficulties. ear infections, glue ear, tonsillitis, ENT Problems. birth trauma - with its profound physical and psycho-emotional consequences. behavioural disorders, tantrums, obsessional behaviour, Poor coordination. the after effects of any chronic illness or debilitating disease. In new-borns, infants and children, colic, hyperactivity, feeding and sleeping problems and faulty development are often helped by CranioSacral Therapy. Routine evaluation of new-borns often reveals and permits the easy release of subtle strains and restrictions that may, if left, lead to chronic dysfunction later in life. This applies not only where the birth has been difficult, but also with "normal" deliveries. Here at the Ishta Centre we practise Upledger, CCST and Karuna styles of CranioSacral Therapy and also the original Cottam Craniopathic adjustments which were the forerunner of all other cranial techniques. Contact Allyn, Sue or Robyn for more information.

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