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CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY :
Based in osteopathy,
CST was originally developed by physician John E. Upledger at Michigan
State University after an eight year study as a professor of biomechanics.
Dr. William Sutherland had pioneered the idea through his work in
cranial osteopathy. Dr. Upledger was assisting with a neck surgery
when he noticed rhythmic movement of a system later to become known
as the craiosacral system. CST evaluates and helps the functioning
of the craniosacral system-the membranes and fluid-that surround the
spinal cord and brain.
Using extremely light pressure on the head, restrictions are released
in order to improve the central nervous system flow and function by
feeling the rhythm of the cranioscaral system. This method is used
as a holistic and preventative approach to healing and preventing
central nervous system problems and is particularly helpful ion alleviating
the pain and even the cause of migraines, chronic neck and back pain,
and motor coordination problems. This theory and resulting techniques
have also been reported as having a positive effect on relieving colic
in infants and chronic fatigue.
Practitioners of craniosacral therapy claim to be able to locate and
release what are referred to as energy cysts, where energy has built
up and then become blocked, as in neck pain from holding ones neck
at a particular angle all day at work. This has proven to be an extremely
effective and powerful technique, and can cause the recipient to relive
all sorts of past injuries, emotional as well as physical. Suppressed
emotions inhibit structural releases, so uncontrollable emotional
outbursts-such as crying- are common during therapy. An experienced
and reputable carniosacral therapist will have the skills to help
you move through these memories and sensations and out the other side
of them. He/she will be able to listen attentively and remind you
that whatever caused the pain in the past is no longer present in
the future. Once everything is unblocked and realigned, the patient
may exhibit better listening and memory, comprehension skills.
What will happen at your session? Wear loose clothing and feel free
to remove your shoes. You will lie on a massage table and the lights
will be dimmed. The therapist will typically sit at your head first,
and place their finger lightly on either side of your temples. It
is quiet and you must lie still, they are listening. They will pick
up the tension in your temples or a clenched jaw line. They will then
move down to your torso and work their way to your feet. What sensations
you may experience during the session will be unique to each individual,
but typically you will relax to the point of falling asleep. You may
even begin to recall hidden memories and express emotion, as previously
described.
Many sessions use other types of therapy to help strengthen the system.
Chiropractic is often used to realign the spine, relieving pressure
all the way to the clenched jaw, or acupressure or acupuncture is
used to help increase the chi flow. This entirely holistic approach
to cure and prevention of the body's ailments is fast becoming an
increasingly popular alternative to conventional methods of physical
care wherein only pain pills are prescribed or invasive surgery with
long convalescent post op care is required. Unfortunately, most medical
coverage, although beginning to change its opinion of alternative
medicine, still does not cover most holistic care therapies. Acupuncture,
massage and chiropractic were the leading therapies to be covered
by health insurance.
There are certain conditions where the therapies of CST are not especially
helpful. These include conditions where varietal increases in brain
pressure would not enable the ailment to dissipate. Acute aneurysm,
cerebral hemorrhage or severe bleeding disorders can be worsened through
CST therapy and should be referred out to another practitioner. If
you elect to see a CST provider, your number of sessions will vary
with the severity of your disorder, usually 2-3 treatments a week
for several weeks is the average length of therapy.
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