Craniosacral therapy is a gentle full body treatment that prompts the body to self-correct. It is a type of energy work, rooted in osteopathy and works with the central nervous system and its fascia. Throughout the treatment the client is fully dressed while the practitioner uses very gentle pressure to assess the craniosacral rhythm and for treatment. While the craniosacral rhythm can be felt and assessed throughout the body, treatment is focused on the cranial bones, sacrum, diaphram.
The craniosacral system consists of the brain, spinal cord, and three layers of fascial. The outermost layer being the dural layer and the toughest of the three. Where the dura encompasses the spinal cord it’s called the dura tube and its only anchoring points are at the sacrum and the first cervical vertebrae. Because of these two anchoring points the cerebral spinal fluid located between two layers of fascia in the subarachnoid space can flex and extend. That circular movement of flexion and extension of the cerebral spinal fluid is the craniosacral rhythm.
Receiving a craniosacral treatment should feel very relaxing, like other energy treatments such as reiki or other practices like grounding and meditation. The aim is to help calm the sympathetic nervous system taking the client out of a state of fight or flight, stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system allowing for rest and recovery.
Craniosacral therapy has been shown to help improve chronic pain, sleep, migraines, TMJ dysfunction, concussion, and lower stress. But if you are someone who is looking for a gentler style of bodywork, need help turning your brain off for a moment or enjoys energy work this treatment might be for you.
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