What is Cranio Sacral Therapy?

While the validity of the cardiovascular and respiratory rhythms is undisputed today, for eons the very existences of these systems sparked debates in medical communities around the globe.

Now for nearly 30 years, osteopathic physician and researcher John E. Upledger, D.O., O.M.M. has been a proponent of using the rhythm of another body system, the cranio sacral system, to enhance body functioning and help alleviate pain and discomfort.

The cranio sacral system consists of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. It extents from the bones of the skull, face and mouth, which make up the cranium, down to the sacrum or tailbone area.

Since this vital system influences the development and performance of the brain and spinal cord, an imbalance or restriction in it could potentially cause any number of sensory, motor or neurological disabilities. These problems could include chronic pain, eye difficulties, scoliosis, motor-coordination impairments, learning disabilities and other health challenges.

Cranio Sacral Therapy is a gentle method of detection and correction that encourages your own natural healing mechanisms to dissipate these negative effects of stress on your central nervous system. You also benefit from better overall health and resistance to disease.

What Conditions Does Cranio Sacral Therapy Address?

Cranio Sacral Therapy strengthens your body's ability to take better care of you. It helps alleviate a range of illness pain and dysfunction including:

How Is Cranio Sacral Therapy Performed?

Cranio Sacral Therapy is performed on a person fully clothed individual. Using a light touch, generally no more than the weight of a nickel, the practitioner monitors the rhythm of the cranio sacral system to detect potential restrictions and imbalances. The therapist then uses delicate manual techniques to release those problem areas and relieve undue pressure on the brain and spinal cord.

A Cranio Sacral Therapy session can last from about 15 minutes to more than an hour, and it can be used alone or in conjunction with other therapeutic procedures.

The result? A central nervous system free of restrictions. And a body that's able to return to its greatest levels of performance.

Who Can Perform Cranio Sacral Therapy?

Because of its positive effect on so many body functions Cranio Sacral Therapy is practiced today by a wide variety of healthcare professionals. They include osteopathic physicians, allopathic physicians, doctors of chiropractic, doctors of oriental medicine, naturopathic physicians, nurses, psychiatric specialists, psychologists, dentists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, acupuncturists, massage therapist and other professional bodyworkers.

How Did Cranio Sacral Therapy Begin?

Cranio Sacral Therapy dates back to 1970 when osteopathic physician John E. Upledger first witnessed the rhythmic movement of the cranio sacral system during a spinal surgery. Yet none of his colleagues nor medical texts could explain the phenomenon.

Two years later, Dr. Upledger attended a short course on cranial osteopathy developed by Dr .William Sutherland. The course focused on the bones of the skull and the fact - surprising at the time - that they weren't fused as doctors had been taught in medical school. Instead Sutherland's material demonstrated that skull bones continue to move through a persons life.

Putting this new information together with the odd pulsing rhythm he'd observed years before, Dr. Upledger theorized that a hydraulic system of sorts was functioning inside the craniosacral system. He then set out to confirm his theories.

In 1975 he joined the osteopathic college at Michigan State University as a clinical researcher and professor of biomechanics. There he led a team of anatomists, physiologists, biophysicists and bioengineers to test and document the influence of therapy on the cranio sacral system. For the first time they were able to explain the functions of the cranio sacral system and demonstrate how light-touch therapy could be used to evaluate and treat malfunctions involving the brain and spinal cord.

In 1985, Dr. Upledger went on to establish the Upledger Institute to teach the public and healthcare practitioners about the benefits of Cranio Sacral Therapy. To date, The Upledger Institute has trained more than 80,000 healthcare practitioners worldwide in the use of Cranio Sacral Therapy.

How Can I Learn More About Cranio Sacral Therapy?

Cranio Sacral Therapy is taught through the Upledger Institute, a health resource center dedicated to the advancement of innovative techniques that complement conventional care. It's recognized worldwide for its groundbreaking continuing education programs, clinical research and therapeutic services.

To Learn More about Cranio Sacral Therapy and how it can help you, visit www.upledger.com You'll find plenty of news and information, from the latest applications of Cranio Sacral Therapy to healthcare products and therapist profiles.

Cranio Sacral Therapy Rates: