Craniosacral Therapy World – A Short Introduction
You might have heard of Craniosacral Therapy, but aren’t really sure what to expect or what might happen during a session. And that’s perfectly reasonable.
So let’s start with the basics. Craniosacral Therapy is a hands-on therapeutic approach. It belongs in the broader family of manual therapies (such as osteopathy, physical therapy and other forms of manual therapy) and it is a gentle and safe approach to manual therapy.
Although it follows a general framework and is defined by a set of specific rules and principles, but a person’s experience can significantly differ when receiving a treatment. This is absolutely normal and expected. Craniosacral Therapy focuses on listening to an individual body or person at the exact moment when the session is taking place. As a result, each session can feel very different from person to person, or even from session to session for the same individual.
Its name derives from the combination of the words cranium and sacrum, referring to the craniosacral rhythm. Craniosacral Rhythm (CSR) is a subtle physiological rhythmic movement, traditionally described as originating at the level of the sphenobasilar joint. It propagates through the spinal cord, and can be felt throughout the whole of the body through the fascial system.
What a Session Might Be Like
At the beginning of the session, we usually take a brief medical history and discuss the issues or difficulties a person is experiencing, as well as the impact these issues may have in daily life for the individual.
The assessment is slightly different from what you may be used to in other therapeutic practices or approaches.
Craniosacral Therapy examines the body in a more general and holistic way. Rather than focusing only on symptoms, we assess where the most significant imbalance in the body is currently present and begin from there.
In some cases, this starting point might be the area where pain or symptoms are manifesting. But in other occasions the body – through the fascia – may guide us to other areas which might seem distal or irrelevant to the patient’s current concern, yet there are interfering with the issue at hand.
Our body functions as a dynamic system of mechanical tensions and equilibrium. Any imbalance in one part of the system can negatively affect and disrupt the whole. Therefore, the entry point for a session may lie somewhere other than from where a symptom is manifesting.
One of the basic principles of Craniosacral Therapy is that we, as therapists, must learn to listen to all information provided by the body, and allow it to guide the session, rather than trying to impose what we think should happen during a session.
It is a dynamic conversation with the tissues of the body. For every single adjustment we offer through manual techniques, the body will respond with some information that will guide us to the next step.
Both assessment and treatment are always performed hands-on. We work over clothes and therefore patients are advised to wear soft and comfortable clothing during a session.
Gentle Touch – Powerful Results
I always prefer to use the term gentle touch as opposed to light touch when describing the method.
I feel this serves as a valuable distinction as there is often misinterpretation or misunderstanding in regard to the approach. Craniosacaral Therapy is in principle a gentle approach. We always initiate contact with light, gentle touch, as a way of introducing an external force onto the tissues.
This allows for the body to be less defensive and also gives the therapist the opportunity to better evaluate how tissues respond to initial contact and pressure. Furthermore, this gentle head start allows us to dive deeper, and feel into more delicate structures of the body.
As a session progresses, the amount of force and pressure offered may gradually increase, becoming more firm and strong. However, beginning gently is essential. We always start lightly, feel into the system, listen, evaluate and then adjust if needed. Applying a heavy load to a body that is already tense can cause the tissues to tighten further in an attempt to resist pressure. This is a natural mechanical response.
Therapeutic Dialogue
The tissues of the body store tension not only as response to physical trauma (such as illness, injury, or poor posture) but also as a result of mental or emotional stress.
In some cases, physical manipulation alone can be sufficient to achieve excellent therapeutic results, just by following the principles of anatomy and physiology.
In other cases, the mental or emotional stress stored in our system can be a significant factor in the manifestation of symptoms. In these situations, we may also use Therapeutic Dialogue to achieve what is known as SomatoEmotional Release (SER).
While remaining in contact with the body and always working hands-on, dialogue may be introduced as an additional component to support the recipient’s awareness of physical sensations or symptoms. This can help facilitate and support tissue release by addressing emotional or mental loads that may be contributing to the issue.
It is important to understand that Craniosacral Therapy is manual therapy and not a form of talk therapy. It is always administered through manual contact and through mobilisation of fascial tissues.
However, since our physical body may sometimes be only a part of the overall issue, in Craniosacral Therapy we incorporate Therapeutic Dialogue as a supportive tool in releasing restrictions held within the body’s tissues.
After the Session
Most people often report a deep sense of relaxation after a session. In some cases, this may be experienced as increased energy levels and calmness. In others, it may manifest as a greater sense of connection or awareness with the body as a whole, or of the specific areas addressed during the session. Some people simply notice a greater overall sense of balance.
Each session is unique, and every body processes and integrates change at its own pace and its own way.
In some cases, a single session may be sufficient to address a dysfunction or imbalance, while in other cases, a series of follow-up sessions may be required.
So, following up a session, it is generally best to allow some time to observe and evaluate how your body feels different. From there, you can then decide what might be more beneficial as a next step, and when to schedule your next session. Trust that your body knows best.
